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The Lightning Girl: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 8 Dec 26A woman searches for answers about a decades-old missing persons case in this unputdownable suspense novel from “an exciting new voice in the field of chilling thrillers” (Alex North, New York Times bestselling author) that is perfect for fans of Jennifer McMahon and Ruth Ware.
Thirty years ago, Sarah’s best friend Genevieve survived being struck by lightning. Already a self-proclaimed witch, she insisted the lightning gave her powers. A teenager’s sense of exaggeration, Sarah thought at the time. Now, returning to her coastal hometown after a lifetime away, Sarah finds herself thinking about her friend more and more, especially the night she was last seen alive. Genevieve survived the lightning strike but met her end when she fell from a cliff into an unforgiving sea. Or did she?
After a terrifying vision of her dead best friend, Sarah begins to question the story she’s believed for so many years. As she searches both her memory of that night on the cliff and uncovers new evidence that suggests Genevieve may have survived the fall, Sarah becomes determined to uncover the truth about what took place three decades ago. Because if her best friend didn’t die that night after all, what did happen to her?
Thirty years ago, Sarah’s best friend Genevieve survived being struck by lightning. Already a self-proclaimed witch, she insisted the lightning gave her powers. A teenager’s sense of exaggeration, Sarah thought at the time. Now, returning to her coastal hometown after a lifetime away, Sarah finds herself thinking about her friend more and more, especially the night she was last seen alive. Genevieve survived the lightning strike but met her end when she fell from a cliff into an unforgiving sea. Or did she?
After a terrifying vision of her dead best friend, Sarah begins to question the story she’s believed for so many years. As she searches both her memory of that night on the cliff and uncovers new evidence that suggests Genevieve may have survived the fall, Sarah becomes determined to uncover the truth about what took place three decades ago. Because if her best friend didn’t die that night after all, what did happen to her?
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication December 8, 2026
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February 6, 2026What sea sad about
its union one
from tower of sun search about y
light take showl over freedom
we have our power over death
what the sad of earth or sand
we feel and talk over death wall
our soul bridg make parphan of jasmin
soul talked about hidden foot step and breath
about jump clife
about cold sea
we find other over many eyes
we tird from painful heart
find y my soulmat
its union one
from tower of sun search about y
light take showl over freedom
we have our power over death
what the sad of earth or sand
we feel and talk over death wall
our soul bridg make parphan of jasmin
soul talked about hidden foot step and breath
about jump clife
about cold sea
we find other over many eyes
we tird from painful heart
find y my soulmat
November 26, 2025
I feel like this book has amazing potential but the ending fell short for me. I was kinda lost at what happened. I love the twists and turns I never expected. Half way through the book my jaw literally dropped at one of the twists. I also think the chapter with the podcast could be edited better to depict who is talking because it seemed jumbled up.
Great potential for an amazing thriller novel. Just didn’t completely hit in certain places for me.
Great potential for an amazing thriller novel. Just didn’t completely hit in certain places for me.
January 15, 2026
Mini-Review: Not for me, in part because it felt like three different novels in one: A novel about a woman's unravelling, a podcast thriller, and then a naughty narrator breakneck-paced novel. The core store of the girl who was struck by lightning was ultimately far too irrelevant to the story, and the novel's final few twists didn't pay off for me. Had the novel ended at its second to last chapter, I would've been far more satisfied.
A huge thank you to Atria Books for my gifted copy!
A huge thank you to Atria Books for my gifted copy!
December 10, 2025
This had a lot of different vibes and thriller tropes written into one: The Sixth Sense, The Lovely Bones, and Charlie St. Cloud. There were many twists and turns written into this book, and while I found myself really intrigued at finally learning what happened to Gen, I felt underwhelmed by the ending.
September 7, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley, Sam Ripley and Atria Books for an ARC/widget of this book. Unfortunately, I found this storyline very slow and confusing - it felt like 3 books in one. I literally stopped at one point and thought I missed some major event in the book. The lightning girl storyline seemed to have minimal relevance throughout most of the book. While I do love and appreciate an ARC/widget, this was not for me.
January 12, 2026
3093 pages in 45K goal
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster & the author, Sam Ripley for the advanced copy of the ebook.
The Lighting Girl is a psychological thriller centered on a woman who returns to her coastal hometown and investigates the decades-old disappearance of her best friend, who was once known as "the lightning girl" after surviving a lightning strike.
The story follows Sarah, who, after years away, moves back to her hometown for a fresh start with her son. Her return brings back haunting memories of her teenage best friend, Genevieve (Gen), who was struck by lightning and subsequently vanished under mysterious circumstances thirty years prior.
I like a good whodunnit and this one had me guessing until the very end. There are also some surprises along the way (I won’t give any away here). I’m new to the author but I would read more of this kind of book. It was easy to read, easy to understand and to follow along.
Solid 3 stars.
Thanks again to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster and the author.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster & the author, Sam Ripley for the advanced copy of the ebook.
The Lighting Girl is a psychological thriller centered on a woman who returns to her coastal hometown and investigates the decades-old disappearance of her best friend, who was once known as "the lightning girl" after surviving a lightning strike.
The story follows Sarah, who, after years away, moves back to her hometown for a fresh start with her son. Her return brings back haunting memories of her teenage best friend, Genevieve (Gen), who was struck by lightning and subsequently vanished under mysterious circumstances thirty years prior.
I like a good whodunnit and this one had me guessing until the very end. There are also some surprises along the way (I won’t give any away here). I’m new to the author but I would read more of this kind of book. It was easy to read, easy to understand and to follow along.
Solid 3 stars.
Thanks again to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster and the author.
Did Not Finish
October 26, 2026Made it a quarter of the way in. The author struggled to capture the mind of a forty something year old woman, and the story felt artificially induced instead of naturally unfolding. As a result I couldn’t raise much interest for this story or its characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cold Case Redux
A review of the NetGalley ARC eBook of the Atria / Emily Bestler paperback/eBook/audiobook to be published December 8, 2026.
This one goes off on so many different tangents and subgenres that it is hard to imagine what sort of audience it will appeal to. It goes through everything from a return to the past, ghosts or hallucinations, unreliable narrator or psychotic breakdown, dead or missing girl, can you survive a lightning strike, witchcraft or delusion, cold case podcast investigation, serial killer or innocent frameup, vigilante revenge fantasy, until the final shocking flashback reveal.
Sarah Whitehouse returns to her childhood home after 30 years. She is there in order to organize a house sale after the death of her father. Her teenage son Herry* (an irritating nickname choice, every time I saw it I kept thinking it was a typo for Harry or Henry) is along to help out. The location brings back memories of the disappearance of Sarah's childhood best friend Gen (Genevieve) when they were both 17 years-old. Gen had been the survivor of a lightning strike and became convinced she had supernatural witching powers afterwards. Through misadventure, Gen had fallen off a cliffside into the sea and was never seen again. But did she perhaps survive the fall and instead become the victim of a murderer?
I have to imagine this is a very early ARC for a book that is still in the process of being edited. There were still a dozen or so obvious typos which copy editors should have easily corrected. The NetGalley ARC preview will be archived as of July 28, 2026 but the book isn't scheduled to be published until December 8, 2026. Perhaps the final version will make for a more satisfying read. Unfortunately I can't get this into 2 star OK, or 3 star Like territory as it stands. Its meandering nature makes for a 1.5 at best.
My thanks to Atria / Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance ARC copy for which I provide this honest review.
Footnote
* Herry is a nickname for Hereward, a name of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "Guardian of the Army." It is most famously associated with Hereward the Wake (c. 1035 - c. 1072) who fought against the Norman conquest of England. See further background information at First Names.
Soundtrack
I've used it before, but again I couldn't help but think of Hole's rather fierce cover of Donovan's Season of the Witch (orig. 1966) from their rarities album My Body, the Hand Grenade (1997) which you can listen to on YouTube here. The album does not appear to be officially available on Spotify, but a fan has assembled a playlist of some of the available tracks (without Season of the Witch) which you can listen to here.
Trivia and Link
Sam Ripley is the pseudonym of an unidentified author whose only previous novel under that name was The Rule of Three (2024). The publisher's publicity material says that "Sam Ripley is the pseudonym of a bestselling thriller author from the United Kingdom who has sold over a million copies internationally." I am going to guess that those previous sellers were in the YA category as the flashback scenes in The Lightning Girl were very teenage angsty.
A review of the NetGalley ARC eBook of the Atria / Emily Bestler paperback/eBook/audiobook to be published December 8, 2026.
This one goes off on so many different tangents and subgenres that it is hard to imagine what sort of audience it will appeal to. It goes through everything from a return to the past, ghosts or hallucinations, unreliable narrator or psychotic breakdown, dead or missing girl, can you survive a lightning strike, witchcraft or delusion, cold case podcast investigation, serial killer or innocent frameup, vigilante revenge fantasy, until the final shocking flashback reveal.
Sarah Whitehouse returns to her childhood home after 30 years. She is there in order to organize a house sale after the death of her father. Her teenage son Herry* (an irritating nickname choice, every time I saw it I kept thinking it was a typo for Harry or Henry) is along to help out. The location brings back memories of the disappearance of Sarah's childhood best friend Gen (Genevieve) when they were both 17 years-old. Gen had been the survivor of a lightning strike and became convinced she had supernatural witching powers afterwards. Through misadventure, Gen had fallen off a cliffside into the sea and was never seen again. But did she perhaps survive the fall and instead become the victim of a murderer?
I have to imagine this is a very early ARC for a book that is still in the process of being edited. There were still a dozen or so obvious typos which copy editors should have easily corrected. The NetGalley ARC preview will be archived as of July 28, 2026 but the book isn't scheduled to be published until December 8, 2026. Perhaps the final version will make for a more satisfying read. Unfortunately I can't get this into 2 star OK, or 3 star Like territory as it stands. Its meandering nature makes for a 1.5 at best.
My thanks to Atria / Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance ARC copy for which I provide this honest review.
Footnote
* Herry is a nickname for Hereward, a name of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "Guardian of the Army." It is most famously associated with Hereward the Wake (c. 1035 - c. 1072) who fought against the Norman conquest of England. See further background information at First Names.
Soundtrack
I've used it before, but again I couldn't help but think of Hole's rather fierce cover of Donovan's Season of the Witch (orig. 1966) from their rarities album My Body, the Hand Grenade (1997) which you can listen to on YouTube here. The album does not appear to be officially available on Spotify, but a fan has assembled a playlist of some of the available tracks (without Season of the Witch) which you can listen to here.
Trivia and Link
Sam Ripley is the pseudonym of an unidentified author whose only previous novel under that name was The Rule of Three (2024). The publisher's publicity material says that "Sam Ripley is the pseudonym of a bestselling thriller author from the United Kingdom who has sold over a million copies internationally." I am going to guess that those previous sellers were in the YA category as the flashback scenes in The Lightning Girl were very teenage angsty.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Dec. 8, 2026
Sarah’s best friend, Genevieve, was struck by lightning when they were both teenagers- and survived. After that, she believed she was unable to die, casting spells and putting her faith in the occult and witchcraft. Sarah went along with it, mostly to humor Gen, but when Gen disappeared, presumed drowned, that summer, it was obvious to everyone that Gen was human, just like everyone else, and Sarah was left alone with her grief. Now, she returns to the hometown she fled years ago to help sell her ailing father’s home and, after a haunting vision from her deceased best friend, Sarah decides to take it upon herself to find out what really happened that night.
Sam Ripley’s novel, “The Lightning Girl: A Novel” was interesting and unique, well-written with a likable, if unstable, protagonist.
The novel was divided into several parts, all narrated by Sarah. There are many components in “Girl”, the grief and loss suffered by Sarah, the mystery of Gen’s disappearance and the supernatural visions Sarah experiences and they were all intriguing in their own way, even if they all weren’t necessary to the plot. Although the components meshed well, there were portions of the story when I felt like I had missed something, as Sarah was an unreliable narrator for most of the novel. Initially, Sarah starts having visions of her best friend and then, as the novel goes on, it’s discovered that visions are not new to Sarah and that she has been suffering them, alongside a diagnosed mental illness, for most of her life, but we don’t get too much detail on the background. Are the visions of Gen prophetic or are they signs that her mental illness is taking over? I wanted more about Sarah’s visions and about how they came to be, but seeing Gen helped Sarah get to the bottom of what happened, so they were helpful to the plot.
The story takes place primarily in the present, with Sarah investigating Gen’s disappearance, but the reader is also taken back to Sarah and Gen’s high school days, leading up to the day of her supposed drowning. This helped with defining the characters and their influential friendship, as well as adding important details to the mystery.
The ending was predictable but haunting, and the final twists were suspenseful, when it came to revealing the suspects’ identity. However, what actually happened to Gen is more complex, as is revealed in the final pages. I liked the novel overall and found the story engaging and suspenseful. I still felt like some story elements were missing and I wanted more background on Sarah and Gen’s friendship, and Sarah’s life before returning to her hometown. “Girl” will appeal to YA readers who enjoy who-dunnits with a supernatural component.
Expected publication date: Dec. 8, 2026
Sarah’s best friend, Genevieve, was struck by lightning when they were both teenagers- and survived. After that, she believed she was unable to die, casting spells and putting her faith in the occult and witchcraft. Sarah went along with it, mostly to humor Gen, but when Gen disappeared, presumed drowned, that summer, it was obvious to everyone that Gen was human, just like everyone else, and Sarah was left alone with her grief. Now, she returns to the hometown she fled years ago to help sell her ailing father’s home and, after a haunting vision from her deceased best friend, Sarah decides to take it upon herself to find out what really happened that night.
Sam Ripley’s novel, “The Lightning Girl: A Novel” was interesting and unique, well-written with a likable, if unstable, protagonist.
The novel was divided into several parts, all narrated by Sarah. There are many components in “Girl”, the grief and loss suffered by Sarah, the mystery of Gen’s disappearance and the supernatural visions Sarah experiences and they were all intriguing in their own way, even if they all weren’t necessary to the plot. Although the components meshed well, there were portions of the story when I felt like I had missed something, as Sarah was an unreliable narrator for most of the novel. Initially, Sarah starts having visions of her best friend and then, as the novel goes on, it’s discovered that visions are not new to Sarah and that she has been suffering them, alongside a diagnosed mental illness, for most of her life, but we don’t get too much detail on the background. Are the visions of Gen prophetic or are they signs that her mental illness is taking over? I wanted more about Sarah’s visions and about how they came to be, but seeing Gen helped Sarah get to the bottom of what happened, so they were helpful to the plot.
The story takes place primarily in the present, with Sarah investigating Gen’s disappearance, but the reader is also taken back to Sarah and Gen’s high school days, leading up to the day of her supposed drowning. This helped with defining the characters and their influential friendship, as well as adding important details to the mystery.
The ending was predictable but haunting, and the final twists were suspenseful, when it came to revealing the suspects’ identity. However, what actually happened to Gen is more complex, as is revealed in the final pages. I liked the novel overall and found the story engaging and suspenseful. I still felt like some story elements were missing and I wanted more background on Sarah and Gen’s friendship, and Sarah’s life before returning to her hometown. “Girl” will appeal to YA readers who enjoy who-dunnits with a supernatural component.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What if the friend you spent years mourning wasn't who you thought she was?
When Sarah returns to her hometown after her father's death, she finds herself drawn back into the mystery that has haunted her since childhood: the death of her best friend, Gen. Officially, Gen died after falling from a cliff years ago. Sarah has never fully accepted that explanation, and as she settles her father's estate, old memories and old questions begin resurfacing. The deeper she digs, the less certain she becomes about what really happened.
This was a solid four-star read for me. The biggest strength of the novel is the mystery itself. For most of the book, I genuinely had no idea what happened to Gen. Was she murdered? If so, by whom? A suspected serial killer? The groundskeeper? Someone else entirely? It kept me guessing.
I also appreciated how unsettled the book made me feel. Not frightened exactly, but disconcerted. That's a quality I enjoy in a thriller. Sarah starts out as a narrator I trusted completely, but as the story unfolds, I found myself questioning her perceptions and interpretations of events. The uncertainty added another layer to the mystery and kept me engaged.
Sarah was my favorite character. Even during the moments when I thought she might be a few fries short of a Happy Meal, I still liked her and wanted answers right alongside her. Her grief over both her father and Gen felt genuine, and her determination to uncover the truth kept the story moving.
The supernatural elements worked better for me than I expected. Personally, I'm not fully convinced that talking to dead people is a thing, and there were moments that earned a little eye roll from me. On the other hand, the ambiguity surrounding those experiences added to the novel's uneasy atmosphere. Whether the explanations were supernatural, psychological, or something in between, they helped create a constant feeling that something wasn't quite right.
The pacing is steady, with enough twists and revelations to keep the pages turning. While this wasn't one of those books that kept me awake far past bedtime, it was consistently entertaining and rarely made me roll my eyes ... a compliment thriller readers will understand.
Readers who enjoy mystery thrillers with psychological suspense, unreliable narrators, and a touch of supernatural ambiguity will likely find a lot to enjoy here.
Content warnings: murder, violence against women, grief, death of a parent, and discussions of a possible serial killer.
Overall, The Lightning Girl delivers a compelling mystery, memorable twists, and an unsettling atmosphere that kept me guessing until the end. I am already recommending it to my friends. A special thank you to Atria for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Sarah returns to her hometown after her father's death, she finds herself drawn back into the mystery that has haunted her since childhood: the death of her best friend, Gen. Officially, Gen died after falling from a cliff years ago. Sarah has never fully accepted that explanation, and as she settles her father's estate, old memories and old questions begin resurfacing. The deeper she digs, the less certain she becomes about what really happened.
This was a solid four-star read for me. The biggest strength of the novel is the mystery itself. For most of the book, I genuinely had no idea what happened to Gen. Was she murdered? If so, by whom? A suspected serial killer? The groundskeeper? Someone else entirely? It kept me guessing.
I also appreciated how unsettled the book made me feel. Not frightened exactly, but disconcerted. That's a quality I enjoy in a thriller. Sarah starts out as a narrator I trusted completely, but as the story unfolds, I found myself questioning her perceptions and interpretations of events. The uncertainty added another layer to the mystery and kept me engaged.
Sarah was my favorite character. Even during the moments when I thought she might be a few fries short of a Happy Meal, I still liked her and wanted answers right alongside her. Her grief over both her father and Gen felt genuine, and her determination to uncover the truth kept the story moving.
The supernatural elements worked better for me than I expected. Personally, I'm not fully convinced that talking to dead people is a thing, and there were moments that earned a little eye roll from me. On the other hand, the ambiguity surrounding those experiences added to the novel's uneasy atmosphere. Whether the explanations were supernatural, psychological, or something in between, they helped create a constant feeling that something wasn't quite right.
The pacing is steady, with enough twists and revelations to keep the pages turning. While this wasn't one of those books that kept me awake far past bedtime, it was consistently entertaining and rarely made me roll my eyes ... a compliment thriller readers will understand.
Readers who enjoy mystery thrillers with psychological suspense, unreliable narrators, and a touch of supernatural ambiguity will likely find a lot to enjoy here.
Content warnings: murder, violence against women, grief, death of a parent, and discussions of a possible serial killer.
Overall, The Lightning Girl delivers a compelling mystery, memorable twists, and an unsettling atmosphere that kept me guessing until the end. I am already recommending it to my friends. A special thank you to Atria for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you @atriabooks & Emily Bestler Books #AtriaInfluencers for the ARC of this book and @Netgalley for the e-ARC...this is my honest review.
📱📖 The Lightning Girl 📖📱
Author: Sam Ripley
Pub Date: December 8, 2026
Publisher: Emily Bestler Books | Atria Books
MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you haven't yet read a book from Sam Ripley, you have simply GOT to get on it! The Lightning Girl, his upcoming read from Emily Bestler Books & Atria Books, was a tension-filled and relentlessly suspenseful thriller that had me enthralled in its story. I'm baffled by the lower ratings because this book blew my mind!
Immediately, the prologue had me intrigued! The book starts off with a slow-burning atmospheric vibe, a creepy house, a remote setting, and a traumatic past that the main character, Sarah, has tried to forget for decades. See, Sarah's childhood best friend Gen died tragically as a teenager when she fell from a cliff into the sea below, mere feet away from Sarah, who couldn't stop it from happening. Sarah left her hometown as soon as she turned 18 and never looked back, but when her father dies, she has to return to clean out the hoard in his house so she can sell it and move on with her life. However, Sarah's return home forces her to face her past, and she's determined to figure out what really happened to her best friend all those years ago.
The story is told in short chapters, which keeps the pacing consistent. What started out feeling like a potential supernatural thriller became a cold case mystery with serial killer undertones. Sarah gave off major unreliable narrator vibes, and when a massive twist is revealed halfway through the book, it flipped everything I thought I knew upside down. From there, the tension amped up and the pacing began to quicken. The more I read, the more I didn't want to put the book down till I had all the answers. At one point, I swear to God my heart was beating so fast I thought it would beat right out of my chest. The last third of this book was really intense, breathtakingly suspenseful, and left me utterly gobsmacked.
In my opinion, Ripley only seems capable of writing spellbinding thrillers that keep the reader riveted with tension-building storytelling and unexpected plot twists with every turn of the page. The Lightning Girl is not to be missed -- trust me when I tell you to add it to your TBR... Yes, like right now. (You can thank me later😉)
#TheLightningGirl #SamRipley #AtriaBooks #EmilyBestlerBooks #AtriaInfluencers #ARC #Netgalley #fivestarreads #MUSTREADS #thrillerreads #thrilleraddict #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
📱📖 The Lightning Girl 📖📱
Author: Sam Ripley
Pub Date: December 8, 2026
Publisher: Emily Bestler Books | Atria Books
MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you haven't yet read a book from Sam Ripley, you have simply GOT to get on it! The Lightning Girl, his upcoming read from Emily Bestler Books & Atria Books, was a tension-filled and relentlessly suspenseful thriller that had me enthralled in its story. I'm baffled by the lower ratings because this book blew my mind!
Immediately, the prologue had me intrigued! The book starts off with a slow-burning atmospheric vibe, a creepy house, a remote setting, and a traumatic past that the main character, Sarah, has tried to forget for decades. See, Sarah's childhood best friend Gen died tragically as a teenager when she fell from a cliff into the sea below, mere feet away from Sarah, who couldn't stop it from happening. Sarah left her hometown as soon as she turned 18 and never looked back, but when her father dies, she has to return to clean out the hoard in his house so she can sell it and move on with her life. However, Sarah's return home forces her to face her past, and she's determined to figure out what really happened to her best friend all those years ago.
The story is told in short chapters, which keeps the pacing consistent. What started out feeling like a potential supernatural thriller became a cold case mystery with serial killer undertones. Sarah gave off major unreliable narrator vibes, and when a massive twist is revealed halfway through the book, it flipped everything I thought I knew upside down. From there, the tension amped up and the pacing began to quicken. The more I read, the more I didn't want to put the book down till I had all the answers. At one point, I swear to God my heart was beating so fast I thought it would beat right out of my chest. The last third of this book was really intense, breathtakingly suspenseful, and left me utterly gobsmacked.
In my opinion, Ripley only seems capable of writing spellbinding thrillers that keep the reader riveted with tension-building storytelling and unexpected plot twists with every turn of the page. The Lightning Girl is not to be missed -- trust me when I tell you to add it to your TBR... Yes, like right now. (You can thank me later😉)
#TheLightningGirl #SamRipley #AtriaBooks #EmilyBestlerBooks #AtriaInfluencers #ARC #Netgalley #fivestarreads #MUSTREADS #thrillerreads #thrilleraddict #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Lightning Girl.
I wasn't sure what to expect from the premise so I went into it with an open mind.
When will I ever learn?
** Minor confusing non-spoilers ahead **
Sarah Whitehouse returns to her childhood home after 30 years to prepare to sell her deceased father's house, bringing along her teenage son—unfortunately nicknamed “Herry,” which reads like a typo every time.
Naturally, the visit dredges up the long-unsolved disappearance of her childhood best friend, Genevieve aka Gen, who survived a lightning strike as a teen and became convinced she had supernatural powers before falling off a cliff and vanishing.
Her body was never found.
Did she survive or was she murdered?
The book juggles several themes—witchcraft, curses, a cliche one-sided friendship, mental health and psychosis, a ghostly presence, and a turn into a police-procedural/podcast-led investigation—but never focuses on a theme.
Gen is the interesting character so, of course, she's gone (kind of), while Sarah, the sidekick, struggles to find footing both in memory and in the plot.
She's not interesting and is struggling with mental illness and past trauma herself.
I love police procedurals but here the procedural elements felt convenient (including a conveniently timed suspect released from prison), and the witchcraft thread reads like a teenage-friendship similar to The Craft, but just added for a supernatural touch.
I would have preferred a straightforward premise like The Craft.
The narrative took too long to get to the point and left me wondering—what is this story really about?
Is it about a failed friendship, a jealous love triangle, or a mystery?
The book hints at all of these but everything is left hanging even after Sarah discovers what truly happened to Gen.
There are plenty of red herrings, shady characters, and an unreliable narrator - Sarah.
The ARC contains numerous typos, which is understandable but nonetheless distracting.
There were too many themes and supernatural-like elements going on so the narrative was very messy.
I was annoyed and frustrated after I finished this.
I should have just watched The Craft instead.
I wasn't sure what to expect from the premise so I went into it with an open mind.
When will I ever learn?
** Minor confusing non-spoilers ahead **
Sarah Whitehouse returns to her childhood home after 30 years to prepare to sell her deceased father's house, bringing along her teenage son—unfortunately nicknamed “Herry,” which reads like a typo every time.
Naturally, the visit dredges up the long-unsolved disappearance of her childhood best friend, Genevieve aka Gen, who survived a lightning strike as a teen and became convinced she had supernatural powers before falling off a cliff and vanishing.
Her body was never found.
Did she survive or was she murdered?
The book juggles several themes—witchcraft, curses, a cliche one-sided friendship, mental health and psychosis, a ghostly presence, and a turn into a police-procedural/podcast-led investigation—but never focuses on a theme.
Gen is the interesting character so, of course, she's gone (kind of), while Sarah, the sidekick, struggles to find footing both in memory and in the plot.
She's not interesting and is struggling with mental illness and past trauma herself.
I love police procedurals but here the procedural elements felt convenient (including a conveniently timed suspect released from prison), and the witchcraft thread reads like a teenage-friendship similar to The Craft, but just added for a supernatural touch.
I would have preferred a straightforward premise like The Craft.
The narrative took too long to get to the point and left me wondering—what is this story really about?
Is it about a failed friendship, a jealous love triangle, or a mystery?
The book hints at all of these but everything is left hanging even after Sarah discovers what truly happened to Gen.
There are plenty of red herrings, shady characters, and an unreliable narrator - Sarah.
The ARC contains numerous typos, which is understandable but nonetheless distracting.
There were too many themes and supernatural-like elements going on so the narrative was very messy.
I was annoyed and frustrated after I finished this.
I should have just watched The Craft instead.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Lightning Girl by Sam Ripley is a chilling, atmospheric suspense novel that lingers long after the final page. Blending past and present timelines with an undercurrent of the supernatural, this story delivers an emotionally charged mystery wrapped in coastal gloom and long-buried secrets.
Thirty years ago, Genevieve survived a lightning strike and claimed it awakened powers within her. As teenagers, it was easy to dismiss her proclamations as dramatic exaggeration. But when Sarah returns to her seaside hometown decades later, memories of that night—and of Genevieve’s supposed fatal fall from the cliffs—resurface with haunting intensity. After experiencing a terrifying vision of her long-dead best friend, Sarah begins to question everything she thought she knew.
Ripley excels at building atmosphere. The coastal setting feels wild and unforgiving, mirroring the emotional turbulence beneath the surface of the town’s carefully kept history. The sense of unease grows steadily as Sarah revisits old relationships, confronts fractured memories, and uncovers details that suggest Genevieve may not have died that night after all.
What makes this novel especially compelling is the ambiguity woven throughout. Is there something supernatural at play, or is grief reshaping memory? The tension between rational explanation and eerie possibility keeps the pages turning. The exploration of friendship, guilt, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive adds emotional weight to the mystery.
The pacing is deliberate but rewarding, with a slow-burn build that crescendos into satisfying revelations. Fans of moody, character-driven suspense with a whisper of the uncanny will find much to love here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thirty years ago, Genevieve survived a lightning strike and claimed it awakened powers within her. As teenagers, it was easy to dismiss her proclamations as dramatic exaggeration. But when Sarah returns to her seaside hometown decades later, memories of that night—and of Genevieve’s supposed fatal fall from the cliffs—resurface with haunting intensity. After experiencing a terrifying vision of her long-dead best friend, Sarah begins to question everything she thought she knew.
Ripley excels at building atmosphere. The coastal setting feels wild and unforgiving, mirroring the emotional turbulence beneath the surface of the town’s carefully kept history. The sense of unease grows steadily as Sarah revisits old relationships, confronts fractured memories, and uncovers details that suggest Genevieve may not have died that night after all.
What makes this novel especially compelling is the ambiguity woven throughout. Is there something supernatural at play, or is grief reshaping memory? The tension between rational explanation and eerie possibility keeps the pages turning. The exploration of friendship, guilt, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive adds emotional weight to the mystery.
The pacing is deliberate but rewarding, with a slow-burn build that crescendos into satisfying revelations. Fans of moody, character-driven suspense with a whisper of the uncanny will find much to love here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sarah returns to her hometown after her father’s death only to find that old memories of thirty years ago will haunt her. Her best friend Genevieve survived being struck by lightning had proclaimed to be a witch and that this event had given her power.
Till one night Genevieve slipped and fell of a cliff to the sea and met her end…she has never been recovered or seen since…..Where is she…..
Returning home, Sarah thinks more and more about her friend especially the last night she was alive. She begins to question the story she’s believed for many years …. Then Genevieve reached out…..and as readers we fall in a psychological tug of war…what is real and what is not……..
My thoughts:
I admit that after the first 5 chapters I didn’t think I would push on. Not really my style but lo and behold a was struck by a magical spell and from then on, I was hooked.
What a mystery this turn out to be. Gen keeps popping up and talking to Sarah. Not frightening but definitely disconcerting. What happened to Gen, was she murdered and by whom…. Gen will divulge tidbits to Sarah just enough to push her to uncover the truth and this goes on and on, a teaser well done till the very end. This uncertainty kept me engaged and questioning Sarah’s interpretations of events. I enjoyed this and played along.
Some may say there is a supernatural element here but I think it is more a psychological brain game. Guilty conscience plays tricks on you: Sarah sees and hears her friend and talks to her….but is she really there talking back.
The pacing is steady giving us enough twists and clues for us to keep turning the pages. Sarah is a good character as is the ghost Gen….
If you like a mystery with originality you may like this one. I know I did.
My thanks to Atria Books as well as Netgalley for this ARC
Till one night Genevieve slipped and fell of a cliff to the sea and met her end…she has never been recovered or seen since…..Where is she…..
Returning home, Sarah thinks more and more about her friend especially the last night she was alive. She begins to question the story she’s believed for many years …. Then Genevieve reached out…..and as readers we fall in a psychological tug of war…what is real and what is not……..
My thoughts:
I admit that after the first 5 chapters I didn’t think I would push on. Not really my style but lo and behold a was struck by a magical spell and from then on, I was hooked.
What a mystery this turn out to be. Gen keeps popping up and talking to Sarah. Not frightening but definitely disconcerting. What happened to Gen, was she murdered and by whom…. Gen will divulge tidbits to Sarah just enough to push her to uncover the truth and this goes on and on, a teaser well done till the very end. This uncertainty kept me engaged and questioning Sarah’s interpretations of events. I enjoyed this and played along.
Some may say there is a supernatural element here but I think it is more a psychological brain game. Guilty conscience plays tricks on you: Sarah sees and hears her friend and talks to her….but is she really there talking back.
The pacing is steady giving us enough twists and clues for us to keep turning the pages. Sarah is a good character as is the ghost Gen….
If you like a mystery with originality you may like this one. I know I did.
My thanks to Atria Books as well as Netgalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy
The Lightning Girl was not what I expected it to be but had an interesting premise, clever use of an unreliable narrator in places, and enough mystery to keep me curious about what was real and what had actually happened.
Whilst the premise had a lot of potential, I don't feel like the execution was the best. The prose was too confusing at times and I frequently had to stop and work out what something meant rather than simply being able to follow the story. The mixture of US and UK terminology especially with school setups also meant I wasn't able to place the story.
I didn't feel particularly connected to the characters, especially Sarah, though it did get easier to like her once I'd worked out what was going on. Some of the characters felt underwritten, and with so many of them to keep track of, I felt this sometimes took away from the story
I feel as though the author was trying too hard at times and there were too many tropes to get invested in the story. If it was pared back a little, with fewer characters and more explanation of some of them, I think it would have landed better for me. I also finished with questions about some fairly significant parts of the story that I would have liked to see explored further.
Overall, there was a lot here that I liked in theory. There were interesting ideas, and the unreliable-narrator mechanics had some clever moments. It was certainly better than some books I've read. But I didn't connect emotionally with the characters, the prose made the reading experience harder than it needed to be, the twists didn't land strongly, and I spent much of the second half skim-reading just to reach the resolution.
Whilst the premise had a lot of potential, I don't feel like the execution was the best. The prose was too confusing at times and I frequently had to stop and work out what something meant rather than simply being able to follow the story. The mixture of US and UK terminology especially with school setups also meant I wasn't able to place the story.
I didn't feel particularly connected to the characters, especially Sarah, though it did get easier to like her once I'd worked out what was going on. Some of the characters felt underwritten, and with so many of them to keep track of, I felt this sometimes took away from the story
I feel as though the author was trying too hard at times and there were too many tropes to get invested in the story. If it was pared back a little, with fewer characters and more explanation of some of them, I think it would have landed better for me. I also finished with questions about some fairly significant parts of the story that I would have liked to see explored further.
Overall, there was a lot here that I liked in theory. There were interesting ideas, and the unreliable-narrator mechanics had some clever moments. It was certainly better than some books I've read. But I didn't connect emotionally with the characters, the prose made the reading experience harder than it needed to be, the twists didn't land strongly, and I spent much of the second half skim-reading just to reach the resolution.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Welp, I unfortunately didn’t enjoy this one. I was so pleased to receive the complimentary eARC from Atria Books via NetGalley, as the premise looked so intriguing, but sadly, it just didn’t hit the mark.
This is a case of the author throwing everything under the kitchen sink into one story. I honestly don’t know what this book wanted to be. Without giving away any spoilers, there were so many different facets thrown into the mix that it gave me a bit of whiplash while reading. It was hard to connect with anything when the story kept going in so many different directions. Instead of focusing on the mystery at hand, I found myself checking how many pages I had left to read, which is never a good sign.
Now, while ARCs are generally in pretty good shape, they are uncorrected proofs, so they can still contain typos, formatting issues, and other editing problems. They may also go through several more rounds of revisions before publication. On a positive note, this could be a very different book by the time it hits shelves! However, the amount of copy editing that was still needed made it difficult to read and stay engaged, separate from my issues with the storyline itself.
I never hold editing issues against an ARC in my rating, as I understand these are early copies and things can change. But I did want to mention it here because, despite my best efforts, it genuinely impacted my reading experience. Unfortunately, the combination of a storyline that felt all over the place and the editing issues made this a frustrating read, especially when the premise had so much potential. I really wanted to enjoy this one, but it just wasn’t the book for me.
This is a case of the author throwing everything under the kitchen sink into one story. I honestly don’t know what this book wanted to be. Without giving away any spoilers, there were so many different facets thrown into the mix that it gave me a bit of whiplash while reading. It was hard to connect with anything when the story kept going in so many different directions. Instead of focusing on the mystery at hand, I found myself checking how many pages I had left to read, which is never a good sign.
Now, while ARCs are generally in pretty good shape, they are uncorrected proofs, so they can still contain typos, formatting issues, and other editing problems. They may also go through several more rounds of revisions before publication. On a positive note, this could be a very different book by the time it hits shelves! However, the amount of copy editing that was still needed made it difficult to read and stay engaged, separate from my issues with the storyline itself.
I never hold editing issues against an ARC in my rating, as I understand these are early copies and things can change. But I did want to mention it here because, despite my best efforts, it genuinely impacted my reading experience. Unfortunately, the combination of a storyline that felt all over the place and the editing issues made this a frustrating read, especially when the premise had so much potential. I really wanted to enjoy this one, but it just wasn’t the book for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have been holding onto this book since February, regretting my decision to grab it from NetGalley, because I kept seeing low reviews for it. Then I saw the publishing date was pushed back from July to December and I was really groaning. Finally, reluctantly, I decided to it was time to read it and resigned myself to reading a book that was going to suck. Well, it did not suck and I am pretty baffled by the low reviews. Parts one and two were an easy 5 stars for me and part three doesn't start until 92% so the vast majority was great. I was hooked from the beginning and caught up in the mystery of what happened to Gen. Multiple suspects and theories keep you guessing until the end. Every time I thought I knew what happened, new information came along and I realized I was wrong. There was a creepy scene towards the end of part two that had me feeling quite unsettled and wishing I wasn't reading home alone near midnight. Part three was still good but one scene in a medical facility was extremely unrealistic. However, the final two chapters (part 4) seemed to come out of nowhere and fell a bit flat for me. There were no previous signs that certain things had happened, or a person felt the way they did. Overall, I thought The Lightning Girl was an excellent book with a few minor things that caused me to round down instead of up. 4.5 stars!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy
A story about trauma, friendship and loss… and so much more!
Sarah Whitehouse returns to the costal town she grew up in. The rediscovery of an old photograph in her late father’s house catapults Sarah back into her own past, opening wounds and summoning demons, She tried to leave behind long ago. Sarah realises she might be her own worst enemy in her quest for the truth surrounding the death of her teenage best friend… Or maybe, there is something even more dangerous going on, a sinister force watching her every move, trying to burry a dark secret hidden for 30 years. And Sarah along with it…
Sam Ripley made a monumental entrance into the genre by putting a spellbinding twist on the psychological thriller with The Rule of Three. With The Lightning Girl, he delivers a completely different, yet again utterly unique tale.
The prose is razor-sharp and sometimes downright hilarious, the characters multifaceted and quirkily memorable. And the spooky atmosphere and unpredictable twists make you want to turn the pages even faster.
But at the heart of the story lies the complicated, woefully naive and deeply moving friendship of two teenage girls. It draws the reader in from the start and keeps them invested till the very last page.
Ripley proves that he can come up with fresh story concepts and let them come to life quite elegantly on the page. I don’t know what he will be up to next but I can’t wait to find out!
Sarah Whitehouse returns to the costal town she grew up in. The rediscovery of an old photograph in her late father’s house catapults Sarah back into her own past, opening wounds and summoning demons, She tried to leave behind long ago. Sarah realises she might be her own worst enemy in her quest for the truth surrounding the death of her teenage best friend… Or maybe, there is something even more dangerous going on, a sinister force watching her every move, trying to burry a dark secret hidden for 30 years. And Sarah along with it…
Sam Ripley made a monumental entrance into the genre by putting a spellbinding twist on the psychological thriller with The Rule of Three. With The Lightning Girl, he delivers a completely different, yet again utterly unique tale.
The prose is razor-sharp and sometimes downright hilarious, the characters multifaceted and quirkily memorable. And the spooky atmosphere and unpredictable twists make you want to turn the pages even faster.
But at the heart of the story lies the complicated, woefully naive and deeply moving friendship of two teenage girls. It draws the reader in from the start and keeps them invested till the very last page.
Ripley proves that he can come up with fresh story concepts and let them come to life quite elegantly on the page. I don’t know what he will be up to next but I can’t wait to find out!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Finding the right pacing in a mystery can be tricky, and I’m not quite sure this slow burn novel found it. There were many times throughout the novel that felt like stop start. There would be forward momentum that engages the reader only for it to abruptly stop and slow down again. For me, it didn’t leave the desired effect that the author may have had in mind.
30 years ago, Sarah’s best friend went over the side of a cliff and her body was never discovered. Now back in her home town to sell her late father’s home, she begins to have eerie, unexplainable experiences and begins to wonder if Gen really died all those years ago. I liked how the past was interwoven with the present. We get a strong sense of Sarah and Gen’s relationship and a glimpse of Gen, at least from Sarah’s POV. Sarah is not a very compelling character, and perhaps that’s intentional, as Gen is the charismatic ringleader of their adventures. I found it really hard to connect with her.
The twist that appears halfway through the book was a pleasant surprise. I sat at attention and was curious to see where this would lead. I was disappointed when it didn’t really go anywhere. The ending was anticlimactic and rather disappointing as well. Not quite an edge of your seat thriller.
Finding the right pacing in a mystery can be tricky, and I’m not quite sure this slow burn novel found it. There were many times throughout the novel that felt like stop start. There would be forward momentum that engages the reader only for it to abruptly stop and slow down again. For me, it didn’t leave the desired effect that the author may have had in mind.
30 years ago, Sarah’s best friend went over the side of a cliff and her body was never discovered. Now back in her home town to sell her late father’s home, she begins to have eerie, unexplainable experiences and begins to wonder if Gen really died all those years ago. I liked how the past was interwoven with the present. We get a strong sense of Sarah and Gen’s relationship and a glimpse of Gen, at least from Sarah’s POV. Sarah is not a very compelling character, and perhaps that’s intentional, as Gen is the charismatic ringleader of their adventures. I found it really hard to connect with her.
The twist that appears halfway through the book was a pleasant surprise. I sat at attention and was curious to see where this would lead. I was disappointed when it didn’t really go anywhere. The ending was anticlimactic and rather disappointing as well. Not quite an edge of your seat thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Sam Ripley for the advanced ebook copy!
The Lightning Girl is a psychological thriller about a woman who returns to her coastal hometown, and because therapy is expensive and closure is elusive, starts digging into the decades-old disappearance of her best friend. Said best friend was once known as “the lightning girl” after surviving a literal lightning strike… and then vanishing thirty years ago.
Sarah moves back home with her son for a fresh start, but of course, the past is sitting there waiting like, “Miss me?” The mystery slowly unravels through past-and-present threads, and I genuinely kept guessing until the end. There are a few twists I did not see coming (and I will not be That Reviewer who spoils them).
It’s an easy, fast read that’s simple to follow but still delivers the suspense. If you’re a fan of small-town secrets, layered friendships, and that slightly eerie “wait… what is really going on here?” feeling, you’ll enjoy this.
Also, if you love The Sixth Sense energy ( that creeping sense that something isn’t quite adding up ), this will absolutely be your vibe.
I’m new to Sam Ripley, but I’d definitely pick up another book like this.
The Lightning Girl is a psychological thriller about a woman who returns to her coastal hometown, and because therapy is expensive and closure is elusive, starts digging into the decades-old disappearance of her best friend. Said best friend was once known as “the lightning girl” after surviving a literal lightning strike… and then vanishing thirty years ago.
Sarah moves back home with her son for a fresh start, but of course, the past is sitting there waiting like, “Miss me?” The mystery slowly unravels through past-and-present threads, and I genuinely kept guessing until the end. There are a few twists I did not see coming (and I will not be That Reviewer who spoils them).
It’s an easy, fast read that’s simple to follow but still delivers the suspense. If you’re a fan of small-town secrets, layered friendships, and that slightly eerie “wait… what is really going on here?” feeling, you’ll enjoy this.
Also, if you love The Sixth Sense energy ( that creeping sense that something isn’t quite adding up ), this will absolutely be your vibe.
I’m new to Sam Ripley, but I’d definitely pick up another book like this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sarah has come back to her childhood home after her father's death to prepare his house for sale. She finds a junk-filled home. She hasn't been back for years. She left home and built a life for herself elsewhere. She was running from memories of the death of her best friend Gen.
She and Gen were inseparable as children and teens with Gen being the leader and Sarah the devoted follower. After Gen was struck by lightning and survived, she turned to the occult and became entranced with witchcraft and spells. When she fell over a cliff while out with Sarah, she was presumed dead, but a body was never found.
Sarah is determined to find justice for her friend if she can work around her various mental problems which include seeing and talking to Gen among other phantom persons.
This first part of this story was introspective to the point of claustrophobia. I found Sarah's worldview depressing which wasn't helped when I learned that she was also an unreliable narrator. The rest of the book was less introspective, but I still didn't trust that Sarah was a reliable narrator which made me question everything that happened.
Fans of this sort of psychological thriller will enjoy this title. I prefer a more straight-forward story.
She and Gen were inseparable as children and teens with Gen being the leader and Sarah the devoted follower. After Gen was struck by lightning and survived, she turned to the occult and became entranced with witchcraft and spells. When she fell over a cliff while out with Sarah, she was presumed dead, but a body was never found.
Sarah is determined to find justice for her friend if she can work around her various mental problems which include seeing and talking to Gen among other phantom persons.
This first part of this story was introspective to the point of claustrophobia. I found Sarah's worldview depressing which wasn't helped when I learned that she was also an unreliable narrator. The rest of the book was less introspective, but I still didn't trust that Sarah was a reliable narrator which made me question everything that happened.
Fans of this sort of psychological thriller will enjoy this title. I prefer a more straight-forward story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review *
There are two tropes that I will always be down for with a thriller: cold case and podcast. These books checked off both of those boxes.
I was initially hesitant to keep going when I started because it seemed to be going in a supernatural direction, which isn’t my favorite thing ever in a book, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I know the first twist is a premise that has been done in books before and for some people, they may have wanted it to happen a little later, but I found that it really enhanced the unreliable narrator aspect. Some people have critiqued the slow pacing but I didn’t consider any of the book to be a slow burn. Part 2 did feel a little long, but the quick chapters easily kept me engaged.
While I enjoyed the book, I do think it had the potential to be more. I would’ve loved for the podcast to be a bigger part of the story…I think it would’ve been great to be scattered throughout the book, instead of it just being present in a part of the book. The ending also seemed to fall a little flat for me. I feel like it was just a bit anticlimactic after everything else that had happened in the book.
There are two tropes that I will always be down for with a thriller: cold case and podcast. These books checked off both of those boxes.
I was initially hesitant to keep going when I started because it seemed to be going in a supernatural direction, which isn’t my favorite thing ever in a book, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I know the first twist is a premise that has been done in books before and for some people, they may have wanted it to happen a little later, but I found that it really enhanced the unreliable narrator aspect. Some people have critiqued the slow pacing but I didn’t consider any of the book to be a slow burn. Part 2 did feel a little long, but the quick chapters easily kept me engaged.
While I enjoyed the book, I do think it had the potential to be more. I would’ve loved for the podcast to be a bigger part of the story…I think it would’ve been great to be scattered throughout the book, instead of it just being present in a part of the book. The ending also seemed to fall a little flat for me. I feel like it was just a bit anticlimactic after everything else that had happened in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 21, 2026I absolutely loved The Lightning Girl. From the very first pages, this book pulled me in and refused to let go. I truly couldn’t stop reading I swear my jaw dropped dozens of times with all the twists and turns.
Sam Ripley does an incredible job blending suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. The decades-old disappearance of Genevieve is haunting, and the idea that she may not have died after all kept me constantly questioning what I thought I knew. The coastal setting adds a chilling atmosphere that perfectly matches the story’s dark, unsettling tone. Sarah is a compelling narrator, and watching her return to her hometown and confront buried memories made the story feel personal and intense. Every new revelation made me rethink the night Genevieve vanished, and just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist hit.
This novel is gripping, eerie, and beautifully paced. If you enjoy suspense thrillers with shocking revelations and a touch of the supernatural, this is a must-read. Perfect for fans of Jennifer McMahon and Ruth Ware and honestly, for anyone who loves a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Sam Ripley does an incredible job blending suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. The decades-old disappearance of Genevieve is haunting, and the idea that she may not have died after all kept me constantly questioning what I thought I knew. The coastal setting adds a chilling atmosphere that perfectly matches the story’s dark, unsettling tone. Sarah is a compelling narrator, and watching her return to her hometown and confront buried memories made the story feel personal and intense. Every new revelation made me rethink the night Genevieve vanished, and just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist hit.
This novel is gripping, eerie, and beautifully paced. If you enjoy suspense thrillers with shocking revelations and a touch of the supernatural, this is a must-read. Perfect for fans of Jennifer McMahon and Ruth Ware and honestly, for anyone who loves a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
March 24, 2026
When Genevieve is struck by lightning, she lives her life for 30 years beyond that calling herself a witch, asserting the electricity inside the lightning gave her even more supernatural capabilities. Her best friend calls her crazy, used to these declarations of sheer insanity from her bestie. When Genevieve faces her own mortality from falling off a cliffside, Sarah returns home to the site where it all went down and is plagued by conflicting memories and thoughts from those decades in the past. Was her friend REALLY on to something, or up to her usual verbal shenanigans? My favorite parts of this one were the podcast element- something about that trope never gets old to me, and it is usually so juicy and scandalous to portray in a thriller novel. Unfortunately, competing plotlines detracting from that for me and I didn't agree with the need to add QUITE so many components to a story that already had premise. Although this one didn't work out super well for me, the vibes were there, and I think the author did a great job introducing us to a unique thriller. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Lightning Girl by Sam Ripley is a slow, atmospheric suspense thriller with small-town secrets, layered friendships, guilt, and emotional survival, blending past and present timelines.
Unfortunately, this didn't work for me; I struggled to connect with the characters, and once again, it felt like I was reading multiple books at once! I was especially confused about the girl Genevieve, who was struck by lightning, as she somehow became far too irrelevant to the story, even though I was intrigued to learn what happened to her. I really wanted to like Sarah, but I just could not connect with her.
While there were some twists and turns, the final few didn't land for me. The mid-way twist was actually good and got me excited, but then it just went nowhere.
I tried, but this book wasn't for me—though I hope it finds its fans because there is potential for it to be someone’s favourite. It’s 2 slow stars from me.
Unfortunately, this didn't work for me; I struggled to connect with the characters, and once again, it felt like I was reading multiple books at once! I was especially confused about the girl Genevieve, who was struck by lightning, as she somehow became far too irrelevant to the story, even though I was intrigued to learn what happened to her. I really wanted to like Sarah, but I just could not connect with her.
While there were some twists and turns, the final few didn't land for me. The mid-way twist was actually good and got me excited, but then it just went nowhere.
I tried, but this book wasn't for me—though I hope it finds its fans because there is potential for it to be someone’s favourite. It’s 2 slow stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5⭐️ When Sarah and were young,
Gen survived being struck by lightning making her believe she couldn't die only to die by falling off a cliff. Gen believed she was able to cast spells and they seemed to actually work.
Fast forward to years later and Sarah returns home after spending years away and is determined to find out what really happened to her best friend, Genevieve (Gen), after she has a dream about her and the possibility that maybe Gen didn't die when she fell off the cliff.
I was hooked from the beginning with this book and couldn't wait to find out what really happened. The author delivered twist after twist in this book and surprise elements I didn't see coming. I actually chuckled when Sarah's son found an old Ouija board and didn't know what it was.
There's a lot more going on in this town than you think. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more books from this author.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Gen survived being struck by lightning making her believe she couldn't die only to die by falling off a cliff. Gen believed she was able to cast spells and they seemed to actually work.
Fast forward to years later and Sarah returns home after spending years away and is determined to find out what really happened to her best friend, Genevieve (Gen), after she has a dream about her and the possibility that maybe Gen didn't die when she fell off the cliff.
I was hooked from the beginning with this book and couldn't wait to find out what really happened. The author delivered twist after twist in this book and surprise elements I didn't see coming. I actually chuckled when Sarah's son found an old Ouija board and didn't know what it was.
There's a lot more going on in this town than you think. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more books from this author.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to SS Atria Marketing for the ARC of this book. This story has you questioning not only what happened to Gen all those years ago, but also what is actually happening now. Sarah is the main character, and she is traumatized by her past as a teen as well as her recent past. There are events that feel real while others do not, yet it is easy to accept the fantasy as truth. I was very pleasantly surprised by the way Sarah was able to connect to people and facts to learn more about the landscape and the events of the past. As more clues are uncovered, more questions arise. The tension builds much the way an oncoming thunderstorm builds, with the skies darkening and pressure rising - you can really feel it toward the end of the book. There were many surprises along the way, right up to the diabolical ending where I was thrilled to see Sarah finally become empowered. The book is sad, somewhat spooky, otherworldly, and a thrilling read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thirty years ago, Genevieve survived being struck by lightning. She said it gave her powers. Then she fell off a cliff… and died.
Or did she?
When Sarah returns to her coastal hometown, she’s forced to confront the trauma she’s clearly never dealt with. She’s a messy, disorganized character — emotionally and mentally — and that chaos really shapes how the mystery unfolds. At times it made her frustrating, but it also made her feel very real.
The atmosphere is moody and eerie, with small-town secrets and a subtle supernatural edge. My favorite character was Gen — she felt almost invincible, larger than life, like the storm never really left her.
That said, the ending felt a little too set up for me, a bit too neatly arranged after all that tension.
Overall: haunting, emotional, and layered with grief and doubt. If you love slow-burn mysteries with damaged characters and lingering questions, this one might pull you in.
Or did she?
When Sarah returns to her coastal hometown, she’s forced to confront the trauma she’s clearly never dealt with. She’s a messy, disorganized character — emotionally and mentally — and that chaos really shapes how the mystery unfolds. At times it made her frustrating, but it also made her feel very real.
The atmosphere is moody and eerie, with small-town secrets and a subtle supernatural edge. My favorite character was Gen — she felt almost invincible, larger than life, like the storm never really left her.
That said, the ending felt a little too set up for me, a bit too neatly arranged after all that tension.
Overall: haunting, emotional, and layered with grief and doubt. If you love slow-burn mysteries with damaged characters and lingering questions, this one might pull you in.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Returning to your hometown is complicated enough without your supposedly dead best friend making an appearance. Sarah’s homecoming in The Lightning Girl by Sam Ripley comes with unsettling visions, buried secrets, and plenty of reasons to question what’s real. So much for getting the house sold and moving on.
The eerie coastal setting and hints of the supernatural create a wonderfully creepy atmosphere. Genevieve survived a lightning strike as a teenager, claimed she had powers, and later disappeared after falling from a cliff. Thirty years later, Sarah is left trying to untangle what actually happened, and the past isn’t giving up its secrets politely.
I loved the uncertainty, the unexpected turns, and the way grief, guilt, and friendship give the mystery emotional weight. Every answer seems to bring another reason to be suspicious. Dark, unsettling, and full of surprises, this is a five-star read for anyone who enjoys having their theories thoroughly dismantled.
The eerie coastal setting and hints of the supernatural create a wonderfully creepy atmosphere. Genevieve survived a lightning strike as a teenager, claimed she had powers, and later disappeared after falling from a cliff. Thirty years later, Sarah is left trying to untangle what actually happened, and the past isn’t giving up its secrets politely.
I loved the uncertainty, the unexpected turns, and the way grief, guilt, and friendship give the mystery emotional weight. Every answer seems to bring another reason to be suspicious. Dark, unsettling, and full of surprises, this is a five-star read for anyone who enjoys having their theories thoroughly dismantled.
June 29, 2026
I hate when I dislike a book and have to write a review. I don’t want to be rude or offend the author or publisher. Just because it didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t love it.
Respectfully, I was just bored. It had the potential to be really good but it was just endless thoughts and conversations that did nothing to truly advance the story. I was able to skim pages and not feel like I missed anything. Finally, instead of doing a DNF at 50% I literally skipped to the last 6% of the book just to read what really happened to the missing best friend. And while I didn’t know a lot about those involved, I understood what happened and had absolutely no need or want to read the rest of the book.
⭐️⭐️
As always, I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Respectfully, I was just bored. It had the potential to be really good but it was just endless thoughts and conversations that did nothing to truly advance the story. I was able to skim pages and not feel like I missed anything. Finally, instead of doing a DNF at 50% I literally skipped to the last 6% of the book just to read what really happened to the missing best friend. And while I didn’t know a lot about those involved, I understood what happened and had absolutely no need or want to read the rest of the book.
⭐️⭐️
As always, I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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