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The Hardest Ones to Fool
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5 copies available
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For fans of the hit Netflix series Inventing Anna and The Girls I've Been comes a bold young adult thriller about a teen scammer who won't let boys, friends, or even murder get in her way.
Amelia Wu is great at relationships. So great, in fact, that she’s in three of them. Why choose between the suave debate team captain, the charming indie filmmaker, and the tennis star when she can be with them all?
The catch? None of them know about each other. It works perfectly. They’re in love with her—or the versions of her that they get. Amy. Ellie. Mia. And she’s in love with the lavish dinners, fancy yacht trips, and expensive gifts. Times three.
But schemes always get complicated, don’t they? When Amelia's best friend ends up dead, her alleged murder shocks their placid beachside city. And soon, Amelia's carefully planned relationships start to dangerously unravel.
In a fit of desperation, Amelia teams up with her academic nemesis Jackie, the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and a self-proclaimed true crime junkie, to get to the bottom of this.
After all, Amelia needs to keep her boyfriends close and her enemies closer if she wants to keep her scam—and herself—afloat.
Amelia Wu is great at relationships. So great, in fact, that she’s in three of them. Why choose between the suave debate team captain, the charming indie filmmaker, and the tennis star when she can be with them all?
The catch? None of them know about each other. It works perfectly. They’re in love with her—or the versions of her that they get. Amy. Ellie. Mia. And she’s in love with the lavish dinners, fancy yacht trips, and expensive gifts. Times three.
But schemes always get complicated, don’t they? When Amelia's best friend ends up dead, her alleged murder shocks their placid beachside city. And soon, Amelia's carefully planned relationships start to dangerously unravel.
In a fit of desperation, Amelia teams up with her academic nemesis Jackie, the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and a self-proclaimed true crime junkie, to get to the bottom of this.
After all, Amelia needs to keep her boyfriends close and her enemies closer if she wants to keep her scam—and herself—afloat.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay but… this book really said “morally questionable teen girlboss meets murder mystery chaos” and I said yes ma’am, take my sleep schedule.
This was one of those reads where you think you’re just here for the drama (three boyfriends??? at the same time??? iconic, unhinged behavior honestly) and suddenly you’re knee-deep in grief, betrayal, identity crises, and a murder that refuses to sit quietly in the background. It’s messy. It’s sharp. It’s addictive.
Amelia Wu is… not your typical heroine. She’s calculating, a little delusional, kind of brilliant, and absolutely committed to the bit. Three relationships, three identities, three completely different versions of herself—and she’s juggling all of it like her life depends on it (which… eventually, it kind of does). I won’t even pretend I was judging her because I was too busy being entertained. The confidence? The audacity? The chaos? I ate it up.
But then—of course—everything starts cracking.
Her best friend’s death shifts the tone from “fun scam energy” to oh wait this is actually serious and someone might be lying about everything. And that’s when the book really locked me in. The mystery sneaks up on you, layering suspicion on literally everyone while Amelia herself is the least reliable narrator in the room. Which makes it even more fun (and frustrating in the best way).
Also… the dynamic with Jackie? Unexpected, tense, slightly chaotic, and honestly one of my favorite parts. Nothing like teaming up with someone you don’t even like while your entire life is one bad decision away from exploding.
Now, is Amelia always easy to root for? Not exactly. She makes choices that had me whispering “girl… PLEASE” more than once. But that’s also what made her feel real. She’s grieving, spiraling, performing different versions of herself, and trying to stay in control of a situation that’s clearly slipping through her fingers.
And the twists?? Oh they commit. Just when you start getting comfortable, the story flips again and you’re left questioning everything—including your own detective skills. The ending especially had me sitting there like… excuse me??? we’re just going to END like that??? (respectfully, I love being emotionally destabilized).
Overall, this was such a fast, juicy, slightly chaotic ride—equal parts scandal, heartbreak, and “this will absolutely blow up in your face” energy. Not perfect, but wildly entertaining and impossible to put down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Special thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Penguin Workshop for sharing this unputdownable YA thriller/mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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This was one of those reads where you think you’re just here for the drama (three boyfriends??? at the same time??? iconic, unhinged behavior honestly) and suddenly you’re knee-deep in grief, betrayal, identity crises, and a murder that refuses to sit quietly in the background. It’s messy. It’s sharp. It’s addictive.
Amelia Wu is… not your typical heroine. She’s calculating, a little delusional, kind of brilliant, and absolutely committed to the bit. Three relationships, three identities, three completely different versions of herself—and she’s juggling all of it like her life depends on it (which… eventually, it kind of does). I won’t even pretend I was judging her because I was too busy being entertained. The confidence? The audacity? The chaos? I ate it up.
But then—of course—everything starts cracking.
Her best friend’s death shifts the tone from “fun scam energy” to oh wait this is actually serious and someone might be lying about everything. And that’s when the book really locked me in. The mystery sneaks up on you, layering suspicion on literally everyone while Amelia herself is the least reliable narrator in the room. Which makes it even more fun (and frustrating in the best way).
Also… the dynamic with Jackie? Unexpected, tense, slightly chaotic, and honestly one of my favorite parts. Nothing like teaming up with someone you don’t even like while your entire life is one bad decision away from exploding.
Now, is Amelia always easy to root for? Not exactly. She makes choices that had me whispering “girl… PLEASE” more than once. But that’s also what made her feel real. She’s grieving, spiraling, performing different versions of herself, and trying to stay in control of a situation that’s clearly slipping through her fingers.
And the twists?? Oh they commit. Just when you start getting comfortable, the story flips again and you’re left questioning everything—including your own detective skills. The ending especially had me sitting there like… excuse me??? we’re just going to END like that??? (respectfully, I love being emotionally destabilized).
Overall, this was such a fast, juicy, slightly chaotic ride—equal parts scandal, heartbreak, and “this will absolutely blow up in your face” energy. Not perfect, but wildly entertaining and impossible to put down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Special thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Penguin Workshop for sharing this unputdownable YA thriller/mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium blog
December 9, 2025
rating my book for the first time so that people know this is the correct Goodreads edition 🫶 happy reading
March 17, 2026
The story builds with a steady, creeping tension, layering secrets, grief, and complicated relationships in a way that feels both intimate and unsettling. I especially loved how the author explored memory and perception, making you question what is real and what is shaped by emotion or trauma. The atmosphere is sharp and immersive, with just enough unease woven into everyday moments to keep you on edge.
What really stood out to me was the emotional depth behind the mystery. The characters feel flawed and human, and their choices carry real weight, even when they are frustrating. The pacing leans more slow burn than fast thriller, which worked for me but might not for everyone, Still, the payoff is strong and lingers after the final page. This is a thoughtful, character driven suspense novel that delivers both tension and heart.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
What really stood out to me was the emotional depth behind the mystery. The characters feel flawed and human, and their choices carry real weight, even when they are frustrating. The pacing leans more slow burn than fast thriller, which worked for me but might not for everyone, Still, the payoff is strong and lingers after the final page. This is a thoughtful, character driven suspense novel that delivers both tension and heart.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
December 8, 2025
delicious
Read
May 8, 2026This was exactly my type of YA mystery thriller!!
I was very much seated for the juicy drama of how things would play out, and had a great time piecing the mystery together. I did guess who killed Ingrid, and picked up on the clues leading to some of the other twists, although there was one I didn't expect.
The complex characters really stood out to me here. Amelia having a different persona for each of her three boyfriends was so fun to read about, but when thinking about it, it's simultaneously impressive and concerning how she crafted each to be their ideal types. And all the lies that continue on even into the ending...
I liked the development of Amelia and Jackie's relationship, and there were definitely some cute moments! No spoilers here though.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
I was very much seated for the juicy drama of how things would play out, and had a great time piecing the mystery together. I did guess who killed Ingrid, and picked up on the clues leading to some of the other twists, although there was one I didn't expect.
The complex characters really stood out to me here. Amelia having a different persona for each of her three boyfriends was so fun to read about, but when thinking about it, it's simultaneously impressive and concerning how she crafted each to be their ideal types. And all the lies that continue on even into the ending...
I liked the development of Amelia and Jackie's relationship, and there were definitely some cute moments! No spoilers here though.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
May 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group/Penguin Workshop for the free eARC in exchange for a review.
Amelia Wu is the best kind of character in a thriller book. A bit off kilter, not completely trustworthy but completely committed to her cause. And that is to date three very different, wealthy, high profile boys from different schools without them finding out about each other. The whole time, it’s obvious this is going to backfire in the worst way. Then, Ingrid, Amelia’s best friend ends up dead after a late night house party that all of them attended, and Amelia is determined to figure out how this happened and if it was more than just an accident. Along for the ride is her classmate and academic rival, Jackie, who happens to work for the school newspaper. Together, they discover all the deceptions that led to Ingrid’s demise, and the secrets they’ve kept from each other. The ending was perfect and I wanted more!
Amelia Wu is the best kind of character in a thriller book. A bit off kilter, not completely trustworthy but completely committed to her cause. And that is to date three very different, wealthy, high profile boys from different schools without them finding out about each other. The whole time, it’s obvious this is going to backfire in the worst way. Then, Ingrid, Amelia’s best friend ends up dead after a late night house party that all of them attended, and Amelia is determined to figure out how this happened and if it was more than just an accident. Along for the ride is her classmate and academic rival, Jackie, who happens to work for the school newspaper. Together, they discover all the deceptions that led to Ingrid’s demise, and the secrets they’ve kept from each other. The ending was perfect and I wanted more!
Want to Read
March 5, 2026Review to come on 8/4
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you netgalley for a copy of the book to read and review.
The Hardest Ones to Fool follows two young women whose lives intertwine in a web of shifting alliances, hidden truths, and tangled relationships. At its heart, the story explores the intoxicating pull of friendship and loyalty—especially when it starts to blur into something more complicated and conditional. It has the addictive, high-stakes energy of a Pretty Little Liars–style mystery blended with the intricate interpersonal deceptions and emotional unraveling of The Lying Game. The premise hooks you immediately: two girls chasing the truth in a landscape of half-lies and uncertain loyalties, building to a satisfyingly shocking payoff.
I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt at first, but the more I read, the more it pulled me in—like watching Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game come together in a fresh way. Amelia is a piece of work, but I felt for her right from the beginning. It was fun watching her juggle the three boys in her orbit… until the unraveling started and the full picture came into view. I ended up feeling deeply for Jessica and everything she goes through.
The boys definitely got lucky (if you ask me), but Ingrid? I felt bad for her—she was a piece of work in her own right. Her friendship with Amelia felt like charity on one side and conditional loyalty on the other. As long as Amelia stayed in line and did what was expected, things were good… but when she didn’t? That’s when the cracks really showed.
The story itself was interesting and kept me wondering the whole way through. The premise is intriguing, and the way these two girls seek the truth only to have that massive “wow” moment at the end was perfectly executed.
Takeaway: How layered and conditional human connections can be, and how easy it is to fool ourselves (and others) when the truth is inconvenient.
The aim, I believe, of the book was to deliver a twisty, character-driven mystery that explores fragile friendships, shifting loyalties, deception, and the search for truth in a world full of half-lies and manipulation.
Christina Li fulfilled this very well. The tension builds naturally, the relationships feel messy and authentic, the characters (especially Amelia, Jessica, and Ingrid) are complex, and the ending delivers a satisfying payoff. The blend of mystery and emotional drama works beautifully.
Would You Recommend This Book to Others? Who Is the Target Audience?
Yes, I would absolutely recommend The Hardest Ones to Fool. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy addictive YA mysteries with strong female relationships, moral gray areas, romance, and big twists.
Target Audience: Fans of Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game, or similar books—teens and young adults who love character-driven thrillers where friendships are just as dramatic as the mystery.
One-Sentence Book Review:
A cleverly constructed mystery about two girls navigating fragile friendships and buried truths that delivers the same addictive “who can you trust?” tension as Pretty Little Liars meets The Lying Game, with a knockout ending that makes it hard to put down.
The Hardest Ones to Fool follows two young women whose lives intertwine in a web of shifting alliances, hidden truths, and tangled relationships. At its heart, the story explores the intoxicating pull of friendship and loyalty—especially when it starts to blur into something more complicated and conditional. It has the addictive, high-stakes energy of a Pretty Little Liars–style mystery blended with the intricate interpersonal deceptions and emotional unraveling of The Lying Game. The premise hooks you immediately: two girls chasing the truth in a landscape of half-lies and uncertain loyalties, building to a satisfyingly shocking payoff.
I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt at first, but the more I read, the more it pulled me in—like watching Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game come together in a fresh way. Amelia is a piece of work, but I felt for her right from the beginning. It was fun watching her juggle the three boys in her orbit… until the unraveling started and the full picture came into view. I ended up feeling deeply for Jessica and everything she goes through.
The boys definitely got lucky (if you ask me), but Ingrid? I felt bad for her—she was a piece of work in her own right. Her friendship with Amelia felt like charity on one side and conditional loyalty on the other. As long as Amelia stayed in line and did what was expected, things were good… but when she didn’t? That’s when the cracks really showed.
The story itself was interesting and kept me wondering the whole way through. The premise is intriguing, and the way these two girls seek the truth only to have that massive “wow” moment at the end was perfectly executed.
Takeaway: How layered and conditional human connections can be, and how easy it is to fool ourselves (and others) when the truth is inconvenient.
The aim, I believe, of the book was to deliver a twisty, character-driven mystery that explores fragile friendships, shifting loyalties, deception, and the search for truth in a world full of half-lies and manipulation.
Christina Li fulfilled this very well. The tension builds naturally, the relationships feel messy and authentic, the characters (especially Amelia, Jessica, and Ingrid) are complex, and the ending delivers a satisfying payoff. The blend of mystery and emotional drama works beautifully.
Would You Recommend This Book to Others? Who Is the Target Audience?
Yes, I would absolutely recommend The Hardest Ones to Fool. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy addictive YA mysteries with strong female relationships, moral gray areas, romance, and big twists.
Target Audience: Fans of Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game, or similar books—teens and young adults who love character-driven thrillers where friendships are just as dramatic as the mystery.
One-Sentence Book Review:
A cleverly constructed mystery about two girls navigating fragile friendships and buried truths that delivers the same addictive “who can you trust?” tension as Pretty Little Liars meets The Lying Game, with a knockout ending that makes it hard to put down.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Hardest Ones to Fool is a twisty YA thriller like none other. This book is a true page-turner with plot twists you'll never see coming.
The story follows teenager Amelia Wu, who is secretly juggling three boyfriends: the debate team captain, an indie filmmaker, and a tennis star. None of whom know about each other. Each of them is in love with the carefully crafted version of Amelia they get - Amy, Ellie, and Mia. And Amelia loves the lavish lifestyle she gets to live when she's with each boyfriend.
But when her best friend Ingrid ends up dead, shocking her quiet beachside town, Amelia's clever schemes and carefully planned relationships slowly start to unravel. Out of desperation, Amelia enlists the help of her academic rival Jackie, the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, to help uncover the truth of Ingrid's murder. The question is, will Amelia be able to maintain her lies and relationships while also trying to stay out of danger.
The Hardest Ones to Fool is a fast-paced easy read that you won't want to put down. This book boasts morally gray characters, enemies to lovers, an unreliable narrator, and high-stakes deception.
Amelia's schemes are fascinating, detailed, well thought out, and complicated. Her con is ingenious, really. You're never sure if you should be rooting for her or not based on her clever deceptions. And, just when you think you know the truth, Christina Li drops a plot twist you never saw coming. Your mouth will drop open when the complete truth of the con is finally laid out on the table.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. Every detail is carefully thought out and crafted. Li weaves a sob story for Amelia that makes the reader want to root for her, but still leaves you just a little suspicious and wondering how much she can be trusted. True-crime podcast obsessed Jackie is the perfect foil for Amelia. It was a joy watching their relationship progress from academic rivals/enemies to being partners out of necessity, to friends, to lovers. I also love how each of Amelia's alternate personalities are carefully crafted and molded into what each boy considers the perfect girlfriend.
This whole book is ingenious!
The story follows teenager Amelia Wu, who is secretly juggling three boyfriends: the debate team captain, an indie filmmaker, and a tennis star. None of whom know about each other. Each of them is in love with the carefully crafted version of Amelia they get - Amy, Ellie, and Mia. And Amelia loves the lavish lifestyle she gets to live when she's with each boyfriend.
But when her best friend Ingrid ends up dead, shocking her quiet beachside town, Amelia's clever schemes and carefully planned relationships slowly start to unravel. Out of desperation, Amelia enlists the help of her academic rival Jackie, the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, to help uncover the truth of Ingrid's murder. The question is, will Amelia be able to maintain her lies and relationships while also trying to stay out of danger.
The Hardest Ones to Fool is a fast-paced easy read that you won't want to put down. This book boasts morally gray characters, enemies to lovers, an unreliable narrator, and high-stakes deception.
Amelia's schemes are fascinating, detailed, well thought out, and complicated. Her con is ingenious, really. You're never sure if you should be rooting for her or not based on her clever deceptions. And, just when you think you know the truth, Christina Li drops a plot twist you never saw coming. Your mouth will drop open when the complete truth of the con is finally laid out on the table.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. Every detail is carefully thought out and crafted. Li weaves a sob story for Amelia that makes the reader want to root for her, but still leaves you just a little suspicious and wondering how much she can be trusted. True-crime podcast obsessed Jackie is the perfect foil for Amelia. It was a joy watching their relationship progress from academic rivals/enemies to being partners out of necessity, to friends, to lovers. I also love how each of Amelia's alternate personalities are carefully crafted and molded into what each boy considers the perfect girlfriend.
This whole book is ingenious!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Reviewing an advance reader's copy/uncorrected proof from Net Galley
The Hardest Ones to Fool is a gripping thriller that had me completely hooked from start to finish. The pacing is relentless, the tension never dips, and the twists? Absolutely wild - I genuinely couldn’t put this book down.
The story follows Amelia and Ingrid, two friends who take deception to a terrifying level. They create multiple fake identities for Amelia to catfish three wealthy men, tailoring each persona with chilling precision. The amount of planning, stalking, and manipulation that goes into maintaining these lies is both fascinating and deeply unsettling.
When Ingrid dies after a drunken fall from a cliff, everything shifts. From that moment on, the tension tightens, and you’re left piecing together clues alongside Amelia. What I loved most is that the mystery is handled brilliantly - the killer isn’t obvious, but the twists are still believable. Nothing feels forced, and by the end, every loose thread is tied up in a satisfying way.
What really stood out to me, though, was Amelia as a character. Her inability to be honest - even when everything is falling apart - is deeply disturbing. Even with someone like Jackie, who genuinely loves her, Amelia just cannot stop lying. That emotional disconnect felt incredibly real and, honestly, quite scary. It shows how deeply ingrained her deception has become - so much so that truth itself feels out of reach.
There’s a particularly heartbreaking moment when Amelia breaks down in front of Jackie - but even then, it’s not the full truth. That lingering dishonesty adds a layer of sadness to the story, especially in the epilogue, where it feels like their relationship may never truly recover.
All I’ll say is: if you enjoy fast-paced, twisty psychological thrillers with morally complex characters, this is absolutely worth picking up.
The Hardest Ones to Fool is a gripping thriller that had me completely hooked from start to finish. The pacing is relentless, the tension never dips, and the twists? Absolutely wild - I genuinely couldn’t put this book down.
The story follows Amelia and Ingrid, two friends who take deception to a terrifying level. They create multiple fake identities for Amelia to catfish three wealthy men, tailoring each persona with chilling precision. The amount of planning, stalking, and manipulation that goes into maintaining these lies is both fascinating and deeply unsettling.
When Ingrid dies after a drunken fall from a cliff, everything shifts. From that moment on, the tension tightens, and you’re left piecing together clues alongside Amelia. What I loved most is that the mystery is handled brilliantly - the killer isn’t obvious, but the twists are still believable. Nothing feels forced, and by the end, every loose thread is tied up in a satisfying way.
What really stood out to me, though, was Amelia as a character. Her inability to be honest - even when everything is falling apart - is deeply disturbing. Even with someone like Jackie, who genuinely loves her, Amelia just cannot stop lying. That emotional disconnect felt incredibly real and, honestly, quite scary. It shows how deeply ingrained her deception has become - so much so that truth itself feels out of reach.
There’s a particularly heartbreaking moment when Amelia breaks down in front of Jackie - but even then, it’s not the full truth. That lingering dishonesty adds a layer of sadness to the story, especially in the epilogue, where it feels like their relationship may never truly recover.
All I’ll say is: if you enjoy fast-paced, twisty psychological thrillers with morally complex characters, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: The Hardest Ones to Fool
Author: Christina Li
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley–my thanks to both!
This year, it seems that I have been gravitating more towards thrillers in between my fantasy picks. The premise of this book sounded like it would hit my thriller mystery sweet spot. Scamming? Scandals? Secrets and lies? I really loved Inventing Anna when it came out, and this sounded like a great fictional readalike. I was immediately drawn into the narrative, where a young girl is awash in secrets, juggling three different identities and three boys to go with each. When her best friend, Ingrid, is found dead, she is convinced that it isn’t an accident and there is foul play. When she goes even deeper undercover in pursuit of the truth, things begin to unravel at a rapid pace. Will Amelia Wu find the answers she’s looking for? Even at the imminent risk of her life?
This book! Thrillers in general make me leery; a lot of the time, I can guess the ending. Not so with this book. The pacing was breakneck, and despite myself, I was rooting for Amelia. I mean, I hate to say it, but something about someone reinventing themselves just strikes a chord with me. I was on the edge of my seat, and it got even worse when I realized that Amelia was not the only person hiding secrets. I loved it. I was constantly guessing what was going to happen, with an ending that I did not see coming! I don’t want to give too much away and spoil things, but I will say that this book grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. This book is one of my favorites of 2026, and I will never forget it! Secrets, lies, and alibis seems to be the vibe for this year and I am so here for it!
https://literatureobsessed.blogspot.c...
Author: Christina Li
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley–my thanks to both!
This year, it seems that I have been gravitating more towards thrillers in between my fantasy picks. The premise of this book sounded like it would hit my thriller mystery sweet spot. Scamming? Scandals? Secrets and lies? I really loved Inventing Anna when it came out, and this sounded like a great fictional readalike. I was immediately drawn into the narrative, where a young girl is awash in secrets, juggling three different identities and three boys to go with each. When her best friend, Ingrid, is found dead, she is convinced that it isn’t an accident and there is foul play. When she goes even deeper undercover in pursuit of the truth, things begin to unravel at a rapid pace. Will Amelia Wu find the answers she’s looking for? Even at the imminent risk of her life?
This book! Thrillers in general make me leery; a lot of the time, I can guess the ending. Not so with this book. The pacing was breakneck, and despite myself, I was rooting for Amelia. I mean, I hate to say it, but something about someone reinventing themselves just strikes a chord with me. I was on the edge of my seat, and it got even worse when I realized that Amelia was not the only person hiding secrets. I loved it. I was constantly guessing what was going to happen, with an ending that I did not see coming! I don’t want to give too much away and spoil things, but I will say that this book grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. This book is one of my favorites of 2026, and I will never forget it! Secrets, lies, and alibis seems to be the vibe for this year and I am so here for it!
https://literatureobsessed.blogspot.c...
April 19, 2026
and across the town, far below and nestled between the rocks, i can see the pristine stretch of white sand; the place where ingrid and i reinvented ourselves. and for that moment, i look at the cliffs and imagine i'm talking to my best friend.
the hardest ones to follow centres around amelia wu, who with her best friend ingrid has successfully enacted a (somewhat suspend your disbelief inducing) plan to turn herself into the three different perfect girlfriends for three different upper-class men with an eerily accomplished precision. but all of her careful machinations start to crack open on the night ingrid is found dead - and one of her boyfriends may be involved.
fast-paced and easily sped through, this young adult thriller plays with moral ambiguity through the strong narrative voice of its protagonist. although the focus is on the central mystery of ingrid's death, as the story progresses you begin to understand that every character is somewhat misshapen, because of and none more so that the perspective you are guided through the story from. the purposeful distance encourages you to peel away the mystery of amelia wu the person just as you peel away the questions surrounding ingrid and her death. events and people and the nature of relationships are all hinted at but never truly expanded upon until amelia chooses, forming smaller encircling mysteries that endeavour to keep you further hooked. with an escalation of twists that never veers into unbelievable or cringeworthy, the entwining mysteries combined with the underlying character study in the form of amelia is a fun read. i would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre!
the hardest ones to follow centres around amelia wu, who with her best friend ingrid has successfully enacted a (somewhat suspend your disbelief inducing) plan to turn herself into the three different perfect girlfriends for three different upper-class men with an eerily accomplished precision. but all of her careful machinations start to crack open on the night ingrid is found dead - and one of her boyfriends may be involved.
fast-paced and easily sped through, this young adult thriller plays with moral ambiguity through the strong narrative voice of its protagonist. although the focus is on the central mystery of ingrid's death, as the story progresses you begin to understand that every character is somewhat misshapen, because of and none more so that the perspective you are guided through the story from. the purposeful distance encourages you to peel away the mystery of amelia wu the person just as you peel away the questions surrounding ingrid and her death. events and people and the nature of relationships are all hinted at but never truly expanded upon until amelia chooses, forming smaller encircling mysteries that endeavour to keep you further hooked. with an escalation of twists that never veers into unbelievable or cringeworthy, the entwining mysteries combined with the underlying character study in the form of amelia is a fun read. i would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you PenguinTeen and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Just finished this one and what a thrill! Amelia Wu had three boyfriends, only none of them know who she really is. She created a different name and persona for each one of them, a girl tailored to be the perfect match for them. It’s perfect she gets fancy dinners, lavish parties, and expensive gifts, all while scamming them out of money. She came up with the idea with her best friend Ingrid. But it’s not like they’ll keep all the money some will be donated to charities and some of it is going to a fund to help send Amelia’s mom back to school. Everything should be perfect she just had to keep careful track of all the lies and not let the boys interact. Then comes a Spring Break party, things with her and Ingrid have been off and all three boys end up at the party. Can she keep them from interacting? Things get worse when Ingrid ends up dead. It’s ruled an accident but Amelia doesn’t believe that, neither does Jackie, her rival and a friend of Ingrid’s. The two will put their differences aside to try and figure out what happened the night of the party. But Amelia still has three guys to juggle and lies to keep straight. Can she do it when the loss of her friend is overwhelming? Can she get justice for Ingrid? Or will all of Amelia’s lies be her downfall? I enjoyed the secrets and lies in this one! The mystery was intriguing and had me hooked! Twists and turns that keep going right until the very end! I love a good queer mystery and Christina Li delivered with this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was given the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Hardest Ones to Fool by Chritina Li. This is the first book that I have read by Christina Li.
As a teacher-librarian at a public school that has all reading levels --from emerging readers to university bound students--I am constantly looking for appropriate content that will interest my readers. Currently, my students are into mysteries and romance novels.
The idea of a person living different lives and lying so much was intriguing--to hear the side of the scammer, interesting.
For this novel, you need to pay close attention to details. Amelia has a secret. Actually, several secrets--as she is pretending to be different people. First, she is Amelia, the loving daughter who is desperately trying to help her mom with expenses. Then there’s Amy, There’s also Eleanor (Ellie) and finally, Mia.
With Dalton, she is … Amy. With Aditya, she is …Eleanor (Ellie) With Max she is … Mia.
She has a best friend, Ingrid, who is aware of the scams and assists Amelia, but ends up dead.
There’s also Jackie, who thinks she is an investigative reporter and is trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Ingrid. She has always competed with Amelia for academic achievement.
There was a lot to keep track of with this novel. At first, I felt strange being a direct witness to the plans and scams, then, as Amelia was trying to solve her best friend’s death, I began to like the character more.
I plan to purchase this for my library collection and recommend it to my mystery-lover patrons.
As a teacher-librarian at a public school that has all reading levels --from emerging readers to university bound students--I am constantly looking for appropriate content that will interest my readers. Currently, my students are into mysteries and romance novels.
The idea of a person living different lives and lying so much was intriguing--to hear the side of the scammer, interesting.
For this novel, you need to pay close attention to details. Amelia has a secret. Actually, several secrets--as she is pretending to be different people. First, she is Amelia, the loving daughter who is desperately trying to help her mom with expenses. Then there’s Amy, There’s also Eleanor (Ellie) and finally, Mia.
With Dalton, she is … Amy. With Aditya, she is …Eleanor (Ellie) With Max she is … Mia.
She has a best friend, Ingrid, who is aware of the scams and assists Amelia, but ends up dead.
There’s also Jackie, who thinks she is an investigative reporter and is trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Ingrid. She has always competed with Amelia for academic achievement.
There was a lot to keep track of with this novel. At first, I felt strange being a direct witness to the plans and scams, then, as Amelia was trying to solve her best friend’s death, I began to like the character more.
I plan to purchase this for my library collection and recommend it to my mystery-lover patrons.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I picked up The Hardest Ones to Fool because the idea of a girl secretly dating three rich guys while juggling multiple identities and investigating her best friend's death sounded completely ridiculous...but in a fun way. And honestly? It kind of was.
The book is definitely entertaining. Every time I thought Amelia had reached the limit of bad decisions, she somehow found a new and exciting way to make her life even more complicated. At some point, I stopped wondering how she'd get out of the mess and started wondering how she had enough hours in the day to maintain this level of chaos.
The mystery kept me reading, and there were some solid twists, but a lot of the story requires you to just smile, nod, and accept that apparently nobody around Amelia has ever heard of basic skepticism. The more elaborate her schemes became, the more I found myself raising an eyebrow.
I also never fully connected with the characters. Amelia spends so much time lying to everyone that it's hard to get emotionally invested in her relationships. When dramatic reveals happened, my reaction was less "Oh no!" and more "Well, that was probably inevitable."
That said, the book moves fast, and Christina Li does a good job keeping the tension up. It's the kind of read that's easy to binge because there's always another secret, another twist, or another questionable life choice waiting around the corner.
Overall, this was a fun enough YA thriller. Did it completely win me over? No. Did I keep turning pages to see how much worse Amelia could make things for herself? Absolutely.
The book is definitely entertaining. Every time I thought Amelia had reached the limit of bad decisions, she somehow found a new and exciting way to make her life even more complicated. At some point, I stopped wondering how she'd get out of the mess and started wondering how she had enough hours in the day to maintain this level of chaos.
The mystery kept me reading, and there were some solid twists, but a lot of the story requires you to just smile, nod, and accept that apparently nobody around Amelia has ever heard of basic skepticism. The more elaborate her schemes became, the more I found myself raising an eyebrow.
I also never fully connected with the characters. Amelia spends so much time lying to everyone that it's hard to get emotionally invested in her relationships. When dramatic reveals happened, my reaction was less "Oh no!" and more "Well, that was probably inevitable."
That said, the book moves fast, and Christina Li does a good job keeping the tension up. It's the kind of read that's easy to binge because there's always another secret, another twist, or another questionable life choice waiting around the corner.
Overall, this was a fun enough YA thriller. Did it completely win me over? No. Did I keep turning pages to see how much worse Amelia could make things for herself? Absolutely.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2☆ | this one was definitely a miss for me. And I was so excited for it too, it started off so strong but as the story went on, I just didn't care. Not about the story, or the characters, or what would happen to them.
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
This could just be me, but nothing that happened/was revealed in this book was shocking to me. I mean I just wasn't surprised by any of it, but I also just didn't care so🤷♀️
We also know that Amelia has three boyfriends. And because of that, she has multiple identities. And because she's constantly lying to everyone about everything I just didn't really like/know her, which isn't a good thing when it comes to the main character of a book. Not liking the fmc just made the book even less enjoyable for me.
The romance with Jackie also felt a bit weird, forced and out of place. I liked them as friends, but didn't see the need for them to become a couple but that could just be me.
This book was just crazy, and you kind of have to ignore the fact that absolutely none of this can happen in real life and be pulled off by a teenager as this was. It's one of those books that's just crazy and you just have to go along with it rather than question everything that's going on.
One thing I did enjoy was the pacing and the writing style. I thought that the pacing was nice, and I was able to finish the book rather quickly.
𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
With some work I think this book could be amazing! Just not quite there yet unfortunately..
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review!
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
This could just be me, but nothing that happened/was revealed in this book was shocking to me. I mean I just wasn't surprised by any of it, but I also just didn't care so🤷♀️
We also know that Amelia has three boyfriends. And because of that, she has multiple identities. And because she's constantly lying to everyone about everything I just didn't really like/know her, which isn't a good thing when it comes to the main character of a book. Not liking the fmc just made the book even less enjoyable for me.
The romance with Jackie also felt a bit weird, forced and out of place. I liked them as friends, but didn't see the need for them to become a couple but that could just be me.
This book was just crazy, and you kind of have to ignore the fact that absolutely none of this can happen in real life and be pulled off by a teenager as this was. It's one of those books that's just crazy and you just have to go along with it rather than question everything that's going on.
One thing I did enjoy was the pacing and the writing style. I thought that the pacing was nice, and I was able to finish the book rather quickly.
𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
With some work I think this book could be amazing! Just not quite there yet unfortunately..
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group, Penguin Workshop, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Amelia Wu is having a fantastic senior year, that is, until her best friend, Ingrid, turns up dead after a party. Ingrid is the whole reason Amelia has three separate identities dating three hot and rich boys! Determined to get to the bottom of what's going on, she teams up with Jackie, her academic rival, to solve the case. Keeping her identities and lies from separate becomes increasingly difficult the deeper she digs.
I loved reading about an Asian American high schooler taking on such ambitious goals. Not only vying for valedictorian, getting accepted to UC Berkeley, and scamming three rich boys, she is also determined to get to the bottom of her friend's suspicious death. I wish I could have read more stories like this when I was in high school! Getting the opportunity to become the rich, successful, and confident version(s) of yourself while dating the boy(s) that most girls only dream of... who could say no??
I thought it was a little hard to get into the story at first, since we are thrown right into the center of the schemes and tragedy, but as I got to know the boys and Amelia, it was easy to get hooked. There are so many LAYERS that slowly get revealed. I loved peeling them back one by one.
The Hardest Ones to Fool explores heritage, class, identity, and friendship in a thrilling and accessible way for teenagers. Well done!
Amelia Wu is having a fantastic senior year, that is, until her best friend, Ingrid, turns up dead after a party. Ingrid is the whole reason Amelia has three separate identities dating three hot and rich boys! Determined to get to the bottom of what's going on, she teams up with Jackie, her academic rival, to solve the case. Keeping her identities and lies from separate becomes increasingly difficult the deeper she digs.
I loved reading about an Asian American high schooler taking on such ambitious goals. Not only vying for valedictorian, getting accepted to UC Berkeley, and scamming three rich boys, she is also determined to get to the bottom of her friend's suspicious death. I wish I could have read more stories like this when I was in high school! Getting the opportunity to become the rich, successful, and confident version(s) of yourself while dating the boy(s) that most girls only dream of... who could say no??
I thought it was a little hard to get into the story at first, since we are thrown right into the center of the schemes and tragedy, but as I got to know the boys and Amelia, it was easy to get hooked. There are so many LAYERS that slowly get revealed. I loved peeling them back one by one.
The Hardest Ones to Fool explores heritage, class, identity, and friendship in a thrilling and accessible way for teenagers. Well done!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
'The Hardest Ones to Fool' is a YA thriller about Amelia Wu, a teen girl running a scam on three boys she’s dating at the same time. The boys—Dalton, Max, and Aditya—are all dating Amelia, but each knows her under a different fake identity. Although the boys couldn’t be more different from one another, they do share one thing in common: they’re very wealthy. Amelia uses their gifts and connections to fund her upcoming college expenses, a plan she came up with alongside her best friend, Ingrid. But things go horribly wrong when Ingrid turns up dead, and Amelia begins to suspect that these boys may have played a role.
I chose this book because I’m on a scammer binge right now, and I have a thing for villain protagonists. The tone, mood, and plot of this book definitely feel very YA. The big twist here is that even though Amelia is lying to and cheating on all three of her boyfriends, she specifically chose them for the motive of getting revenge.
However, there is another big twist at the end, which I wasn't expecting but really flips the story on its head. It definitely made Amelia into a very morally grey protagonist. The epilogue made me wonder if the author has plans for a sequel—which after this big twist I'm totally down for!
'The Hardest Ones to Fool' is a YA thriller about Amelia Wu, a teen girl running a scam on three boys she’s dating at the same time. The boys—Dalton, Max, and Aditya—are all dating Amelia, but each knows her under a different fake identity. Although the boys couldn’t be more different from one another, they do share one thing in common: they’re very wealthy. Amelia uses their gifts and connections to fund her upcoming college expenses, a plan she came up with alongside her best friend, Ingrid. But things go horribly wrong when Ingrid turns up dead, and Amelia begins to suspect that these boys may have played a role.
I chose this book because I’m on a scammer binge right now, and I have a thing for villain protagonists. The tone, mood, and plot of this book definitely feel very YA. The big twist here is that even though Amelia is lying to and cheating on all three of her boyfriends, she specifically chose them for the motive of getting revenge.
However, there is another big twist at the end, which I wasn't expecting but really flips the story on its head. It definitely made Amelia into a very morally grey protagonist. The epilogue made me wonder if the author has plans for a sequel—which after this big twist I'm totally down for!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Language: R (49 swears, 18 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
Amelia goes by many names—specifically Amy, Ellie, and Mia, depending on which one of her boyfriends she’s around at the time. Having artfully dealt with all three unexpectedly showing at the same party last night, Amelia is feeling good about how well everything is going. Until she learns that her best friend died last night, and the only person who agrees about the suspicious circumstances is Jackie, the nosy girl on the school newspaper vying for Amelia’s spot as valedictorian.
Just when you think you know it all and are wondering why there are still pages left, Li hits you with another sharp turn. It’s a rollercoaster of lies, betrayal, tragedy, and an irrational need to believe that each new explanation is the actual truth. Amelia’s story is one of those where I still wonder if I have all the answers or if I’m just paranoid enough now to be reading too much into every word choice. Overall, it was a wild ride that I would absolutely do all over again.
Amelia is Chinese American. Jackie is lesbian. The mature content rating is for drug and alcohol use including underage drinking, illegal activity, innuendo, and mentions of nudity and sex. The violence rating is for assault and mentions of suicide and murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Amelia goes by many names—specifically Amy, Ellie, and Mia, depending on which one of her boyfriends she’s around at the time. Having artfully dealt with all three unexpectedly showing at the same party last night, Amelia is feeling good about how well everything is going. Until she learns that her best friend died last night, and the only person who agrees about the suspicious circumstances is Jackie, the nosy girl on the school newspaper vying for Amelia’s spot as valedictorian.
Just when you think you know it all and are wondering why there are still pages left, Li hits you with another sharp turn. It’s a rollercoaster of lies, betrayal, tragedy, and an irrational need to believe that each new explanation is the actual truth. Amelia’s story is one of those where I still wonder if I have all the answers or if I’m just paranoid enough now to be reading too much into every word choice. Overall, it was a wild ride that I would absolutely do all over again.
Amelia is Chinese American. Jackie is lesbian. The mature content rating is for drug and alcohol use including underage drinking, illegal activity, innuendo, and mentions of nudity and sex. The violence rating is for assault and mentions of suicide and murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"You deserve to be locked up for what you've done. If you don't come clean to them, I'll tell them myself."
This book is pure entertainment with a chilly side of eye-opening reality about a teenage girl's life in today's tech world. If you binge-watched INVENTING ANNA on Netflix and loved the young female con type, you will devour this in one sitting. The main heroine (slash villain) is positively intoxicating.
I remember reading E. Lockhart's GENUINE FRAUD and becoming obsessed with the ease with which a writer can turn a simple teenage girl into a badass villain. The Hardest Ones to Fool is a gentler version of the same style but told in a lot more captivating way and offering a new depth to how young adults (especially girls) see their prospects in life.
The third - final - part felt almost disconnected from the initial main character's POV. It was so much more sincere. Truly a testament to the old expression “there are always two sides to every story.”
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Workshop for the chance to read this ARC.
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This book is pure entertainment with a chilly side of eye-opening reality about a teenage girl's life in today's tech world. If you binge-watched INVENTING ANNA on Netflix and loved the young female con type, you will devour this in one sitting. The main heroine (slash villain) is positively intoxicating.
I remember reading E. Lockhart's GENUINE FRAUD and becoming obsessed with the ease with which a writer can turn a simple teenage girl into a badass villain. The Hardest Ones to Fool is a gentler version of the same style but told in a lot more captivating way and offering a new depth to how young adults (especially girls) see their prospects in life.
The third - final - part felt almost disconnected from the initial main character's POV. It was so much more sincere. Truly a testament to the old expression “there are always two sides to every story.”
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Workshop for the chance to read this ARC.
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Follow for more of my reviews:
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Amelia’s best friend Ingrid goes missing after a party, she told her parents she was staying over at her house, with Amelia having no idea what was going on. She is found later, dead, presumably having fell off a cliff. But Amelia suspects there’s much more going on. That’s why she teams up with Jackie, a girl with whom she used to share a mutual dislike, to find out what really happened. Oh, and she’s a scammer with three boyfriends. Almost forgot to mention that.
Okay, so this wasn’t the most original, I won’t lie. But I read it so quickly it was honestly insane, and I’m usually a fast reader. And it was just so much fun! It’s not quite a pure murder mystery, there’s a literary fiction element to it. With a side of queer romance between the two amateur detectives! And I’ll never not like that!
The writing is very suitable for a YA mystery. It’s very quick and easy, you can fly through the book in a couple hours give or take, I’m serious. The ending, part 3, almost fooled me into thinking something else was going on, but no, we’re safe. It would’ve been something unexpected but I think I prefer the book as it is.
That one isn’t the only mystery going on too, there are little underlying mysteries all over. Everything will get sorted out in the end. And I just thought Jackie and Amelia were a lovely couple. I loved the scene when they shared their first kiss. And the scene when Amelia finds out Jackie’s a lesbian, I found it funny.
Overall, a solid read. I really enjoyed myself! 4/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, so this wasn’t the most original, I won’t lie. But I read it so quickly it was honestly insane, and I’m usually a fast reader. And it was just so much fun! It’s not quite a pure murder mystery, there’s a literary fiction element to it. With a side of queer romance between the two amateur detectives! And I’ll never not like that!
The writing is very suitable for a YA mystery. It’s very quick and easy, you can fly through the book in a couple hours give or take, I’m serious. The ending, part 3, almost fooled me into thinking something else was going on, but no, we’re safe. It would’ve been something unexpected but I think I prefer the book as it is.
That one isn’t the only mystery going on too, there are little underlying mysteries all over. Everything will get sorted out in the end. And I just thought Jackie and Amelia were a lovely couple. I loved the scene when they shared their first kiss. And the scene when Amelia finds out Jackie’s a lesbian, I found it funny.
Overall, a solid read. I really enjoyed myself! 4/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
✨ARC Review✨📖
First, I’d like to thank Christina Li, Barnes & Noble and their Book Festival event that made it possible for me to have this arc in my hands, and Penguin Workshop.
This book is a quick, engaging read that follows Amelia Wu, a girl who is living her own life as a high school student and three other lives with her three other boyfriends until sh*t hits the fan and her lies starts to catch up to her and the ones she cares about.
I had a fun time reading this, but I did find myself expecting a bit more when it came to the twists. The beginning felt somewhat scattered and all over the place, though the story became more cohesive and compelling as it progressed into the middle.
As for Amelia, she’s definitely a complex character. I didn’t particularly like her at first,— but then as you get deeper into the story more unravels about her and then you notice you start to feel bad for her and then hate her again. She really takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Overall, I would recommend giving this book a try, especially if you enjoy messy and character-driven stories with drama.
First, I’d like to thank Christina Li, Barnes & Noble and their Book Festival event that made it possible for me to have this arc in my hands, and Penguin Workshop.
This book is a quick, engaging read that follows Amelia Wu, a girl who is living her own life as a high school student and three other lives with her three other boyfriends until sh*t hits the fan and her lies starts to catch up to her and the ones she cares about.
I had a fun time reading this, but I did find myself expecting a bit more when it came to the twists. The beginning felt somewhat scattered and all over the place, though the story became more cohesive and compelling as it progressed into the middle.
As for Amelia, she’s definitely a complex character. I didn’t particularly like her at first,— but then as you get deeper into the story more unravels about her and then you notice you start to feel bad for her and then hate her again. She really takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Overall, I would recommend giving this book a try, especially if you enjoy messy and character-driven stories with drama.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
This book starts right off with introducing Amelia's three boyfriends. I requested this book because I thought this premise was so interesting even though I'm usually not a big fan of YA thrillers. I felt like this book might have benefitted a little more from aging up the characters to college to make the premise a little more believable. I also wish the synopsis had mentioned it but there was an additional character, Ingrid, who was helping Amelia date three boys. I was under the impression that Amelia was dating three boys for personal enjoyment rather then as part of a larger scheme.
The murder plotline seemed to be random as the character in question wasn't really well-introduced. Additionally, the teaming up of Amelia with Jackie also felt random since they didn't particularly like each other either. I didn't really like Jackie as a character, I felt like she was insensitive and frankly, kind of nosy. I will say that the ending was actually quite unexpected although a little disappointing. Overall, this was a fun and quick read!
This book starts right off with introducing Amelia's three boyfriends. I requested this book because I thought this premise was so interesting even though I'm usually not a big fan of YA thrillers. I felt like this book might have benefitted a little more from aging up the characters to college to make the premise a little more believable. I also wish the synopsis had mentioned it but there was an additional character, Ingrid, who was helping Amelia date three boys. I was under the impression that Amelia was dating three boys for personal enjoyment rather then as part of a larger scheme.
The murder plotline seemed to be random as the character in question wasn't really well-introduced. Additionally, the teaming up of Amelia with Jackie also felt random since they didn't particularly like each other either. I didn't really like Jackie as a character, I felt like she was insensitive and frankly, kind of nosy. I will say that the ending was actually quite unexpected although a little disappointing. Overall, this was a fun and quick read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was blown away by this book in the most unexpected way. While YA, I didn't feel it was beneath my reading level or that it was inappropriate for the intended audience. That's rare, and add in interesting characters and a fast-paced plot as well as twists and turns. I was hooked.
Amelia Wu is a senior in high school, dating 3 wealthy boys at the same time. How she juggles this is beyond me, with 3 alter egos to protect her identity. The reason for dating these specific boys will be explained later. After a party at Dalton's house, her best friend Ingrid is missing and then confirmed dead. It appears accidental, although Amelia is heartbroken and suspicious.
The book is divided into 3 parts, never dragging or taking too long. Once revealed, the motives seem to indicate revenge, which is juicy, but revenge for what? I won't give anything away, but I was riveted through the end with the final twists. Very well done. This book is available August 4, you will want to read it.
Amelia Wu is a senior in high school, dating 3 wealthy boys at the same time. How she juggles this is beyond me, with 3 alter egos to protect her identity. The reason for dating these specific boys will be explained later. After a party at Dalton's house, her best friend Ingrid is missing and then confirmed dead. It appears accidental, although Amelia is heartbroken and suspicious.
The book is divided into 3 parts, never dragging or taking too long. Once revealed, the motives seem to indicate revenge, which is juicy, but revenge for what? I won't give anything away, but I was riveted through the end with the final twists. Very well done. This book is available August 4, you will want to read it.
April 11, 2026
3.5 stars
Amelia, our main character in this story, is not the most likable character, and neither are her three other alter ego that are actively scamming three young men. Now, while you may want to feel sympathy for these young men, there’s really no need to cause they and their families are definitely living the life of privilege and avoiding all consequences because of that. Everything is going OK until her best friend dies after a party at one of their houses. As she pairs with her nemesis to solve the murder it’s clear that lots of people were telling lots of stories, the truth seems to be a very moldable thing for most of the characters in this book.
I really liked the concept of this book and I think scammers in general are really interesting characters, not like the ones that send you weird emails, although some people do get sucked into those, but the ones who really and truly live double triple lives. My thing was just that this felt much longer than it actually was and there were times I was finding myself drifting an interest.
Amelia, our main character in this story, is not the most likable character, and neither are her three other alter ego that are actively scamming three young men. Now, while you may want to feel sympathy for these young men, there’s really no need to cause they and their families are definitely living the life of privilege and avoiding all consequences because of that. Everything is going OK until her best friend dies after a party at one of their houses. As she pairs with her nemesis to solve the murder it’s clear that lots of people were telling lots of stories, the truth seems to be a very moldable thing for most of the characters in this book.
I really liked the concept of this book and I think scammers in general are really interesting characters, not like the ones that send you weird emails, although some people do get sucked into those, but the ones who really and truly live double triple lives. My thing was just that this felt much longer than it actually was and there were times I was finding myself drifting an interest.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm having mixed feelings about this one. While it was a really quick, intruiging read, the writing felt unpolished and like it needed another pass from an editor. Since it was an ARC that I read, I'm hoping some of the things that bothered me might get picked up on and tweaked before publication, but I don't know if that will happen.
That being said, the plot itself was really interesting and pulled me in. I did wish we could have seen more of Amelia's scamming, because what little we saw was really...fun? Seems wrong to describe it that way, but it was.
I mostly enjoyed Amelia as a character and really appreciated her tenuous relationship with Jackie and how that evolved throughout the book.
There was a twist at the end that was simultaneously shocking and predictable? Like, I had suspected it a little bit so when it came it was almost underwhelming. I don't know, it just didn't hit as hard as I wished it would.
Overall, a good escape.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
That being said, the plot itself was really interesting and pulled me in. I did wish we could have seen more of Amelia's scamming, because what little we saw was really...fun? Seems wrong to describe it that way, but it was.
I mostly enjoyed Amelia as a character and really appreciated her tenuous relationship with Jackie and how that evolved throughout the book.
There was a twist at the end that was simultaneously shocking and predictable? Like, I had suspected it a little bit so when it came it was almost underwhelming. I don't know, it just didn't hit as hard as I wished it would.
Overall, a good escape.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Hardest Ones to Fool was a solid read. It’s a fast-paced and intriguing YA mystery thriller with a really fun concept that immediately pulled me in.
I liked Amelia and the multiple lives she was juggling — somehow, despite all her schemes, I still found myself rooting for her. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Amelia and her academic rival Jackie as they worked together to uncover the truth behind her best friend’s death.
That said, while there were definitely moments I enjoyed, some parts felt a little underdeveloped and didn’t fully land for me emotionally.
Overall, though, this was an entertaining thriller with plenty of drama, secrets, and twists. I’d still recommend it to readers who enjoy messy characters, scandal-filled YA thrillers, and fast-paced mysteries. I can definitely see this working really well for a lot of YA thriller readers.
Looking forward to reading more from Christina Li.
Thank you to NetGalley, Christina Li, and penguinteen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Amelia and the multiple lives she was juggling — somehow, despite all her schemes, I still found myself rooting for her. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Amelia and her academic rival Jackie as they worked together to uncover the truth behind her best friend’s death.
That said, while there were definitely moments I enjoyed, some parts felt a little underdeveloped and didn’t fully land for me emotionally.
Overall, though, this was an entertaining thriller with plenty of drama, secrets, and twists. I’d still recommend it to readers who enjoy messy characters, scandal-filled YA thrillers, and fast-paced mysteries. I can definitely see this working really well for a lot of YA thriller readers.
Looking forward to reading more from Christina Li.
Thank you to NetGalley, Christina Li, and penguinteen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The hardest ones to fool by Christina Li
OUT ON 4th of August
Ask yourself, is 1 better then 3? Or is 1 just enough?
In this YA story we follow Amelia Wu and her best friend Ingrid.
Amelia has created 3 persona's for her 3 boyfriends.
She is a perfect match for all.
Get fancy gifts and dinners and lovely parties all the while scamming them for there money.
The boys don't know that they're with the same woman until one party at Spring break.
When her best friend and master scammer is murdered she has to find out what happend while keeping her characters going and the boyfriends apart.
What is she going to do to keep her story to her boyfriends and is it murder or not?
Does any of the boyfriends has something to do with it?
Pick up this story and enjoy this entertaining read.
Thanks to @netgalley and @penguinyoungreadersgroup for my E Arc
Thanks to @christinaliwrites for this entertaining read.
I really had a good time 😃
The hardest ones to fool by Christina Li
OUT ON 4th of August
Ask yourself, is 1 better then 3? Or is 1 just enough?
In this YA story we follow Amelia Wu and her best friend Ingrid.
Amelia has created 3 persona's for her 3 boyfriends.
She is a perfect match for all.
Get fancy gifts and dinners and lovely parties all the while scamming them for there money.
The boys don't know that they're with the same woman until one party at Spring break.
When her best friend and master scammer is murdered she has to find out what happend while keeping her characters going and the boyfriends apart.
What is she going to do to keep her story to her boyfriends and is it murder or not?
Does any of the boyfriends has something to do with it?
Pick up this story and enjoy this entertaining read.
Thanks to @netgalley and @penguinyoungreadersgroup for my E Arc
Thanks to @christinaliwrites for this entertaining read.
I really had a good time 😃
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This one was a mixed bag for me - I’m still trying to decide what I think about this one and its main character Amelia Wu. Positives: it’s a fast-paced read and kept me engaged throughout the story. Amelia and her best friend Ingrid seemed to have noble reasons for Amelia’s scamming of three wealthy boys, creating personas to entice and ensnare the boys in romantic relationships for her personal gain (and revenge). It’s an intriguing, well-executed premise. The negatives come into play later, and I can’t really reveal them without spoilers. Suffice it to say that Amelia became much less likable (to me, at least) as the story progressed, and that diminished my enjoyment somewhat. Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I’d recommend it for lovers of YA suspense and mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ah the intense teen murder mystery thrillers- this one featuring a girl with multiple names and multiple romantic relationships to string along as part of an elaborate scheme which is sidelined after the death of her friend Ingrid- who fell down a cliff at a party supposedly accidentally and drunk. But the story unravels from there in multiple parts that Amelia also has to confront parts of herself, the fake relationships with multiple boys (and for what end), and the family turmoil that also adds to the level of intensity to the mystery.
A reader must certainly suspend a lot of disbelief that a teen can accomplish these tasks with such a precision but it's in the vein of the heists, imposters, and multiple personalities of other such titles. It's intense and full of secrets but it works.
A reader must certainly suspend a lot of disbelief that a teen can accomplish these tasks with such a precision but it's in the vein of the heists, imposters, and multiple personalities of other such titles. It's intense and full of secrets but it works.
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