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Natural Selection
When three friends in a tiny rural town realise they've all been the victim of the same guy, they plan a revenge prank in the woods. But things take a distinctly dark turn with an accident, a snowstorm and the appearance of a grizzly bear.
Now the girls share a terrible secret.
But when bear attacks on local men begin to multiply the girls start to wonder, truly, who is more dangerous?
When it comes to boys and bears, always choose the bear.
A powerful, page-turning coming-of-rage story
Now the girls share a terrible secret.
But when bear attacks on local men begin to multiply the girls start to wonder, truly, who is more dangerous?
When it comes to boys and bears, always choose the bear.
A powerful, page-turning coming-of-rage story
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Clare Edge
5 books238 followersClare Edge is an author (and witch) who was raised in the Rocky Mountains. Her books include the middle grade series ACCIDENTAL DEMONS, YA thrillers NATURAL SELECTION & CRUEL INSTINCTS, and the adult gothic fantasy HAMLET & JULIET.
She has too many degrees, too few cats, and often too much or too little blood sugar. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her spouse and their stubborn (and utterly perfect) corgi, Carbs. Clare can be found on most socials as @clarewonders and online at clareedge.com
She has too many degrees, too few cats, and often too much or too little blood sugar. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her spouse and their stubborn (and utterly perfect) corgi, Carbs. Clare can be found on most socials as @clarewonders and online at clareedge.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I already loved Clare Edge from her diabetic teen witch middle grade series, but writing a book about the whole "Would you choose the man or the bear?" situation is honestly so iconic. What a queen. The book might not have been exactly what I expected from such a premise, but I wasn't disappointed either. We follow three teen girls who unfortunately have to grow up in a rural, gun-loving, your-body-my-choice area of the US. The town of Riverside may have a bear problem, but Megan, Bee and Outlaw know that there are way more dangerous predators than that – and that they don't hide in the forest. As the volleyball captain, the witchy goth and the homecoming queen / valedictorian the three girls lead quite different lives, but they agree that things have gotten out of hand with the boys of the town lately. Especially Megan's boyfriend Kevin assaults girls whenever he feels like it and it's clear that he will never face any punishment. So Megan, Bee and Outlaw swear to destroy him on their own. They plan to scare and embarrass him in the woods and make him confess, but the night ends with him being dragged away by a bear, with none of the girls willing to help him. That sounds so badass to me and I thought we would be going freaky places, but the story took a different route. The girls don't become dark and unhinged but are actually pretty messed-up after this situation. This was such a great choice for me, because not only did it make the story more realistic but it also showed that the girls actually cared about the consequences of their actions, unlike many other characters in this book. I also really liked how this book showed why people are ready to excuse horrifying actions or actively decide to ignore them. I didn't expect this perspective at all, but now I'm glad that it was included. It's more of a character-focused story in general and that part is well done, but the plot was a bit too meandering for me. At least I never had the impression that it was really leading up to anything. It was school and bonfires and parties and then another dead man in the woods, and all that repeated with a bit of teen romance in between. With that said, I was actually very pleasantly surprised by the ending and I love that the book got unapologetically angry and feral eventually. The theme is so infuriating that it simply was necessary to make the girls prevail in such a grim world. It never gets too descriptive, but I would definitely recommend to check trigger warnings for SA and rape. It's such an important book for this day and age we unfortunately have to live in and I'm thrilled that it was published. I hope that young girls will find their claws with its help.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2026
There are predators in Riverside. It's why everyone knows to carry bear spray, to watch out for grizzlies. But those are only the predators that people talk about. The girls of Riverside know: The predators aren't only in the woods.
Power is intoxicating. It's safety. It's certainty you will be okay because you can tear the safety away from those who might threaten it. (loc. 3352*)
This was gripping, and at the time of reading I think my favorite YA novel of the past two years. Make no mistake: It's a dark book, with multiple types of violence and a fair amount of blood and gore and boys carrying shotguns around the school with impunity. The plot is not entirely unexpected, though it gets intense far faster than I would have anticipated—let's just say that revenge is the beginning of the story, not the end.
But what I'm really here for is the intensity of the friendships. Megan and Outlaw (can you guess which one of these is a nickname?) have been friends forever, and Bee is relatively new in town. They don't click immediately: Megan doesn't want to hear the hard truths, and Outlaw holds a barrier between herself and the world, and Bee is (rightly) afraid of her role as newcomer and outsider. Megan is the school's alpha girl, and Outlaw does her own thing but is—largely—untouchable, and Bee knows full well that her brand of different is not really welcome here. But: I love how hard Megan has to interrogate her own reactions and instincts. I love that the three of them have to work to make it work. I love that they wrestle, over and over again throughout the course of the book, with the implications and consequences of their actions.
And yet: There are predators in Riverside. And it's time someone did something about it.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Power is intoxicating. It's safety. It's certainty you will be okay because you can tear the safety away from those who might threaten it. (loc. 3352*)
This was gripping, and at the time of reading I think my favorite YA novel of the past two years. Make no mistake: It's a dark book, with multiple types of violence and a fair amount of blood and gore and boys carrying shotguns around the school with impunity. The plot is not entirely unexpected, though it gets intense far faster than I would have anticipated—let's just say that revenge is the beginning of the story, not the end.
But what I'm really here for is the intensity of the friendships. Megan and Outlaw (can you guess which one of these is a nickname?) have been friends forever, and Bee is relatively new in town. They don't click immediately: Megan doesn't want to hear the hard truths, and Outlaw holds a barrier between herself and the world, and Bee is (rightly) afraid of her role as newcomer and outsider. Megan is the school's alpha girl, and Outlaw does her own thing but is—largely—untouchable, and Bee knows full well that her brand of different is not really welcome here. But: I love how hard Megan has to interrogate her own reactions and instincts. I love that the three of them have to work to make it work. I love that they wrestle, over and over again throughout the course of the book, with the implications and consequences of their actions.
And yet: There are predators in Riverside. And it's time someone did something about it.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
July 2, 2026
"Sure, there are things out there that could hurt me, but not nearly as many as the ones hiding inside most of the houses in this town. The men this town raises have always scared me more than the animals that wait in the woods."
This was a book that I almost slept on. I tried getting into it once before and it just wasn’t happening. I decided to give it another go and I’m so glad that I did. It had me hooked early on and I couldn’t tear into this fast enough.
Animal horror reads are ones that I'm always on the hunt for. Good ones are so hard to find. Then this one reared its head and I lost my mind. First of all, the ones who are dying deserve everything they have coming to them. I mean, I'm not saying it's good but I'm also not saying it's terrible. It's one of those ones where I'll turn a blind eye on things and tell people that I know nothing and see nothing. *shrugs*
This was a really fantastic book about female rage and ending that 'boy will be boys' bulls**t. The friendship between these three girls and what grows between them as they take down these feral fearing men is empowering. This book shows you that It's time to bite back! Never back down! And tell men where they can stick their crappy behavior! If you can't tell how I feel about this book, it was f**king amazing!!
Oh, I’ll always choose the bear.
This was a book that I almost slept on. I tried getting into it once before and it just wasn’t happening. I decided to give it another go and I’m so glad that I did. It had me hooked early on and I couldn’t tear into this fast enough.
Animal horror reads are ones that I'm always on the hunt for. Good ones are so hard to find. Then this one reared its head and I lost my mind. First of all, the ones who are dying deserve everything they have coming to them. I mean, I'm not saying it's good but I'm also not saying it's terrible. It's one of those ones where I'll turn a blind eye on things and tell people that I know nothing and see nothing. *shrugs*
This was a really fantastic book about female rage and ending that 'boy will be boys' bulls**t. The friendship between these three girls and what grows between them as they take down these feral fearing men is empowering. This book shows you that It's time to bite back! Never back down! And tell men where they can stick their crappy behavior! If you can't tell how I feel about this book, it was f**king amazing!!
Oh, I’ll always choose the bear.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.75 / 5 stars (Rounded up to 4) ⭐
"The bear maulings are not the true horror in this book, the men are."
Natural Selection by Clare Edge nails the slasher atmosphere perfectly—it’s creepy, atmospheric, fast-paced, and full of high-stakes momentum. While reading, you definitely feel the YA genre, but the overall aftertaste is pure slasher movie energy.
What I loved:
🐻 The lingering slasher aftertaste.
🐻 How directly it confronts the outdated "boys will be boys" mentality (honestly, the bear is smarter than the average misogynist man here).
🐻 Tackling backwater town homophobia head-on.
🐻 Aiden—awkward, confident yet insecure, and gently incisive. He definitely deserves to be an honorary Megan!
🐻 Realizing how this book could end up in the hands of an unsuspecting reader and serve as the ultimate wake-up call to stop playing along.
Final thoughts:
The only reason this isn't a top-tier rating for me comes down to personal genre fatigue. I’ve hit a bit of a wall with how many recent dark reads rely heavily on sexual violence and trauma plotlines. While it’s handled well here, it just hit at a moment where I needed a break from those heavy themes.
Still a solid, thrilling read with a great ending if you're looking for page-turning slasher energy!
IG CAROUSEL WITH "READING EXPERIENCE IN GIFS" WILL BE OUT ON SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST
Pre-read
The cover is cool (even if I hate pink), the reviews already look sooo promising, and the mood is hitting just right (for once it doesn't go against a deadline item), so wish me luck!
____________
Netgalley is on a roll with my approvals today! YAY! Keep it going! (even if my % will drop :D)
"The bear maulings are not the true horror in this book, the men are."
Natural Selection by Clare Edge nails the slasher atmosphere perfectly—it’s creepy, atmospheric, fast-paced, and full of high-stakes momentum. While reading, you definitely feel the YA genre, but the overall aftertaste is pure slasher movie energy.
What I loved:
🐻 The lingering slasher aftertaste.
🐻 How directly it confronts the outdated "boys will be boys" mentality (honestly, the bear is smarter than the average misogynist man here).
🐻 Tackling backwater town homophobia head-on.
🐻 Aiden—awkward, confident yet insecure, and gently incisive. He definitely deserves to be an honorary Megan!
🐻 Realizing how this book could end up in the hands of an unsuspecting reader and serve as the ultimate wake-up call to stop playing along.
Final thoughts:
The only reason this isn't a top-tier rating for me comes down to personal genre fatigue. I’ve hit a bit of a wall with how many recent dark reads rely heavily on sexual violence and trauma plotlines. While it’s handled well here, it just hit at a moment where I needed a break from those heavy themes.
Still a solid, thrilling read with a great ending if you're looking for page-turning slasher energy!
IG CAROUSEL WITH "READING EXPERIENCE IN GIFS" WILL BE OUT ON SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST
Pre-read
The cover is cool (even if I hate pink), the reviews already look sooo promising, and the mood is hitting just right (for once it doesn't go against a deadline item), so wish me luck!
____________
Netgalley is on a roll with my approvals today! YAY! Keep it going! (even if my % will drop :D)
September 14, 2026
yes, this is truly a teen revenge novel based on the would you choose the man or the bear? debate. for these small-town rocky mountain girls, there's no question.
toward the middle of the novel there are some moments where the feral revenge plot is bogged down by the two romance subplots. one of these is the tentative secret sapphic connection between outlaw and bee, and the other is megan's first connection with a man who is kind and nonthreatening. both of these romances are sweet, and both are important for character development, but they're just not as interesting as the rest of the story.
the character work is great overall, as are the fierce friendships. i particularly love megan's arc of coming to terms with the fact that her cop dad is a shitbag who safeguards sexual predators. the girls must protect themselves and each other, because they can't count on any purported guardians to protect them. the community culpability is sickening.
the are unbelievably badass, and i wanted more. this is undoubtedly a book about rage, but i love that the resolution is about
the inclusion of tarot has some moments that are way too on-the-nose, but it's still nice to see a cool card-pulling teen goth. there's a particularly nice point about the strength card, and how being strong often means surrendering.
▴▴▴
toward the middle of the novel there are some moments where the feral revenge plot is bogged down by the two romance subplots. one of these is the tentative secret sapphic connection between outlaw and bee, and the other is megan's first connection with a man who is kind and nonthreatening. both of these romances are sweet, and both are important for character development, but they're just not as interesting as the rest of the story.
the character work is great overall, as are the fierce friendships. i particularly love megan's arc of coming to terms with the fact that her cop dad is a shitbag who safeguards sexual predators. the girls must protect themselves and each other, because they can't count on any purported guardians to protect them. the community culpability is sickening.
the are unbelievably badass, and i wanted more. this is undoubtedly a book about rage, but i love that the resolution is about
the inclusion of tarot has some moments that are way too on-the-nose, but it's still nice to see a cool card-pulling teen goth. there's a particularly nice point about the strength card, and how being strong often means surrendering.
▴▴▴
And then she's kissing me again, and I feel an animal hunger rise in me that has nothing to do with the memory of being a bear and everything to do with the fierceness of being a girl.
August 27, 2026
Hahaha, I had no idea this was YA and I was thinking, this is wild for an adult book to be so juvenile and then when I found out it was from the children’s division of its publisher I was thinking wow, this is wild how adult this book is. The teen girl in my loved this, the adult man loved it less. Big kudos though for taking on an unfortunately all too real horror for far too many women of all ages in a way that is sassy and page turning, and turns the usual tropes on their heads.
August 12, 2026
Towards the end of the story, Freaky Friday came to mind. Most of the story read like a contemporary young adult with little bit of romance and mystery. Freaky Friday came when I realized what happened with the bears. I forgot there's the fantasy and paranormal in the genre list. I enjoyed reading and listening to the audiobook with multiple narrators. If listening alone, all three Megans sometimes sound alike and I'm not too clear on whose view I'm following until their name came up.
The story followed three teens, all named Megan or Meghan but one with a nickname Outlaw and the other Bee. They were all hurt by Kevin in different ways. They decided to prank him at bonfire night but it went further than planned. They were to scare him with the bear sound in the woods but a "real" bear appeared and dragged him away.
Later, the three Megan/Meghan were dealing with the aftermath differently. One Megan was Kevin's girlfriend and his Homecoming Queen. She didn't feel heartbroken like a girlfriend should. Outlaw had nightmares and needed to run. Bee heard her name being called but dealt with the weird vibes alone because she's new in town.
Later, more deaths occurred with the "bad" men in town. The three Megans woke up with lost memories and unexplained situations. There's also a connection with Cally, another mystery teen in town.
It's one way for the guys to pay for their crimes. Apparently nowadays, public shame and embarrassment doesn't seem to scare people into stopping their bad behaviors. We need the Megans to come and teach all the bad guys/gals a lesson.
Thank you Getunderlined and PRHAudio for the opportunity to read, listen, and review.
The story followed three teens, all named Megan or Meghan but one with a nickname Outlaw and the other Bee. They were all hurt by Kevin in different ways. They decided to prank him at bonfire night but it went further than planned. They were to scare him with the bear sound in the woods but a "real" bear appeared and dragged him away.
Later, the three Megan/Meghan were dealing with the aftermath differently. One Megan was Kevin's girlfriend and his Homecoming Queen. She didn't feel heartbroken like a girlfriend should. Outlaw had nightmares and needed to run. Bee heard her name being called but dealt with the weird vibes alone because she's new in town.
Later, more deaths occurred with the "bad" men in town. The three Megans woke up with lost memories and unexplained situations. There's also a connection with Cally, another mystery teen in town.
It's one way for the guys to pay for their crimes. Apparently nowadays, public shame and embarrassment doesn't seem to scare people into stopping their bad behaviors. We need the Megans to come and teach all the bad guys/gals a lesson.
Thank you Getunderlined and PRHAudio for the opportunity to read, listen, and review.
July 2, 2025
Yeah, this is the "I choose the bear" book I never knew I needed. A story about female objectification, small town culpability for continuing "boys will be boys," and standing up in the absolute most feral way possible. Definitely supporting women's rights and wrongs with this one.
Thank you to the author for the early copy!
Thank you to the author for the early copy!
Read
October 16, 2025Anything Clare writes should be an instant add to your TBR from now until the end of time. A masterful YA debut and a skin-crawling, gory punch of truly unique feminist horror :) Cannot wait to see the cover this gets btw
August 30, 2026
This was such a messy, fun 13 Reasons Why if Hannah Baker said “actually, fuck this” and chose violence. 🐻🩸
I’ve been so ridiculously off my reading game lately. Everything has been feeling blahhh, and then these girls showed up ready to wreak some havoc and suddenly I was INVESTED.
Was I able to see where this was going? Yes.
Did I care? Nope.
Was I sitting there like 👀🍿 waiting to see how messy it was going to get? Absolutely.
Three girls. One golden boy. A town full of secrets. And a bear with what appears to be a very specific hit list.
In the small mountain town of Riverside, three girls are done playing nice. Megan “Outlaw” Lawless hates Kevin Johnson, the town’s golden boy. Megan Deloria is his girlfriend and Riverside royalty. And Bee is the new girl who desperately wants to forget what happened at a party with Kevin last summer. When a grizzly starts picking off known abusers around town, the girls begin to realize maybe the new natural order isn't as random as everyone thinks.
This was dark, feminist, ridiculous in the best way, and just FUN. It had that delicious “oh no… OH NO… well, I guess we’re doing this now” energy that kept me turning pages and honestly, this was exactly the kind of chaotic little palate cleanser my reading slump needed.
The “when it comes to boys and bears, always choose the bear” agenda is alive and well over here. 😂
I’ve been so ridiculously off my reading game lately. Everything has been feeling blahhh, and then these girls showed up ready to wreak some havoc and suddenly I was INVESTED.
Was I able to see where this was going? Yes.
Did I care? Nope.
Was I sitting there like 👀🍿 waiting to see how messy it was going to get? Absolutely.
Three girls. One golden boy. A town full of secrets. And a bear with what appears to be a very specific hit list.
In the small mountain town of Riverside, three girls are done playing nice. Megan “Outlaw” Lawless hates Kevin Johnson, the town’s golden boy. Megan Deloria is his girlfriend and Riverside royalty. And Bee is the new girl who desperately wants to forget what happened at a party with Kevin last summer. When a grizzly starts picking off known abusers around town, the girls begin to realize maybe the new natural order isn't as random as everyone thinks.
This was dark, feminist, ridiculous in the best way, and just FUN. It had that delicious “oh no… OH NO… well, I guess we’re doing this now” energy that kept me turning pages and honestly, this was exactly the kind of chaotic little palate cleanser my reading slump needed.
The “when it comes to boys and bears, always choose the bear” agenda is alive and well over here. 😂
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wanted to like this more. The premise is really interesting, but the execution didn’t fully work for me. At times, the writing felt overly focused on being trendy, and the feminism came across as forced rather than genuine. By the end, I found myself wishing Edge had leaned more heavily into its supernatural elements instead of keeping them on the back burner.
July 28, 2026
I wish I liked this book more than I did because I really enjoyed the idea. Unfortunately, it fell just about flat everywhere for me.
I will say that the book is easy to get in to it and quick to get through. I had to just ignore / wince at a lot of the comments made to get through it. For example, ‘And then the self-loathing washes over me again, and I almost wish I had the eating disorder everyone accuses me of having. A purge sounds cathartic.’ Yikes. On one hand, this is very true to this character to say something insensitive and out of touch like this, so its inclusion doesn’t necessarily feel peculiar. However, I found that she never had any sort of character growth and a lot of these comments went unchallenged and it just ultimately didn’t really make me feel good.
I think the three main characters were fine, although I sometimes got them mixed up with each other. I didn’t find the friendships that believable which was a shame.
I think a lot more could have been done to lead up to and explore the twist at the end.
Overall, an okay book but not one I would really recommend.
I will say that the book is easy to get in to it and quick to get through. I had to just ignore / wince at a lot of the comments made to get through it. For example, ‘And then the self-loathing washes over me again, and I almost wish I had the eating disorder everyone accuses me of having. A purge sounds cathartic.’ Yikes. On one hand, this is very true to this character to say something insensitive and out of touch like this, so its inclusion doesn’t necessarily feel peculiar. However, I found that she never had any sort of character growth and a lot of these comments went unchallenged and it just ultimately didn’t really make me feel good.
I think the three main characters were fine, although I sometimes got them mixed up with each other. I didn’t find the friendships that believable which was a shame.
I think a lot more could have been done to lead up to and explore the twist at the end.
Overall, an okay book but not one I would really recommend.
August 28, 2026
1.5 STARS
NATURAL SELECTION let me down. With the exception of one boy who was over-the-top politically correct about treating girls with so much “respect” it felt condescending, every male in the book was misogynistic, some to the point of drugging and raping girls. The police chief looks the other way, everybody enables the boys and men. In some cases women and girls excuse this behavior including rape.
Stories are much more interesting when villains have layers. No-redeeming-qualities bad guys bore me. The three Megans were interesting and unique, easily to discern. They had depth unlike the boys and men.
The ending was the most disappointing part of NATURAL SELECTION. It’s enough for me to strongly recommend against this book.
NATURAL SELECTION let me down. With the exception of one boy who was over-the-top politically correct about treating girls with so much “respect” it felt condescending, every male in the book was misogynistic, some to the point of drugging and raping girls. The police chief looks the other way, everybody enables the boys and men. In some cases women and girls excuse this behavior including rape.
Stories are much more interesting when villains have layers. No-redeeming-qualities bad guys bore me. The three Megans were interesting and unique, easily to discern. They had depth unlike the boys and men.
The ending was the most disappointing part of NATURAL SELECTION. It’s enough for me to strongly recommend against this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you’re like me and you got a lot out of the man vs bear debate, you will LOVE this book. Full of feminine rage at a town that celebrates men and boys as predators and women as prey, Natural Selection really flips the script on revenge and trauma. I really loved getting each girl’s perspective and seeing their bond grow and evolve. This book will, of course, make you so furious and it’s supposed to, but it’s also a story of strength resilience and taking back your power. Fully supporting women’s rights and women’s wrongs. I really was so into this book and that ending! WOW. Highly recommend this one, but definitely make sure you’re in the right headspace as it deals with sexual assault, harassment and the patriarchy being the patriarchy.
Thank you to Delacorte Press for the digital reader’s copy!
Thank you to Delacorte Press for the digital reader’s copy!
August 14, 2026
4.5 overall!
From the first chapter alone I knew I was going to love this book and lo and behold that’s exactly what happened. Honestly this book was everything to me; feminist vibes, badass women, and a bear eating trash men. The short chapters had me flying through it and I loved the Megans. I was laughing out loud throughout the story and it felt very high school, which took me back. Out of all the Megan’s, Bee was my favorite and I loved her witchy, awkward self. I loved the twist and the ending was perfect.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this one and recommend it to anyone who loves a good for her book and a fun, fast paced thriller. Also don’t forget to always choose the bear.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books, and Delacorte Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
From the first chapter alone I knew I was going to love this book and lo and behold that’s exactly what happened. Honestly this book was everything to me; feminist vibes, badass women, and a bear eating trash men. The short chapters had me flying through it and I loved the Megans. I was laughing out loud throughout the story and it felt very high school, which took me back. Out of all the Megan’s, Bee was my favorite and I loved her witchy, awkward self. I loved the twist and the ending was perfect.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this one and recommend it to anyone who loves a good for her book and a fun, fast paced thriller. Also don’t forget to always choose the bear.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books, and Delacorte Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 10, 2026
Love me some feminine rage and revenge, and this book delivered! Darkly funny, messy, and completely unhinged in the best way, I was absolutely here for it.
While the YA elements could feel a little juvenile at times, I really enjoyed the slasheresque atmosphere and small town mystery. It felt timely, relevant, and packed with plenty of secrets, tension, and revenge.
A story centred around the friendship of three different Megan/Meghan’s could have easily become confusing, but the audiobook’s ensemble cast did a fantastic job of giving each character their own distinct voice. Kristen DiMercurio, Mara Wilson, Phoebe Strole, and Clare Edge each brought something unique to the narration and made the different perspectives easy to follow.
And I especially love when an author narrates their own work. Clare Edge brought an added level of authenticity and understanding to the tone and characters that really elevated the listening experience.
While the YA elements could feel a little juvenile at times, I really enjoyed the slasheresque atmosphere and small town mystery. It felt timely, relevant, and packed with plenty of secrets, tension, and revenge.
A story centred around the friendship of three different Megan/Meghan’s could have easily become confusing, but the audiobook’s ensemble cast did a fantastic job of giving each character their own distinct voice. Kristen DiMercurio, Mara Wilson, Phoebe Strole, and Clare Edge each brought something unique to the narration and made the different perspectives easy to follow.
And I especially love when an author narrates their own work. Clare Edge brought an added level of authenticity and understanding to the tone and characters that really elevated the listening experience.
August 26, 2026
This is feminine rage, predator turned prey, revenge with a twist, and I was absolutely👏 here👏 for👏 it!!!👏
A small town, three Megans, and the "Golden Boy" who has gotten away with everything... until now! These girls are DONE with the way this town raises their boys. It's time for the natural order: Predator, meet prey.
I couldn't have loved this book more! It was such a compelling YA with thrills and mystery and excitement! I was racing through the pages, completely engrossed in the story. This was a truly enjoyable read from the first page to the last! I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
A small town, three Megans, and the "Golden Boy" who has gotten away with everything... until now! These girls are DONE with the way this town raises their boys. It's time for the natural order: Predator, meet prey.
I couldn't have loved this book more! It was such a compelling YA with thrills and mystery and excitement! I was racing through the pages, completely engrossed in the story. This was a truly enjoyable read from the first page to the last! I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
July 2, 2026
“I, Megan, vow to destroy Kevin Johnson.”
Thank you to Clare Edge and Bloomsbury for an advanced copy of this book.
When it comes to boys and bears, always choose the bear. The girls of Riverside are raised to grin and bear it. Until three of them can’t anymore. Megan Lawless (aka Outlaw): Riverside born and raised. Lettered in volleyball, basketball, and track. HATES Kevin Johnson, but tolerates him for her best friend, Megan. Megan Deloria: Outlaw’s ride or die. Riverside royalty and soon to be valedictorian. Shoo-in for the homecoming crown alongside her boyfriend, Kevin. Meghan Bach (aka Bee): Moved to Riverside last year. Still the “new girl.” Pulls tarot cards daily. Just wants to forget what happened last summer at that party with Kevin. And then there’s Kevin Johnson: Riverside’s Golden Boy. Only scared of two things—the dark and bears. Soon, he’ll be scared of three more. Because Megan, Megan, and Meghan are done with Kevin, and they’re about to teach everyone in their tiny rural town the new natural order: Predator, meet prey.
The three Megans are very distinct which I loved. And yet, you couldn’t help but feel they are one and the same. Outlaw is rough around the edges, Bee is softer and more emotional, and Megan is the cold exterior with a storm of emotions within. I loved that we got chapters from all of their perspectives, seeing things from different angles and with varying levels of guilt, fear, strength and power. Edge did such a fantastic job of making them individual yet incredibly complementary to each other.
I’m not going to lie, having my name be featured so prominently by three badass young women was amazing. I was part of the cover reveal for this book and was incredibly excited for its release. YA thrillers can always be hit or miss in my experience and this book was a hit! Feminine rage with Heathers influence, brought into the modern age with small town mystery? Oooo, this was good! From the very beginning I was engaged, wondering what was going to happen and then desperate to reveal the answers behind the ongoing mysteries. I loved that the reader is kept guessing, wondering how things were happening and if there was someone influencing them. Being a small town it means we do see a lot of the same people mentioned a lot. I enjoyed that the focus remained on the Megan trio, with secondary focus falling to other characters. I do wish we got to see a little more of some people - especially as they are supposedly awful people. We hear about what they’ve done through the Megans’ conversations but to see more of that in these people’s mannerisms and personalities would have just enhanced everything for me. The ending though… Oh my god. I was not expecting that in the slightest but what a way to end it! Female power all the way!
Overall, Natural Selection is a stunning thriller you do not want to miss!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Clare Edge and Bloomsbury for an advanced copy of this book. Thank you also to Rachel Quinn for the gorgeous proof!
Thank you to Clare Edge and Bloomsbury for an advanced copy of this book.
When it comes to boys and bears, always choose the bear. The girls of Riverside are raised to grin and bear it. Until three of them can’t anymore. Megan Lawless (aka Outlaw): Riverside born and raised. Lettered in volleyball, basketball, and track. HATES Kevin Johnson, but tolerates him for her best friend, Megan. Megan Deloria: Outlaw’s ride or die. Riverside royalty and soon to be valedictorian. Shoo-in for the homecoming crown alongside her boyfriend, Kevin. Meghan Bach (aka Bee): Moved to Riverside last year. Still the “new girl.” Pulls tarot cards daily. Just wants to forget what happened last summer at that party with Kevin. And then there’s Kevin Johnson: Riverside’s Golden Boy. Only scared of two things—the dark and bears. Soon, he’ll be scared of three more. Because Megan, Megan, and Meghan are done with Kevin, and they’re about to teach everyone in their tiny rural town the new natural order: Predator, meet prey.
The three Megans are very distinct which I loved. And yet, you couldn’t help but feel they are one and the same. Outlaw is rough around the edges, Bee is softer and more emotional, and Megan is the cold exterior with a storm of emotions within. I loved that we got chapters from all of their perspectives, seeing things from different angles and with varying levels of guilt, fear, strength and power. Edge did such a fantastic job of making them individual yet incredibly complementary to each other.
I’m not going to lie, having my name be featured so prominently by three badass young women was amazing. I was part of the cover reveal for this book and was incredibly excited for its release. YA thrillers can always be hit or miss in my experience and this book was a hit! Feminine rage with Heathers influence, brought into the modern age with small town mystery? Oooo, this was good! From the very beginning I was engaged, wondering what was going to happen and then desperate to reveal the answers behind the ongoing mysteries. I loved that the reader is kept guessing, wondering how things were happening and if there was someone influencing them. Being a small town it means we do see a lot of the same people mentioned a lot. I enjoyed that the focus remained on the Megan trio, with secondary focus falling to other characters. I do wish we got to see a little more of some people - especially as they are supposedly awful people. We hear about what they’ve done through the Megans’ conversations but to see more of that in these people’s mannerisms and personalities would have just enhanced everything for me. The ending though… Oh my god. I was not expecting that in the slightest but what a way to end it! Female power all the way!
Overall, Natural Selection is a stunning thriller you do not want to miss!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Clare Edge and Bloomsbury for an advanced copy of this book. Thank you also to Rachel Quinn for the gorgeous proof!
August 2, 2026
In the small mountain town of Riverside, ‘boys will be boys’ and generational misogyny will always protect them.
When three teen survivors decide to take matters into their own hands, they never imagine that their simple revenge prank will lead to a grizzly bear dispensing its own brutal justice on the town’s abusers.
As the bear systematically hunts men down, festering secrets are uncovered and the patriarchy is brought to its knees in a thrilling triumph of feminine power.
Natural Selection kept me up into the small hours, with my blood absolutely boiling. The patriarchy relies on our apathy, and this book carries the spark to incinerate it.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for gifting me an early copy of this five-star read. It’s out in Australia on September 1st, 2026 and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
When three teen survivors decide to take matters into their own hands, they never imagine that their simple revenge prank will lead to a grizzly bear dispensing its own brutal justice on the town’s abusers.
As the bear systematically hunts men down, festering secrets are uncovered and the patriarchy is brought to its knees in a thrilling triumph of feminine power.
Natural Selection kept me up into the small hours, with my blood absolutely boiling. The patriarchy relies on our apathy, and this book carries the spark to incinerate it.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for gifting me an early copy of this five-star read. It’s out in Australia on September 1st, 2026 and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
DNF @ around 35%, wanted to DNF long before that but stuck it out, then skimmed to the end to see if it would get better, and it did not. 2 stars because I can appreciate the cause the book is trying to champion (the cause that made me want to read the book), even if it doesn't succeed.
I do not like DNFing books, and I do not like leaving negative reviews, but I did not at all find this book to be the dark humor feminist literature it claims to be. It also reads very clearly to me like a book that was rushed out to keep on trend with "choose the bear." Some specific criticisms:
-One of the three MC girls (Megan Deloria) displays gross internalized misogyny, mostly aimed at her best friend (Outlaw) in the beginning, which the author tries and fails to I guess make a teaching moment for the reader on why this behavior is wrong, by giving Megan heavy-handed "self-aware" internal monologue about it while in the next moment she just keeps on displaying the internalized misogyny.
-It seems like every single man/boy in the story, even those mentioned only in passing, is a skeezy douchebag dialed up to 11, except Outlaw's brother who Megan has a crush on. Not to sound like a "not all men" loser, but it doesn't help highlight actual real world issues that women face or lend credibility to your cause when you just make every man in your story an evil, unbelievable caricature.
-The writing is very tell-y with unrealistic (especially for teenagers) dialogue that was truly insufferable to read, including of course Megan's cringey self-talk about "what's wrong with me to be so misogynist oh well lol time to continue doing it."
-Dark humor where? We need to stop throwing that marketing term around when actual dark humor is not present in a story whatsoever.
I've read some other reviews with similar criticisms to mine that also indicate these issues do not improve throughout the book. A real bummer for a book that has such an interesting and socially important premise to fumble it so hard in such disappointing ways.
DNF @ around 35%, wanted to DNF long before that but stuck it out, then skimmed to the end to see if it would get better, and it did not. 2 stars because I can appreciate the cause the book is trying to champion (the cause that made me want to read the book), even if it doesn't succeed.
I do not like DNFing books, and I do not like leaving negative reviews, but I did not at all find this book to be the dark humor feminist literature it claims to be. It also reads very clearly to me like a book that was rushed out to keep on trend with "choose the bear." Some specific criticisms:
-One of the three MC girls (Megan Deloria) displays gross internalized misogyny, mostly aimed at her best friend (Outlaw) in the beginning, which the author tries and fails to I guess make a teaching moment for the reader on why this behavior is wrong, by giving Megan heavy-handed "self-aware" internal monologue about it while in the next moment she just keeps on displaying the internalized misogyny.
-It seems like every single man/boy in the story, even those mentioned only in passing, is a skeezy douchebag dialed up to 11, except Outlaw's brother who Megan has a crush on. Not to sound like a "not all men" loser, but it doesn't help highlight actual real world issues that women face or lend credibility to your cause when you just make every man in your story an evil, unbelievable caricature.
-The writing is very tell-y with unrealistic (especially for teenagers) dialogue that was truly insufferable to read, including of course Megan's cringey self-talk about "what's wrong with me to be so misogynist oh well lol time to continue doing it."
-Dark humor where? We need to stop throwing that marketing term around when actual dark humor is not present in a story whatsoever.
I've read some other reviews with similar criticisms to mine that also indicate these issues do not improve throughout the book. A real bummer for a book that has such an interesting and socially important premise to fumble it so hard in such disappointing ways.
August 25, 2026
DNF @50%
wow that was disapointing, i just was hoping for something better.
Didnt like the writing, the way that characters talked was so fake and superficial, nobody looks real.
Is not even funny, i dont get it the dark humor, where?
I really tried but it really looked like a first draft, sorr y for the author, maybe next novel.
wow that was disapointing, i just was hoping for something better.
Didnt like the writing, the way that characters talked was so fake and superficial, nobody looks real.
Is not even funny, i dont get it the dark humor, where?
I really tried but it really looked like a first draft, sorr y for the author, maybe next novel.
Read
June 15, 2025feralness belongs to the girls!!
August 3, 2026
Discovering a novel inspired by the whole “man or bear?” debate felt instantly iconic and I was excited to dive in. I did find the initial 10% a little slower but it very quickly picked up and then I couldn’t put it down.
I went in expecting something darker and more unhinged than what I got, but appreciate the direction Edge chose instead. The story follows Megan, Bee and Outlaw, three girls growing up in a rural, deeply conservative American town where the real danger has never been the bears in the woods. After Megan’s predator boyfriend is dragged away by a bear while the girls stand by and do nothing, the novel becomes far less about revenge and more about guilt, complicity and the aftermath of serious violence.
That was the biggest surprise for me which I thought I wouldn’t like but ended up really enjoying. Rather than turning the girls into fearless vigilantes, Edge lets them unravel under the weight of what happened. It makes the story feel far more believable, while also highlighting that even when the girls are surrounded by adults who excuse the problem, or are the problem, they still care about the consequences of their actions.
As a Brit I flinched every time a rifle was “thrown” over a shoulder (shudders).
I loved how the novel explores the systems that allow the predatory men to thrive. It’s an infuriating read in the best way, examining not only the perpetrators but also the people who choose to look the other away.
My only criticism is that the plot occasionally feels cyclical... It often feels like a repetition of school, bonfires, parties and another body in the woods without a strong sense of going anywhere. It’s a very character-driven novel, which works, but I sometimes wished the plot had a little more urgency.
That said, the ending absolutely won me over. It embraces the righteous anger simmering beneath the entire novel and delivers a conclusion that felt cathartic without abandoning the emotional complexity that came before it.
It wasn’t quite the wild, feral revenge story I expected, but what Clare Edge wrote instead was ultimately more thoughtful, and honestly probably more unsettling because of it.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the ARC of Natural Selection, I’ll be adding Edge to my list of authors to follow.
I went in expecting something darker and more unhinged than what I got, but appreciate the direction Edge chose instead. The story follows Megan, Bee and Outlaw, three girls growing up in a rural, deeply conservative American town where the real danger has never been the bears in the woods. After Megan’s predator boyfriend is dragged away by a bear while the girls stand by and do nothing, the novel becomes far less about revenge and more about guilt, complicity and the aftermath of serious violence.
That was the biggest surprise for me which I thought I wouldn’t like but ended up really enjoying. Rather than turning the girls into fearless vigilantes, Edge lets them unravel under the weight of what happened. It makes the story feel far more believable, while also highlighting that even when the girls are surrounded by adults who excuse the problem, or are the problem, they still care about the consequences of their actions.
As a Brit I flinched every time a rifle was “thrown” over a shoulder (shudders).
I loved how the novel explores the systems that allow the predatory men to thrive. It’s an infuriating read in the best way, examining not only the perpetrators but also the people who choose to look the other away.
My only criticism is that the plot occasionally feels cyclical... It often feels like a repetition of school, bonfires, parties and another body in the woods without a strong sense of going anywhere. It’s a very character-driven novel, which works, but I sometimes wished the plot had a little more urgency.
That said, the ending absolutely won me over. It embraces the righteous anger simmering beneath the entire novel and delivers a conclusion that felt cathartic without abandoning the emotional complexity that came before it.
It wasn’t quite the wild, feral revenge story I expected, but what Clare Edge wrote instead was ultimately more thoughtful, and honestly probably more unsettling because of it.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the ARC of Natural Selection, I’ll be adding Edge to my list of authors to follow.
October 22, 2026
The end felt abrupt, and I wish there'd been more of a transition between parts 2 and 3. I was like, "Did I skip a chapter? Or five?" But no, it's just a weird jump to drive home the surreal memory loss element... I get it, but I would still rather have had more lead-in than we got.
I appreciated that this book avoided many of the main pitfalls or r*pe revenge narratives: the girls are layered, imperfect, and sometimes downright cruel to one another; and, while many of the men and boys in this story are awful, Edge makes it clear that the systems that uphold toxic masculinity and r*pe culture are the issue. As always when I say this, I feel the need to clarify that this is not me (or, IMO, the author) doing the #NotAllMen thing... but in stories like this, when women and girls are depicted as little more than naïve victims, and boys and men are depicted as inherently predatory, I get the ick that comes with gender essentialism and TERFy grossness. Megan in particular, as the character with the most social privilege and proximity to power, is shown to have bought into some of the narratives that women (especially white women) use to justify toxic masculinity in order to keep their own social privilege intact, even as they're suffering abuse. This isn't to say that anyone deserves to endure these things, but there are absolutely women out there who happily throw other women under the bus in order to protect men. I appreciated that Edge got down in the much here and showed how deep-seated this kind of brainwashing can be.
As far as the bear thing? Yes, there were a few places where I would have liked more clarity, and the last 10% of the book brought my overall rating down a bit because I wished there'd been more worldbuilding. But overall, I found this to be a surprisingly fun and empowering story that managed to grapple with some pretty upsetting topics in a nuanced way. Please be aware that there are numerous discussions and depictions of abuse, r*pe, and assault that will almost certainly be upsetting, though the worst abuses happen off-page and are handled with care.
There's a reason we'd choose the bear, y'all. This was my first Clare Edge novel, but definitely not my last.
I appreciated that this book avoided many of the main pitfalls or r*pe revenge narratives: the girls are layered, imperfect, and sometimes downright cruel to one another; and, while many of the men and boys in this story are awful, Edge makes it clear that the systems that uphold toxic masculinity and r*pe culture are the issue. As always when I say this, I feel the need to clarify that this is not me (or, IMO, the author) doing the #NotAllMen thing... but in stories like this, when women and girls are depicted as little more than naïve victims, and boys and men are depicted as inherently predatory, I get the ick that comes with gender essentialism and TERFy grossness. Megan in particular, as the character with the most social privilege and proximity to power, is shown to have bought into some of the narratives that women (especially white women) use to justify toxic masculinity in order to keep their own social privilege intact, even as they're suffering abuse. This isn't to say that anyone deserves to endure these things, but there are absolutely women out there who happily throw other women under the bus in order to protect men. I appreciated that Edge got down in the much here and showed how deep-seated this kind of brainwashing can be.
As far as the bear thing? Yes, there were a few places where I would have liked more clarity, and the last 10% of the book brought my overall rating down a bit because I wished there'd been more worldbuilding. But overall, I found this to be a surprisingly fun and empowering story that managed to grapple with some pretty upsetting topics in a nuanced way. Please be aware that there are numerous discussions and depictions of abuse, r*pe, and assault that will almost certainly be upsetting, though the worst abuses happen off-page and are handled with care.
There's a reason we'd choose the bear, y'all. This was my first Clare Edge novel, but definitely not my last.
Read
September 16, 2026I was excited to read Natural Selection and it didn’t disappoint. It’s The Craft meets John Tucker Must Die with man-eating Bears. Imagine Scream but instead of Ghostface stalking teen house parties it’s bears stalking teen bonfire parties in the Forest.
Content warnings for sexual assault and rape, general misogyny, blood, gore and idiots running around with guns!
I really liked how the author captures the Man vs Bear moment and uses it as a catalyst for some pretty bloody revenge. Rather than the reality of male judges giving lenient sentences because “it will affect their future prospects.”
Most of the male characters were there to die. And I was okay with that. They were petty repugnant. Apart from one.
The strength of this book though was in the female relationships.
Besties Megan and Lawless have their friendship put to the test with the arrival of Bee into their trio. Not only has Bee got some nasty news about Megan’s boyfriend Kevin, Bee and Lawless keep making eyes at each other leaving Megan feeling like the odd one out.
There’s also the years missing girl Callie ever present. Bee has moved into her house and finds some hidden belongings that seem to be sending messages. What did happen to her?
Kevin - as well as being an A-grade A-hole is afraid of the dark so the girls decide some recorded humiliation is on the tarot cards. Except their prank is crashed by a Grizzly. And the killings were that. I did shudder a few times and my jaw did gape at this first kill.
The one thing that bought me out of the story somewhat was the sudden shift in setting and tone right at the end in the final section. I did find myself feeling like some sort of transition was needed but once I accepted the skip in time I was satisfied with the conclusion.
I did pick up some of the dirt crumbs that were dropped and guessed what may be happening. I’m kind of glad that we didn’t get an over explanation of the whys and wherefores.
I’d happily read more about this trio and how they’d always choose the bear.
I did receive an e-copy via Netgalley but my review is entirely my own opinion.
Content warnings for sexual assault and rape, general misogyny, blood, gore and idiots running around with guns!
I really liked how the author captures the Man vs Bear moment and uses it as a catalyst for some pretty bloody revenge. Rather than the reality of male judges giving lenient sentences because “it will affect their future prospects.”
Most of the male characters were there to die. And I was okay with that. They were petty repugnant. Apart from one.
The strength of this book though was in the female relationships.
Besties Megan and Lawless have their friendship put to the test with the arrival of Bee into their trio. Not only has Bee got some nasty news about Megan’s boyfriend Kevin, Bee and Lawless keep making eyes at each other leaving Megan feeling like the odd one out.
There’s also the years missing girl Callie ever present. Bee has moved into her house and finds some hidden belongings that seem to be sending messages. What did happen to her?
Kevin - as well as being an A-grade A-hole is afraid of the dark so the girls decide some recorded humiliation is on the tarot cards. Except their prank is crashed by a Grizzly. And the killings were that. I did shudder a few times and my jaw did gape at this first kill.
The one thing that bought me out of the story somewhat was the sudden shift in setting and tone right at the end in the final section. I did find myself feeling like some sort of transition was needed but once I accepted the skip in time I was satisfied with the conclusion.
I did pick up some of the dirt crumbs that were dropped and guessed what may be happening. I’m kind of glad that we didn’t get an over explanation of the whys and wherefores.
I’d happily read more about this trio and how they’d always choose the bear.
I did receive an e-copy via Netgalley but my review is entirely my own opinion.
August 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I support women’s wrongs!!
Wow this was a good one!
I was hooked from page one! Honestly I was hooked from the dedication! That hit me.
The author’s writing style is super engaging! And very well done. I could picture everything that was happening and the dialogue was very realistic.
This was a very dark and intense book! I would definitely look up the trigger warnings.
It did remind me of “John Tucker Must Die’ but times 100. It was also a very unique take. The whole debate of man vs bear has been talked about online, but never have I seen a book about it. It was very well done.
I think this book would be a great movie someday!
I was eating this book up, pun somewhat intended, but kind of close to the end I had a hard time picking it back up. Not that it was bad, I think it just got less exciting. Especially because I knew where it was going. Not that it totally ruined the book for me, it just kind of dropped off.
I loved Outlaw and Bee. Separately and together.
I could stand Megan (Kevin’s girlfriend). Women like that drive me nuts. I know there are girls like that out there, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. I had a really hard time being in her POV and any time she went against the other two, I got so annoyed.
Bee’s mom was awesome! She never took any crap and I loved it.
Cally reminded me of Rachel Amber from “Life Is Strange.” The author also mentioned the Seahawks which I loved. This book just seemed very catered to me.
This book made me very angry, but that was the point too! Men can be so disgusting, and it is sad but true that most women have dealt with some sort of inappropriate act from a man before. It was great to see women take back a little of that power and take action against the men.
This is a must read! Especially if you are a feminist like me.
Always choose the bear!
I support women’s wrongs!!
Wow this was a good one!
I was hooked from page one! Honestly I was hooked from the dedication! That hit me.
The author’s writing style is super engaging! And very well done. I could picture everything that was happening and the dialogue was very realistic.
This was a very dark and intense book! I would definitely look up the trigger warnings.
It did remind me of “John Tucker Must Die’ but times 100. It was also a very unique take. The whole debate of man vs bear has been talked about online, but never have I seen a book about it. It was very well done.
I think this book would be a great movie someday!
I was eating this book up, pun somewhat intended, but kind of close to the end I had a hard time picking it back up. Not that it was bad, I think it just got less exciting. Especially because I knew where it was going. Not that it totally ruined the book for me, it just kind of dropped off.
I loved Outlaw and Bee. Separately and together.
I could stand Megan (Kevin’s girlfriend). Women like that drive me nuts. I know there are girls like that out there, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. I had a really hard time being in her POV and any time she went against the other two, I got so annoyed.
Bee’s mom was awesome! She never took any crap and I loved it.
Cally reminded me of Rachel Amber from “Life Is Strange.” The author also mentioned the Seahawks which I loved. This book just seemed very catered to me.
This book made me very angry, but that was the point too! Men can be so disgusting, and it is sad but true that most women have dealt with some sort of inappropriate act from a man before. It was great to see women take back a little of that power and take action against the men.
This is a must read! Especially if you are a feminist like me.
Always choose the bear!
October 18, 2026
Natural Selection 🌲🩸✨ Review ✨ thank you so much partner @prhaudio @delacortepress #prhaudiopartner for the free audiobook!
Natural Selection
by Clare Edge
Read By Kristen DiMercurio, Mara Wilson, Phoebe Strole, Clare Edge
out now!
Three girls bond in unsettling ways when a grizzly starts picking off known abusers in their secluded mountain town in this dark and twisty novel.
When it comes to boys and bears, always choose the bear.
My thoughts 💭:
“…I feel an animal hunger rise in me that has nothing to do with the memory of being a bear and everything to do with the fierceness of being a girl.”
I DEVOURED this.This was 100% an audiobook experience for me, and I loved it! The narrators had me glued to my headphones, and I’m pretty sure I walked the furthest I have in a while because I didn’t want to stop listening. It was dark and unsettling. This story had me hooked while also making me sit with some really uncomfortable feelings. I hate how much of this story resonates with me, and I know I’m not the only woman who will feel that way. There’s something heartbreaking about how familiar certain parts of this story feel, and how many girls will recognize pieces of their own experiences in it. This is the kind of book that entertains you while making you angry about the reality behind the fiction. It’s a story about girls who are tired of being told to smile and bear it, and what happens when they finally decide they’ve had enough. If you love stories with a powerful underlying message, complicated girlhood, and an audiobook that makes you want to keep walking just to hear what happens next, add this one to your TBR!
Happy reading 📖 🩸🌲🐻
Natural Selection
by Clare Edge
Read By Kristen DiMercurio, Mara Wilson, Phoebe Strole, Clare Edge
out now!
Three girls bond in unsettling ways when a grizzly starts picking off known abusers in their secluded mountain town in this dark and twisty novel.
When it comes to boys and bears, always choose the bear.
My thoughts 💭:
“…I feel an animal hunger rise in me that has nothing to do with the memory of being a bear and everything to do with the fierceness of being a girl.”
I DEVOURED this.This was 100% an audiobook experience for me, and I loved it! The narrators had me glued to my headphones, and I’m pretty sure I walked the furthest I have in a while because I didn’t want to stop listening. It was dark and unsettling. This story had me hooked while also making me sit with some really uncomfortable feelings. I hate how much of this story resonates with me, and I know I’m not the only woman who will feel that way. There’s something heartbreaking about how familiar certain parts of this story feel, and how many girls will recognize pieces of their own experiences in it. This is the kind of book that entertains you while making you angry about the reality behind the fiction. It’s a story about girls who are tired of being told to smile and bear it, and what happens when they finally decide they’ve had enough. If you love stories with a powerful underlying message, complicated girlhood, and an audiobook that makes you want to keep walking just to hear what happens next, add this one to your TBR!
Happy reading 📖 🩸🌲🐻
October 14, 2026
"I usually find the darkness of a cloudy night in the forest comforting. Sure, there are things out that can hurt me, but not nearly as many as the ones hiding inside the houses in this town. The men this town raises, have always scared me more than the animals that wait in the woods."
I can appreciate what this book was trying to do, but I can't say I really enjoyed the read.
The town of Riverside, Montana has three Megans-- one who goes by Megan, one who goes by Lawless, and one who goes by Bee. Megan and Lawless are best friends, and Bee is newer to town. She and her mom moved there a year ago, and they moved into the house of a girl who went missing six years ago. A girl who was never found. These girls have more in common than just their name -- they have also all been hurt by Kevin Johnson who is the town darling and local football star. When they team up to teach him a lesson, they get more than they bargained for.
This book is trying to be Nightbitch for a younger, angstier generation. And while I love feminine rage and revenge stories, this just felt too outlandish and stereotypical teen for me to be relatable at all. Like I said, I appreciate the sentiment, but couldn't vibe with the execution. It felt very 90s cheesy horror.
I can appreciate what this book was trying to do, but I can't say I really enjoyed the read.
The town of Riverside, Montana has three Megans-- one who goes by Megan, one who goes by Lawless, and one who goes by Bee. Megan and Lawless are best friends, and Bee is newer to town. She and her mom moved there a year ago, and they moved into the house of a girl who went missing six years ago. A girl who was never found. These girls have more in common than just their name -- they have also all been hurt by Kevin Johnson who is the town darling and local football star. When they team up to teach him a lesson, they get more than they bargained for.
This book is trying to be Nightbitch for a younger, angstier generation. And while I love feminine rage and revenge stories, this just felt too outlandish and stereotypical teen for me to be relatable at all. Like I said, I appreciate the sentiment, but couldn't vibe with the execution. It felt very 90s cheesy horror.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was so freaking GOOD!
This one doesn’t come out until end of summer, but I can’t wait to talk about it. If you love girl power ya thrillers, check this out! If you love revenge thrillers, check this out! If you love women joining up to take down corrupt men, check this out!
In the very “boys will be boys” town of Riverside, three girls decide they have had enough. Megan, Megan aka Outlaw, and Meghan aka Bee come together to take down the town’s golden boy. With a town full of men who abuse power and women who are supposed to just quietly let it happen, they concoct a plan… that goes way off track.
Within this mess they are in, Outlaw, Bee, and Megan learn a lot about each other and themselves. How far they are willing to go… I loved everything about this book, even when I wanted to reach through the book and shake the characters! I felt a full range of emotion through reading this, because it’s about revenge and injustice, but also friendship and new love.
I highly recommend!
This one doesn’t come out until end of summer, but I can’t wait to talk about it. If you love girl power ya thrillers, check this out! If you love revenge thrillers, check this out! If you love women joining up to take down corrupt men, check this out!
In the very “boys will be boys” town of Riverside, three girls decide they have had enough. Megan, Megan aka Outlaw, and Meghan aka Bee come together to take down the town’s golden boy. With a town full of men who abuse power and women who are supposed to just quietly let it happen, they concoct a plan… that goes way off track.
Within this mess they are in, Outlaw, Bee, and Megan learn a lot about each other and themselves. How far they are willing to go… I loved everything about this book, even when I wanted to reach through the book and shake the characters! I felt a full range of emotion through reading this, because it’s about revenge and injustice, but also friendship and new love.
I highly recommend!
August 19, 2026
A timely story about the dangers of unconscious prejudice and the power of young women when they decide to fight back.
In the small town of Riverside nobody questions the power the boys - particularly those involved in sports - have. Top of the chain is Kevin Jackson, a young man used to getting his own way. Early on we learn that Kevin has raped at least one young woman, abused a number of girls and that his girlfriend has got fed up,of excusing his behaviour. Megan and her two friends - both victims of Kevin’s behaviour - decide to get their own back and make him pay for what he has done.
However, something strange starts to take place in a riverside.
There’s talk of a bear hunting young men. Young men who’ve all got a reputation for thinking they are beyond reproach. Young men who are winding up dead.
Those in power try to do all they can to maintain their status quo. The girls who are pivotal to these events pledge to ensure they will not succeed.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
In the small town of Riverside nobody questions the power the boys - particularly those involved in sports - have. Top of the chain is Kevin Jackson, a young man used to getting his own way. Early on we learn that Kevin has raped at least one young woman, abused a number of girls and that his girlfriend has got fed up,of excusing his behaviour. Megan and her two friends - both victims of Kevin’s behaviour - decide to get their own back and make him pay for what he has done.
However, something strange starts to take place in a riverside.
There’s talk of a bear hunting young men. Young men who’ve all got a reputation for thinking they are beyond reproach. Young men who are winding up dead.
Those in power try to do all they can to maintain their status quo. The girls who are pivotal to these events pledge to ensure they will not succeed.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
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