The Hardest Ones to Fool

by Christina Li

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.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Fiction, Romance

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 19, 2026

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

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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[Christina Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

rating my book for the first time so that people know this is the correct Goodreads edition 🫶 happy reading

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Racquel Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

delicious

[snazzy pen ✰]

This 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!!

[Chelsea]

Review to come on 8/4

[Padmavathy Divakaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kelesea · Rating 5 out of 5]

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...

[niam · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Jada · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Julie Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

"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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[lorenzodulac · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Cherish Noel · Rating 2 out of 5]

✨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.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Gina Malanga · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Cathy | A Case Full of Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.*

[Jasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group / Penguin Workshop for the gifted ARC!

📚 The Hardest Ones to Fool by Christina Li
🗓 8-4-2026

"Here on the cliffs where you died, it truly feels like I am alone, like I am at the edge of the earth, claimed and tethered by nothing."

🪩Review:
Well done - wow! I am absolutely shocked by how this book turned out. My first thought after finishing it was "I was not expecting that!" and I think that's always the sign of a great thriller.

I loved the premise of the book and Amelia's schemes. She knew what she wanted and she went after it with the confidence of a celebrity.

I also loved the San Diego/La Jolla setting... such a beautiful area.

The murder mystery was excellent and I think the pacing of the book for this type of thriller was ideal. Will definitely recommend!

[Liis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a suspenseful read! I thoroughly enjoyed how a story about scamming three boys from wealthy families explored the dynamics of friendships and trust. The book follows Amelia who juggles keeping up with three boyfriends, graduating high school, and loss of a dear friend. As she keeps digging into what happened at the night of her friend's death more secrets are revealed to add layers to the scam Amelia and her friend had orchestrated.
Throughout the book there are little hints and inconsistencies that guide the reader to the eventual reveals. I had a lot of fun trying to figure out what had actually happened and was very happy with the twisty surprises.
This was a fast paced read that definitely kept me turning pages.

Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia Wu is so skilled at juggling relationships that she’s managing three at once and each boyfriend knows a different version of her. But secrets have a way of spiraling out of control. When her best friend is found dead, Amelia is forced to team up with her longtime rival, Jackie, to uncover the truth.

Who’s responsible? One of the boyfriends… or someone else entirely?

This was such a fun and fast paced read that is perfect for teen and young adult thriller fans. The twists kept me guessing right up to the final pages. I really enjoyed Christina’s writing style and can’t wait to pick up more of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Christina, and Penguin Young Readers Group for the eARC!


Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: Aug 18,2026

#TheHardestOnestoFool #NetGalley

[Ashley Lossie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a two star read mainly because it was at least a quick and easy read and because the ending was genuinely strong.

Unfortunately, that’s about where the positives end for me. The story felt very shallow, and I think the short length worked against it. There wasn’t enough depth to the plot or themes to make anything really land. On top of that, I didn’t connect with any of the characters. They felt underdeveloped and hard to care about, which made it difficult to stay invested.

Even so, I have to give credit where it’s due: the ending really worked for me and was easily the highlight of the book. It’s the main reason this didn’t drop to a lower rating. Overall, though, this one just didn’t work for me.

[Jes Rorschach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies, lies, and more lies. Amelia Wu is trying lead multiple lives, none of which are her own. This story is very reminiscent of the "billionaire heiress," Anna Delvey and her made up life. Amelia tries to pretend ro be something she isn't in three separate relationships and in the midst, her best friend dies. She continues the charades in hopes of uncovering what really happened to Ingrid. While she attempts to hide each of her secret relationships from one another she gets caught up in a huge web that even she has a hard time unraveling. It's so nerve-wracking to see whether all her lies will finallt catch up to her, while trying to determine the actual truth that's buried under all her lies. I could definitely picture the story unfolding before me.

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wild and fun ride.

Amelia is dating 3 boys at once while assuming fake identities. A plan she made with her best friend, Ingrid. At first you’re left wondering, why? What does she have to gain from these three boys? When Ingrid’s body is found after a party one of her boyfriend’s three she discovers the world she created is a lot smaller than it appears.

For most of this book I couldn’t stand Amelia. I kept wondering why she was doing what she was doing. As the story unfurled I found myself thinking of her much differently and even rooting for her. Boy oh boy was she something else.


Thank you to net-galley for the e-arc.

[Jackie Welcel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book with a very different storyline. Amelia's best friend is found dead after falling off a cliff at a party. Amelia has 3 identities and 3 boyfriends per a plan she made with her late friend, Ingrid. There seems to be a possibility that one of these boys had something to do with the death. Amelia is determined to find out what happened, if it was an accident or murder and who was involved. She becomes close to Jackie who works on the school paper and was also a good friend to Ingrid. There are so many wild twists and surprises in this book. Everything gets nicely explained so we know what really happened but is the story truly over? Maybe not! Good read.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was spooky and vibey and I absolutely sped through it (if I remember correctly, this was only about 200 pages, so it is a rather short book as well)!

This has a murder mystery and complicated relationship dynamics (of all kinds). And those two things are related. Our main character is just trying to figure out how and why and what's going on and why is everyone being so weird about it.

This was a really fun and entertaining read. If you like a mystery that surrounds complicated relationships and the drama that causes, definitely check this out. This was so twisty, I was never bored.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for honest review!

[Stephanie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
Amelia is dating three different boys using three different alias with the help of her best friend, Ingrid. Then Ingrid turns up dead and she has to investigate the murder with the help of her archenemy Jackie.

This was very entertaining, and I was pulled in from the start. I read it in one sitting. The were so many twist and turns. I did find some of it to be unrealistic but who cares. You can’t put it down. Even though Amelia is a scammer and a liar I still found her likable. I wanted her to continue to get away with scamming these boys.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.