What do you think?
Rate this book
The Pools
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the We Were Liars series comes a love story full of simmering darkness and astonishing twists, following two teenagers whose lives are shattered by a shocking transformation.
This gorgeous hardcover edition of The Pools will feature unique printed endpapers, deckled edges (rough, uneven page edges), and an exclusive stamped case!
Once, in a small New England town known for its hot springs, something terrible happened. Something that should have been a warning to stay away from the pools, if the stories were to be believed.
But no one is afraid of the water anymore, even if they should be.
When new girl Lexie meets golden boy Chester, their chemistry is undeniable. She’s running from a glittering life she won’t speak about. He’s hiding secrets of his own. Their connection feels bigger than both of them, despite their damage.
One frigid winter morning in that small New England town, five people go for a swim in the pools. Five people, including Chester. What happens there sends shock waves through the town—and changes life as Lexie knows it forever.
This gorgeous hardcover edition of The Pools will feature unique printed endpapers, deckled edges (rough, uneven page edges), and an exclusive stamped case!
Once, in a small New England town known for its hot springs, something terrible happened. Something that should have been a warning to stay away from the pools, if the stories were to be believed.
But no one is afraid of the water anymore, even if they should be.
When new girl Lexie meets golden boy Chester, their chemistry is undeniable. She’s running from a glittering life she won’t speak about. He’s hiding secrets of his own. Their connection feels bigger than both of them, despite their damage.
One frigid winter morning in that small New England town, five people go for a swim in the pools. Five people, including Chester. What happens there sends shock waves through the town—and changes life as Lexie knows it forever.
384 pages, Library Binding
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
E. Lockhart
33 books17.3k followersE. Lockhart is the author of Again Again, Genuine Fraud, We Were Liars and Family of Liars, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and several other books. Whistle: A New Gotham CIty Hero is a graphic novel. We Were Liars is also a TV show on Prime Video, June 2025. We Fell Apart, book 3 in the We Were Liars universe, publishes November 2025.
website: www.emilylockhart.com
Instagram, Threads & TikTok: elockhartbooks
website: www.emilylockhart.com
Instagram, Threads & TikTok: elockhartbooks
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thanks to negalley + the publisher for an advanced copy
in which i read this not by a pool
i think reading this book
by a pool might enhance the reading
experience, because reading this book
inside of a cold house
felt like i was reading
at the top of mt everest
although i wonder with the characters
if e lockhart
was doing a metaphor for suicide
and self harm, with the birds
because when people you love
diefly away
you wonder what you could do
to get them back, for there's no swan
and there's no cure
not even if olivia rodrigo wrote a song about it
there's my cutesy review. i enjoyed it! if you've read the book, you'll hopefully get my review
in which i read this not by a pool
i think reading this book
by a pool might enhance the reading
experience, because reading this book
inside of a cold house
felt like i was reading
at the top of mt everest
although i wonder with the characters
if e lockhart
was doing a metaphor for suicide
and self harm, with the birds
because when people you love
die
you wonder what you could do
to get them back, for there's no swan
and there's no cure
not even if olivia rodrigo wrote a song about it
there's my cutesy review. i enjoyed it! if you've read the book, you'll hopefully get my review
May 13, 2026
The Pools is a haunting and unique read that stayed with me long after I finished it. I especially enjoyed how quickly the story moved while still feeling thoughtful and layered. The use of old folklore and myth-inspired storytelling gave the book an eerie atmosphere that made it stand out from a typical teen novel.
One of the most interesting parts of the book was the way it was written in poem and song form. The lyrical style made the emotions feel more intense and personal, almost like reading someone’s private thoughts or listening to a ballad being told around a fire. While the format is unconventional, it worked well with the mood of the story and made it easy to read in a short amount of time.
The novel also tackles serious topics like depression, loneliness, and complicated teen relationships in a realistic way. The characters felt emotionally raw, and their struggles added depth beneath the folklore-inspired surface. Even when the story became dark or unsettling, it remained engaging because of the emotional honesty woven throughout it.
Overall, The Pools is a beautifully written, atmospheric novel that blends folklore, poetry, and emotional realism into a memorable quick read. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy books that are a little different in style and that explore deeper emotional themes.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Children’s Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for a honest review.
One of the most interesting parts of the book was the way it was written in poem and song form. The lyrical style made the emotions feel more intense and personal, almost like reading someone’s private thoughts or listening to a ballad being told around a fire. While the format is unconventional, it worked well with the mood of the story and made it easy to read in a short amount of time.
The novel also tackles serious topics like depression, loneliness, and complicated teen relationships in a realistic way. The characters felt emotionally raw, and their struggles added depth beneath the folklore-inspired surface. Even when the story became dark or unsettling, it remained engaging because of the emotional honesty woven throughout it.
Overall, The Pools is a beautifully written, atmospheric novel that blends folklore, poetry, and emotional realism into a memorable quick read. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy books that are a little different in style and that explore deeper emotional themes.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Children’s Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for a honest review.
April 17, 2026
I’ve read other books from this Author and LOVE all of them!
The way the author ignites you into this book with thrill and curiosity is amazing! It starts off with a cute love story and then has a twist you don’t see coming! I cannot share the secrets in or about the pool, but I suggest you read it to see for yourself!
I would highly recommend this book & Author, & cannot wait to read more by this author! 5+⭐️’s!
Thank you E. Lockhart, Delacorte Press, & NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing Arc!
April 28, 2026
read if you like:
📖 poetry
🦄 fantasy stories
👩❤️👨 abstract love stories
summary:
I have loved E. Lockhart’s other books including the WE WERE LIARS series, but this one was a little too abstract for me. It is a strange, sharp, almost poetically written love story between Lexie and Chester, who meet when Lexie moves to town and the two immediately realize the chemistry between them. The town, known for its hot springs, has a history of lore, but no one is afraid of the pools anymore, and instead they serve as the centerpiece to the small, remote town. That is, until a cold winter day, when five people go for a swim, and five birds emerge from the pools.
The bird element feels….random. It feels like it must be symbolic for something, but I was struggling to make any connection that made it feel less weird. I wanted to really believe in their love story, but the abstract nature of the symbolism made it really hard for me to get hooked. The style itself is unique — almost a staccato poetry, which I thought I would struggle with, but actually got easy to follow along with as you went. It helps add more description and shift away from dialogue, so if you’re someone who likes a dialogue-heavy book, this might not be for you. I also didn’t feel like it gave us enough character development, and since we didn’t get enough first hand insight into Lexie or Chester, it made me feel a little more detached from their story.
I really wanted to like this one, but it was just a little too out there for me.
📖 poetry
🦄 fantasy stories
👩❤️👨 abstract love stories
summary:
I have loved E. Lockhart’s other books including the WE WERE LIARS series, but this one was a little too abstract for me. It is a strange, sharp, almost poetically written love story between Lexie and Chester, who meet when Lexie moves to town and the two immediately realize the chemistry between them. The town, known for its hot springs, has a history of lore, but no one is afraid of the pools anymore, and instead they serve as the centerpiece to the small, remote town. That is, until a cold winter day, when five people go for a swim, and five birds emerge from the pools.
The bird element feels….random. It feels like it must be symbolic for something, but I was struggling to make any connection that made it feel less weird. I wanted to really believe in their love story, but the abstract nature of the symbolism made it really hard for me to get hooked. The style itself is unique — almost a staccato poetry, which I thought I would struggle with, but actually got easy to follow along with as you went. It helps add more description and shift away from dialogue, so if you’re someone who likes a dialogue-heavy book, this might not be for you. I also didn’t feel like it gave us enough character development, and since we didn’t get enough first hand insight into Lexie or Chester, it made me feel a little more detached from their story.
I really wanted to like this one, but it was just a little too out there for me.
May 29, 2026
3.5 not what I expected at all but I didn’t hate it… probably bc it is written in verse so it went very fast
May 21, 2026
I did not enjoy the poem like writing of this book. It was challenging to find a rhythm in reading and the book felt disconnected to me because of this. That being said, if you love poetry or rhythmic writing styles, you may enjoy this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I think this is one of those books that will definitely divide readers, especially those who aren’t usually into fantasy or magical realism elements. Honestly, when the huge twist involving the five people who chose the absolute worst possible time to swim in the springs finally happened, my first reaction was literally: what the heck did I just read? I went into this almost completely blind because I genuinely enjoyed the author’s previous works. She has always been great at creating authentic YA voices, and as someone who never joined the anti-We Were Liars crowd, I trusted her storytelling enough to dive in without knowing much.
So when the supernatural elements suddenly entered the story, I was caught completely off guard. And yes, I’m trying my hardest not to spoil anything because I refuse to be the person who ruins the experience by spilling all the beans! At first, I truly thought the story was about to spiral into complete chaos in a way that wouldn’t work for me. But instead of giving up, I kept reading with patience and curiosity, and honestly, I’m so glad I did. Even when the story became messier, stranger, and much more fairy-tale-like than I expected, I found myself completely absorbed by its eerie, dreamlike atmosphere. The folkloric influence, especially the haunting “Seven Ravens” fairy tale vibes, worked surprisingly well for me, and the ending ultimately won me over emotionally.
In my opinion, this isn’t simply a whimsical YA romance wrapped in fantasy aesthetics the way some readers may initially assume. Beneath the magical elements, this is very much a story about depression, grief, guilt, fear, and emotional survival. Two of the main characters struggle deeply with depression, but they react to it in completely different ways: one fights while the other runs. Their choices, coping mechanisms, and emotional responses ultimately shape the paths they take by the end of the story. The novel also explores themes of finding your voice, learning to stop silencing yourself for the comfort of others, and realizing that procrastinating your life can become its own form of self-destruction. At its heart, it’s about family, freedom, belonging, and the desperate human need to feel like part of something bigger than yourself.
The story takes place in a small New England town famous for its healing hot springs. Seventeen-year-old Lexie arrives there with her depressed mother, younger sister Orly, and aunt in hopes of starting over. After years spent sacrificing her own childhood as a musical prodigy to financially support her struggling family, Lexie is emotionally exhausted. Losing her father and becoming the emotional caretaker of her mother at such a young age has left her carrying far more than any teenager should. The move feels like her chance to finally breathe again and maybe reclaim pieces of herself she lost along the way.
Then she meets Chester, the town’s mysterious golden boy whose body is covered in scars and whose charm hides much darker emotional wounds beneath the surface. Their connection develops quickly, but both of them are carrying secrets they don’t know how to share. After an argument between them, Chester makes a reckless decision and swims in the springs during the coldest day of the year alongside four others, including Lexie’s little sister. And from that moment on, the story transforms into something much darker, stranger, and emotionally devastating.
As tragedy strikes the town, Lexie desperately fights to protect the people she loves while trying to undo what has happened. But once she becomes trapped inside what feels like a living nightmare wrapped in fairy tale rules, she must confront a terrifying question: how much is someone willing to sacrifice to reverse tragedy and save the people they love?
Overall, Lexie was absolutely the standout character for me. I loved her resilience, emotional exhaustion, bravery, and heartbreaking patience as she tried to hold herself and her family together while everything around her unraveled. Her struggles felt painfully real even within the fantastical setting. I do wish Chester’s depression and emotional backstory had been explored with a little more depth because his character undergoes significant emotional shifts, and at times I wanted a stronger connection to his internal struggles rather than primarily viewing him through Lexie’s perspective. Still, the lyrical writing style, emotional intensity, and unique atmosphere kept me fully invested. The author clearly took a creative risk stylistically here, and for me, it mostly paid off. The blend of dark fairy tale energy, emotional realism, and YA fantasy romance created something memorable and genuinely unique within the genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books | Delacorte Press for sharing one of the most unusual, emotional, and thought-provoking YA fantasy romances of the year in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
instagram
facebook
twitter
So when the supernatural elements suddenly entered the story, I was caught completely off guard. And yes, I’m trying my hardest not to spoil anything because I refuse to be the person who ruins the experience by spilling all the beans! At first, I truly thought the story was about to spiral into complete chaos in a way that wouldn’t work for me. But instead of giving up, I kept reading with patience and curiosity, and honestly, I’m so glad I did. Even when the story became messier, stranger, and much more fairy-tale-like than I expected, I found myself completely absorbed by its eerie, dreamlike atmosphere. The folkloric influence, especially the haunting “Seven Ravens” fairy tale vibes, worked surprisingly well for me, and the ending ultimately won me over emotionally.
In my opinion, this isn’t simply a whimsical YA romance wrapped in fantasy aesthetics the way some readers may initially assume. Beneath the magical elements, this is very much a story about depression, grief, guilt, fear, and emotional survival. Two of the main characters struggle deeply with depression, but they react to it in completely different ways: one fights while the other runs. Their choices, coping mechanisms, and emotional responses ultimately shape the paths they take by the end of the story. The novel also explores themes of finding your voice, learning to stop silencing yourself for the comfort of others, and realizing that procrastinating your life can become its own form of self-destruction. At its heart, it’s about family, freedom, belonging, and the desperate human need to feel like part of something bigger than yourself.
The story takes place in a small New England town famous for its healing hot springs. Seventeen-year-old Lexie arrives there with her depressed mother, younger sister Orly, and aunt in hopes of starting over. After years spent sacrificing her own childhood as a musical prodigy to financially support her struggling family, Lexie is emotionally exhausted. Losing her father and becoming the emotional caretaker of her mother at such a young age has left her carrying far more than any teenager should. The move feels like her chance to finally breathe again and maybe reclaim pieces of herself she lost along the way.
Then she meets Chester, the town’s mysterious golden boy whose body is covered in scars and whose charm hides much darker emotional wounds beneath the surface. Their connection develops quickly, but both of them are carrying secrets they don’t know how to share. After an argument between them, Chester makes a reckless decision and swims in the springs during the coldest day of the year alongside four others, including Lexie’s little sister. And from that moment on, the story transforms into something much darker, stranger, and emotionally devastating.
As tragedy strikes the town, Lexie desperately fights to protect the people she loves while trying to undo what has happened. But once she becomes trapped inside what feels like a living nightmare wrapped in fairy tale rules, she must confront a terrifying question: how much is someone willing to sacrifice to reverse tragedy and save the people they love?
Overall, Lexie was absolutely the standout character for me. I loved her resilience, emotional exhaustion, bravery, and heartbreaking patience as she tried to hold herself and her family together while everything around her unraveled. Her struggles felt painfully real even within the fantastical setting. I do wish Chester’s depression and emotional backstory had been explored with a little more depth because his character undergoes significant emotional shifts, and at times I wanted a stronger connection to his internal struggles rather than primarily viewing him through Lexie’s perspective. Still, the lyrical writing style, emotional intensity, and unique atmosphere kept me fully invested. The author clearly took a creative risk stylistically here, and for me, it mostly paid off. The blend of dark fairy tale energy, emotional realism, and YA fantasy romance created something memorable and genuinely unique within the genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books | Delacorte Press for sharing one of the most unusual, emotional, and thought-provoking YA fantasy romances of the year in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This one is a hard one for me to rate.
I thought the formatting was really cool, and it was definitely a unique form of storytelling, but it also may have been too odd for me.
This was a pretty dark and unsettling novel. At least to me. It kind of made me sad and uncomfortable to read. It is hard to explain, but some of the things that happened I was like wow this is touching on something very deep. Especially with what happened at the end of the book with the seven people. That scene was horrifying. I feel like that will stick with me for a while.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending, though I didn’t hate it. There were some things I REALLY hated, like the multiple mentions of AI and ChatGBT, and the animal cruelty. Neither thing needed to be in there.
I really liked Lexie as a main character. I honestly was a little unimpressed with Chester. I am not saying Lexie is a perfect person, but Chester was a bit of a red flag to me. I wasn’t really rooting for their relationship. They didn’t have that much chemistry either. It was more of a told they were in love with each other and not shown. Very instalove too. If their relationship was fleshed out a little more I maybe would have enjoyed it more. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of them interacting and going on dates and falling in love. If it was a touch longer, I may have supported them being together more. I did think it was sweet how they cared for each other, but I would rather them just be friends. Honestly I’d rather her and Marcus be together!
It was a really short read, so if you want to give it a chance, I don’t think it hurts. Just be ready for it to be a weird and wild ride.
I have to get into some spoilers on some other reasons why I didn’t super love this book. Like I said I wasn’t really a fan of the ending, and that is because, as terrible as it sounds, I almost wish Chester stayed a bird. I know Lexie is in love with him, but one: I didn’t really feel their chemistry, so I wouldn’t have minded if they weren’t endgame, and two: I feel horrible for all the other birds! It’s almost like the author is saying those other people don’t deserve to become human again because they don’t have someone who loves them enough. It was just weird and abrupt to me that it was like okay! He’s a human again. Yay! Now we have our happily ever after. And sure maybe Orly and Zuri were happier together as birds, and Paloma and Samantha seemed like they were fine until their gruesome and sad ending, but birds don’t live as long as humans! It is just sad for them to forever be birds. And I’m sure the boys who turned into ravens didn’t want to be birds! We know Grant didn’t! I know life isn’t fair, but I feel like either all of them should have turned back or none of them. It would have made the ending much more impactful to me.
Another thing I really disliked was Paloma and Samantha’s ending. That was horrible that those men tried to kill them, and successfully did kill one of them! For no reason! And I know they lied and said both of them just attacked the men, but the guy who lived didn’t even get in trouble! Everyone felt bad for them! My question would be is why did they have their guns with them, let alone going into their house! Obviously they were there to start something! It was just so cruel, and again, had no reason to be in there. It was sad they killed the cat (which is another thing that didn’t need to be in there), but that still doesn’t mean the eagles should die. It is very upsetting to read about, and ruins my enjoyment of the book.
I am always so hit or miss with her writing. I wish I liked this more than I did. But it did have some interesting elements in there.
This one is a hard one for me to rate.
I thought the formatting was really cool, and it was definitely a unique form of storytelling, but it also may have been too odd for me.
This was a pretty dark and unsettling novel. At least to me. It kind of made me sad and uncomfortable to read. It is hard to explain, but some of the things that happened I was like wow this is touching on something very deep. Especially with what happened at the end of the book with the seven people. That scene was horrifying. I feel like that will stick with me for a while.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending, though I didn’t hate it. There were some things I REALLY hated, like the multiple mentions of AI and ChatGBT, and the animal cruelty. Neither thing needed to be in there.
I really liked Lexie as a main character. I honestly was a little unimpressed with Chester. I am not saying Lexie is a perfect person, but Chester was a bit of a red flag to me. I wasn’t really rooting for their relationship. They didn’t have that much chemistry either. It was more of a told they were in love with each other and not shown. Very instalove too. If their relationship was fleshed out a little more I maybe would have enjoyed it more. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of them interacting and going on dates and falling in love. If it was a touch longer, I may have supported them being together more. I did think it was sweet how they cared for each other, but I would rather them just be friends. Honestly I’d rather her and Marcus be together!
It was a really short read, so if you want to give it a chance, I don’t think it hurts. Just be ready for it to be a weird and wild ride.
I have to get into some spoilers on some other reasons why I didn’t super love this book. Like I said I wasn’t really a fan of the ending, and that is because, as terrible as it sounds, I almost wish Chester stayed a bird. I know Lexie is in love with him, but one: I didn’t really feel their chemistry, so I wouldn’t have minded if they weren’t endgame, and two: I feel horrible for all the other birds! It’s almost like the author is saying those other people don’t deserve to become human again because they don’t have someone who loves them enough. It was just weird and abrupt to me that it was like okay! He’s a human again. Yay! Now we have our happily ever after. And sure maybe Orly and Zuri were happier together as birds, and Paloma and Samantha seemed like they were fine until their gruesome and sad ending, but birds don’t live as long as humans! It is just sad for them to forever be birds. And I’m sure the boys who turned into ravens didn’t want to be birds! We know Grant didn’t! I know life isn’t fair, but I feel like either all of them should have turned back or none of them. It would have made the ending much more impactful to me.
Another thing I really disliked was Paloma and Samantha’s ending. That was horrible that those men tried to kill them, and successfully did kill one of them! For no reason! And I know they lied and said both of them just attacked the men, but the guy who lived didn’t even get in trouble! Everyone felt bad for them! My question would be is why did they have their guns with them, let alone going into their house! Obviously they were there to start something! It was just so cruel, and again, had no reason to be in there. It was sad they killed the cat (which is another thing that didn’t need to be in there), but that still doesn’t mean the eagles should die. It is very upsetting to read about, and ruins my enjoyment of the book.
I am always so hit or miss with her writing. I wish I liked this more than I did. But it did have some interesting elements in there.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
E. Lockhart’s “The Pools” is definitely not going to work for everyone, but I kind of admire how strange and dreamy it is. If you’re going into this expecting another twisty thriller like “We Were Liars,” this is a completely different vibe. The writing is much more poetic and fragmented, almost like reading a modern fairy tale mixed with prose poetry, and the whole book feels eerie and surreal from start to finish.
The story follows Lexie, who moves to a small New England town famous for its mysterious hot springs. She’s dealing with family struggles and her mother’s illness while trying to figure herself out. Then she meets Chester, the town’s golden boy who’s hiding his own pain, and the two fall into this intense, emotional relationship. But once the pools and their strange folklore become more central to the story, things get increasingly unsettling and symbolic in a way that feels more emotional than logical.
One of the strongest parts of the book is definitely the atmosphere. The town feels cold, haunting, and full of old stories people should probably pay more attention to. Lockhart’s writing style really sells that mood; it’s lyrical, sharp, and often beautiful. The emotions surrounding grief, love, loss, depression, and family responsibility come through really well, even when the plot itself gets abstract.
That said, I did struggle a little with the structure. The mix of poetry, prose, dreamlike fragments, and fairy-tale logic sometimes made it hard to fully settle into the story. Lexie and Chester’s romance had the potential to be incredibly moving, but I wanted more development before the book expected me to feel deeply attached to them. At times it almost felt like hearing a tragic local legend secondhand instead of fully living inside it.
The ending is also the kind that will really divide readers. It’s haunting and memorable, but not neatly explained or fully satisfying in a traditional sense. Honestly, though, that almost fits the fairy-tale feel of the whole novel. It leaves you with emotions and questions more than answers.
Overall, I think “The Pools” is a strange, atmospheric, and emotionally heavy read that feels more like a dark fable than a typical YA mystery. It’s short, fast to read, and packed with mood, but you definitely have to be open to ambiguity and poetic storytelling to really connect with it.
E. Lockhart’s “The Pools” is definitely not going to work for everyone, but I kind of admire how strange and dreamy it is. If you’re going into this expecting another twisty thriller like “We Were Liars,” this is a completely different vibe. The writing is much more poetic and fragmented, almost like reading a modern fairy tale mixed with prose poetry, and the whole book feels eerie and surreal from start to finish.
The story follows Lexie, who moves to a small New England town famous for its mysterious hot springs. She’s dealing with family struggles and her mother’s illness while trying to figure herself out. Then she meets Chester, the town’s golden boy who’s hiding his own pain, and the two fall into this intense, emotional relationship. But once the pools and their strange folklore become more central to the story, things get increasingly unsettling and symbolic in a way that feels more emotional than logical.
One of the strongest parts of the book is definitely the atmosphere. The town feels cold, haunting, and full of old stories people should probably pay more attention to. Lockhart’s writing style really sells that mood; it’s lyrical, sharp, and often beautiful. The emotions surrounding grief, love, loss, depression, and family responsibility come through really well, even when the plot itself gets abstract.
That said, I did struggle a little with the structure. The mix of poetry, prose, dreamlike fragments, and fairy-tale logic sometimes made it hard to fully settle into the story. Lexie and Chester’s romance had the potential to be incredibly moving, but I wanted more development before the book expected me to feel deeply attached to them. At times it almost felt like hearing a tragic local legend secondhand instead of fully living inside it.
The ending is also the kind that will really divide readers. It’s haunting and memorable, but not neatly explained or fully satisfying in a traditional sense. Honestly, though, that almost fits the fairy-tale feel of the whole novel. It leaves you with emotions and questions more than answers.
Overall, I think “The Pools” is a strange, atmospheric, and emotionally heavy read that feels more like a dark fable than a typical YA mystery. It’s short, fast to read, and packed with mood, but you definitely have to be open to ambiguity and poetic storytelling to really connect with it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you netgalley and delacorte
The Pools • E. Lockhart
One phrase: atmospheric, strange, and not quite for me 🌊
I really wanted to be pulled into this one, especially with the eerie New England setting, mysterious hot springs, hidden secrets, and the promise of shocking twists.
The premise is so intriguing. A small town with dark stories tied to the pools. A new girl with a past she will not talk about. A golden boy with secrets of his own. A winter morning swim that changes everything. It has all the bones of a haunting YA story.
Unfortunately, the writing style just did not work for me.
The prose has a poetic, fragmented rhythm that made it hard for me to find a natural flow while reading. Instead of feeling swept into the story, I felt disconnected from it, and that made it difficult for me to fully invest in the characters or the emotional impact of what was happening.
That being said, I can absolutely see this working better for readers who enjoy lyrical, experimental, or almost poem like storytelling. If you like books that feel more atmospheric than straightforward, this may hit differently for you.
For me, the concept was stronger than the execution, but I do think the eerie setting and unusual style will find its audience.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🌊 mysterious hot springs
❄️ small New England town
🖤 dark secrets
💔 damaged characters
✨ poetic writing style
👀 shocking transformation
🌫 atmospheric YA
🧩 strange and unsettling
📚 Read this if you like:
Lyrical writing, experimental storytelling, eerie small towns, YA with mystery elements, and books that lean more atmospheric than plot driven.
This one was not fully for me, but I think readers who love poetic prose may appreciate it more.
#ThePools #ELockhart #YAReads #AtmosphericReads #BookReview
The Pools • E. Lockhart
One phrase: atmospheric, strange, and not quite for me 🌊
I really wanted to be pulled into this one, especially with the eerie New England setting, mysterious hot springs, hidden secrets, and the promise of shocking twists.
The premise is so intriguing. A small town with dark stories tied to the pools. A new girl with a past she will not talk about. A golden boy with secrets of his own. A winter morning swim that changes everything. It has all the bones of a haunting YA story.
Unfortunately, the writing style just did not work for me.
The prose has a poetic, fragmented rhythm that made it hard for me to find a natural flow while reading. Instead of feeling swept into the story, I felt disconnected from it, and that made it difficult for me to fully invest in the characters or the emotional impact of what was happening.
That being said, I can absolutely see this working better for readers who enjoy lyrical, experimental, or almost poem like storytelling. If you like books that feel more atmospheric than straightforward, this may hit differently for you.
For me, the concept was stronger than the execution, but I do think the eerie setting and unusual style will find its audience.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🌊 mysterious hot springs
❄️ small New England town
🖤 dark secrets
💔 damaged characters
✨ poetic writing style
👀 shocking transformation
🌫 atmospheric YA
🧩 strange and unsettling
📚 Read this if you like:
Lyrical writing, experimental storytelling, eerie small towns, YA with mystery elements, and books that lean more atmospheric than plot driven.
This one was not fully for me, but I think readers who love poetic prose may appreciate it more.
#ThePools #ELockhart #YAReads #AtmosphericReads #BookReview
May 10, 2026
🛁 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 🛁
The Pools: A Love Story by E. Lockhart
“I want you to need me.”
“Birds done get lost.
They fly away because they’re not meant to live in houses.”
I woke up on Mother’s Day 2026 in one of the deepest depressive episodes I’ve ever had. I decided halfway through the day that lying with my glasses off, horizontal, staring into space wasn’t productive and that I should pick up a book. I had almost forgotten that I recently was approved on NetGalley for The Pools by E. Lockhart, one of my favorite authors, so I opened it up hoping her signature prose and engaging stories would make me feel better.
It did. Books really are amazing, aren’t they?
This book in particular was so odd in the best way possible. I don’t want to say too much and spoil anything, but what I will say is that fans of novels in verse will be chomping at the bit to devour this in one sitting. Some of the short entries that serve as our “chapters” are written like poems or song lyrics. I enjoyed it so much.
I am a sucker for a YA love story and The Pools found me at the perfect moment. It’s got gorgeous examinations of first love and those feelings you get to feel for the first time. It’s special and sweet as sugar.
Then, when our story takes a somewhat massive turn that you will never see coming, we see other sides of many characters that move the plot forward while keeping you rooting for love to prevail. By the end, you’ll be saying to yourself “I don’t know what I just read, but damn I loved it.”
E. Lockhart brings gorgeous descriptive writing and her trademark phrases that grip you and don’t let go while crafting a deeply original story that will make its home in your heart from the beginning to the end. A weird little love story that reminded me why I love books. 🧡🛁📚☀️🦢
The Pools: A Love Story by E. Lockhart
“I want you to need me.”
“Birds done get lost.
They fly away because they’re not meant to live in houses.”
I woke up on Mother’s Day 2026 in one of the deepest depressive episodes I’ve ever had. I decided halfway through the day that lying with my glasses off, horizontal, staring into space wasn’t productive and that I should pick up a book. I had almost forgotten that I recently was approved on NetGalley for The Pools by E. Lockhart, one of my favorite authors, so I opened it up hoping her signature prose and engaging stories would make me feel better.
It did. Books really are amazing, aren’t they?
This book in particular was so odd in the best way possible. I don’t want to say too much and spoil anything, but what I will say is that fans of novels in verse will be chomping at the bit to devour this in one sitting. Some of the short entries that serve as our “chapters” are written like poems or song lyrics. I enjoyed it so much.
I am a sucker for a YA love story and The Pools found me at the perfect moment. It’s got gorgeous examinations of first love and those feelings you get to feel for the first time. It’s special and sweet as sugar.
Then, when our story takes a somewhat massive turn that you will never see coming, we see other sides of many characters that move the plot forward while keeping you rooting for love to prevail. By the end, you’ll be saying to yourself “I don’t know what I just read, but damn I loved it.”
E. Lockhart brings gorgeous descriptive writing and her trademark phrases that grip you and don’t let go while crafting a deeply original story that will make its home in your heart from the beginning to the end. A weird little love story that reminded me why I love books. 🧡🛁📚☀️🦢
June 18, 2026
The Pools by E. Lockhart takes place in a town with several pools which are rumored to be magical. When Lexie moves to town, she meets Chester at the pools and they quickly fall in love. Only a few months later, though, five people go into the pools and their lives are completely changed. They have turned into birds. Not only is Chester one of the five who is changed, but so is Lexie’s little sister, and so begins Lexie’s journey to figure out how to save them, if she can save them.
E. Lockhart is an auto-read author for me. If she releases a new book, I’m going to read it, regardless of what it’s about. When I picked up this book, I hadn’t read the synopsis yet, so I was startled when these characters turned into birds. It was unexpected – something I’ve never read before – and I couldn’t put it down. This uniqueness made me feel like I couldn’t stop reading.
The fact that the book is written in verse also kept me very engaged. The book is fast paced and felt refreshing to read. At first, I wasn’t sure if I loved the verse – I felt like I couldn’t connect with the characters and get in their heads as much I would have if it was normal prose – but the novel flows so beautifully and with a storyline like this, there’s a little bit of a magical quality to not have all the answers.
I do wish there was a little bit more to the story at the end. I got to the last page and flipped, expecting more, and was disappointed there wasn’t more to read, but overall, I really enjoyed the book. I love how unique the story is, while also maintaining hallmark qualities of E. Lockhart’s writing like her love for stories and fairytales that we see in her other books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
E. Lockhart is an auto-read author for me. If she releases a new book, I’m going to read it, regardless of what it’s about. When I picked up this book, I hadn’t read the synopsis yet, so I was startled when these characters turned into birds. It was unexpected – something I’ve never read before – and I couldn’t put it down. This uniqueness made me feel like I couldn’t stop reading.
The fact that the book is written in verse also kept me very engaged. The book is fast paced and felt refreshing to read. At first, I wasn’t sure if I loved the verse – I felt like I couldn’t connect with the characters and get in their heads as much I would have if it was normal prose – but the novel flows so beautifully and with a storyline like this, there’s a little bit of a magical quality to not have all the answers.
I do wish there was a little bit more to the story at the end. I got to the last page and flipped, expecting more, and was disappointed there wasn’t more to read, but overall, I really enjoyed the book. I love how unique the story is, while also maintaining hallmark qualities of E. Lockhart’s writing like her love for stories and fairytales that we see in her other books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At its heart, this felt like a love story. A love story between a girl and a boy, a mother and a daughter, a town and it’s citizens. I could also see this as a telling of the journey of finding one’s self and having the confidence to do what makes you happy. This is a beautiful telling of the story of one town dealing with the tragedy of losing some of its beloved children and citizens to a mysterious transformation, told as one massive poem. I loved the format of this novel and the risk that E. Lockhart took in choosing to use a variety of prose to communicate the struggle of each character before, during, and after this unexplainable event. I was only able to view this in a digital format but I will be checking out the actual book when it is released to view the artwork of the novel that clearly took a lot of thought and consideration. This novel reminded me somewhat of the novel Sharkheart. Even with shortened prose and a minimal word count, I felt the author did a wonderful job developing the main characters Lexi, Orly, and Chester, as well as the supporting characters. It’s amazing what an author can do to create depth and imagery with few words. I would like to have been able to give this 3.5 stars as it didn’t have enough in the ending to warrant 4 stars but the risks in authoring a book in this manner and the level of emotion invoked in the reader is definitely worth more than 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Penguin Random House for the advanced copy giveaway!
This book is 1. in verse, and 2. magical realism, neither of which I realized before I started. I was largely impressed by E. Lockhart's command of verse, but there were some portions where the level of repetition or the rhyme scheme felt too childish.
Lexie's backstory was frustrating to me. .
I enjoyed the magical realism aspect of the book, and Lockhart did a nice balance of grounding the magic in reality but not peering too closely at its mechanics.
The end was very emotional (I cried), but I don't understand why It felt a little unsatisfying.
Overall this is a high school love story made interesting by genre and format. I'd recommend if you like YA and/or books in verse. If you don't, I'd skip it.
This book is 1. in verse, and 2. magical realism, neither of which I realized before I started. I was largely impressed by E. Lockhart's command of verse, but there were some portions where the level of repetition or the rhyme scheme felt too childish.
Lexie's backstory was frustrating to me. .
I enjoyed the magical realism aspect of the book, and Lockhart did a nice balance of grounding the magic in reality but not peering too closely at its mechanics.
The end was very emotional (I cried), but I don't understand why It felt a little unsatisfying.
Overall this is a high school love story made interesting by genre and format. I'd recommend if you like YA and/or books in verse. If you don't, I'd skip it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Pools by E. Lockhart is vastly different from what I’ve come to expect from her work, but it still carries the same beautifully tragic tone that defines so many of her stories.
At first, I found myself thrown off by the novel-in-verse format. The short, poetic chapters felt unfamiliar and even a bit disorienting compared to her more traditional storytelling style. However, as the story unfolded, that structure became one of its greatest strengths. The lyrical writing adds an emotional intensity that pulls you deeper into the characters’ experiences, making every moment feel raw and immediate.
What stood out most to me was how deeply I connected with the characters. Their grief, confusion, and love felt incredibly real, and I found myself sharing in their emotional journey. Lockhart has a talent for capturing complex feelings in a way that lingers, and The Pools is no exception.
My only criticism is that the ending felt somewhat rushed. After such a powerful buildup, I would have appreciated more detail and time spent resolving the story’s final moments. Still, the impact of the narrative remains strong, and the emotional resonance carries through even after the last page.
Overall, The Pools is a haunting and memorable read that explores love, loss, and identity in a unique and poetic way.
At first, I found myself thrown off by the novel-in-verse format. The short, poetic chapters felt unfamiliar and even a bit disorienting compared to her more traditional storytelling style. However, as the story unfolded, that structure became one of its greatest strengths. The lyrical writing adds an emotional intensity that pulls you deeper into the characters’ experiences, making every moment feel raw and immediate.
What stood out most to me was how deeply I connected with the characters. Their grief, confusion, and love felt incredibly real, and I found myself sharing in their emotional journey. Lockhart has a talent for capturing complex feelings in a way that lingers, and The Pools is no exception.
My only criticism is that the ending felt somewhat rushed. After such a powerful buildup, I would have appreciated more detail and time spent resolving the story’s final moments. Still, the impact of the narrative remains strong, and the emotional resonance carries through even after the last page.
Overall, The Pools is a haunting and memorable read that explores love, loss, and identity in a unique and poetic way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 ⭐️
I want to thank the Publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very different kind of book, especially compared to We Were Liars. The writing is much more poetic and lyrical, even in just feh wring style, which gives it a unique, almost dreamlike tone, but also makes it feel less like a traditional mystery or thriller.
The story leans into dark themes and has a somewhat distant feel, which made it harder for me to fully connect with the characters. It’s also not a straightforward mystery, and the plot doesn’t wrap up in a typical, clearly resolved way.
That said, there’s something really interesting about it. It almost reads like a modern day fairytale, with an eerie, slightly surreal atmosphere. While I didn’t always know exactly how I felt about what was happening, I was still intrigued enough to keep reading, and ended up finishing it in a day.
The ending was one of the stronger parts for me, though I do wish it had been a bit longer and more developed.
I do think The Pools is a strange but compelling read. It didn’t fully come together for me in terms of connection or clarity, but I appreciated its originality and atmosphere.
I want to thank the Publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very different kind of book, especially compared to We Were Liars. The writing is much more poetic and lyrical, even in just feh wring style, which gives it a unique, almost dreamlike tone, but also makes it feel less like a traditional mystery or thriller.
The story leans into dark themes and has a somewhat distant feel, which made it harder for me to fully connect with the characters. It’s also not a straightforward mystery, and the plot doesn’t wrap up in a typical, clearly resolved way.
That said, there’s something really interesting about it. It almost reads like a modern day fairytale, with an eerie, slightly surreal atmosphere. While I didn’t always know exactly how I felt about what was happening, I was still intrigued enough to keep reading, and ended up finishing it in a day.
The ending was one of the stronger parts for me, though I do wish it had been a bit longer and more developed.
I do think The Pools is a strange but compelling read. It didn’t fully come together for me in terms of connection or clarity, but I appreciated its originality and atmosphere.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The pools are said to have mystical powers. Lexie hopes that her mother's illness with be cured with it's healing powers. As Lexie cares for her family, she falls in love with Chester, a boy at her school. One day Lexie and Chester get into a fight. As he swims at the pools, he is turned into a swan. Lexie is left alone trying to navigate the loss of the people she loves. Will she give up, or will she save those she loves?
This prose written novel will make you think about the lengths we are willing to go to for those we love. It will challenge what you see as normal, and what is most important in life. If you have enjoyed e. Lockhart's other novels, this will be a hit with you. The loss, love and growth of Lexie will make you appreciate your teen(s) (or teen self) in your life.
I enjoyed the concept of the book and the poetry structure. The relationship between Lexie and Chester was one that people search for. The parallel's between fairy tales and fables was a great concept. If you do not enjoy poetry, you may have a hard time reading this novel. For others, the shorter phrases may be a draw. Either way, the feelings and emotions were well described and felt from page to page.
***NetGalley ARC Review***
This prose written novel will make you think about the lengths we are willing to go to for those we love. It will challenge what you see as normal, and what is most important in life. If you have enjoyed e. Lockhart's other novels, this will be a hit with you. The loss, love and growth of Lexie will make you appreciate your teen(s) (or teen self) in your life.
I enjoyed the concept of the book and the poetry structure. The relationship between Lexie and Chester was one that people search for. The parallel's between fairy tales and fables was a great concept. If you do not enjoy poetry, you may have a hard time reading this novel. For others, the shorter phrases may be a draw. Either way, the feelings and emotions were well described and felt from page to page.
***NetGalley ARC Review***
May 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC of The Pools by E. Lockhart in exchange for an honest review.
E. Lockhart has a way of pulling readers into stories that feel dreamlike, unsettling, and emotionally sharp all at once, and The Pools was no exception. This is a deeply atmospheric, emotionally heavy read that explores love, grief, longing, privilege, and the complicated ways people can both save and unravel each other.
Lockhart’s writing is immersive and haunting, creating that signature sense that something is just slightly off beneath the surface. The emotional weight of this story definitely lingers, and there were moments that felt quietly devastating. The relationships were messy, layered, and achingly human, which made the story hit harder.
That said, this isn’t a light or easy read, and at times the emotional heaviness made the pacing feel slower for me. But even in those moments, I was invested in seeing how everything would unfold.
If you enjoy beautifully written, emotionally complex stories with an undercurrent of unease and heartbreak, The Pools is worth picking up. It’s the kind of book that leaves you sitting with your thoughts long after the final page.
E. Lockhart has a way of pulling readers into stories that feel dreamlike, unsettling, and emotionally sharp all at once, and The Pools was no exception. This is a deeply atmospheric, emotionally heavy read that explores love, grief, longing, privilege, and the complicated ways people can both save and unravel each other.
Lockhart’s writing is immersive and haunting, creating that signature sense that something is just slightly off beneath the surface. The emotional weight of this story definitely lingers, and there were moments that felt quietly devastating. The relationships were messy, layered, and achingly human, which made the story hit harder.
That said, this isn’t a light or easy read, and at times the emotional heaviness made the pacing feel slower for me. But even in those moments, I was invested in seeing how everything would unfold.
If you enjoy beautifully written, emotionally complex stories with an undercurrent of unease and heartbreak, The Pools is worth picking up. It’s the kind of book that leaves you sitting with your thoughts long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into The Pools by E. Lockhart really looking forward to it, and I’m a little bummed it didn’t quite click the way I’d hoped.
I appreciate the exploration and care that went into the mashup of prose, but I had a hard time fully settling into it. I found myself trying to understand the rhythm, the flow, the structure, and in doing that, I never quite settled into the story. There is a real mix of styles here: poetry, prose, dreamlike fragments. While I think I can see what she was aiming for, it felt like a lot to hold all at once. Some parts really did land for me, just not consistently enough to stay fully immersed.
Chester and Lexie’s connection has all the makings of something beautiful and lovely, but it felt a bit rushed and disjointed to me. I wanted more time with them at the beginning, more build, more reasons to feel as invested as the story seemed to expect me to be.
And the ending… I’m torn. Parts of it worked, parts of it didn’t. But maybe that is the point? I do not always love the endings of fairy tales either, and this, I suppose, felt a little like that. A bit unsettling, and not entirely satisfying.
I appreciate the exploration and care that went into the mashup of prose, but I had a hard time fully settling into it. I found myself trying to understand the rhythm, the flow, the structure, and in doing that, I never quite settled into the story. There is a real mix of styles here: poetry, prose, dreamlike fragments. While I think I can see what she was aiming for, it felt like a lot to hold all at once. Some parts really did land for me, just not consistently enough to stay fully immersed.
Chester and Lexie’s connection has all the makings of something beautiful and lovely, but it felt a bit rushed and disjointed to me. I wanted more time with them at the beginning, more build, more reasons to feel as invested as the story seemed to expect me to be.
And the ending… I’m torn. Parts of it worked, parts of it didn’t. But maybe that is the point? I do not always love the endings of fairy tales either, and this, I suppose, felt a little like that. A bit unsettling, and not entirely satisfying.
May 22, 2026
If you like We Were Liars, give E. Lockhart’s The Pools a shot.
It’s written with the same hypnotic, emotionally charged style that has made her such a compelling voice for teen readers. Her prose is lyrical and experimental, often unfolding in short, rhythmic sentences that feel almost like poetry on the page. The fragmented, stanza-like structure gives the story an urgency and intimacy that pulls readers straight into the characters’ emotional worlds.
Lockhart also knows exactly how to pace a novel for teens. The brief chapters and quick, propulsive scenes make the book impossible to put down, building suspense in a way that constantly pushes you toward the next page. Even when the plot leans heavily into fairy-tale or surreal elements, her writing keeps the characters grounded and believable. The teenagers in this novel feel vivid, messy, and intensely alive.
At times, the fairy-tale quality can feel a little over-the-top, but somehow it still works. Lockhart has taken an older myth/fairy tale and given it a modern life.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this wonderful ARC.
It’s written with the same hypnotic, emotionally charged style that has made her such a compelling voice for teen readers. Her prose is lyrical and experimental, often unfolding in short, rhythmic sentences that feel almost like poetry on the page. The fragmented, stanza-like structure gives the story an urgency and intimacy that pulls readers straight into the characters’ emotional worlds.
Lockhart also knows exactly how to pace a novel for teens. The brief chapters and quick, propulsive scenes make the book impossible to put down, building suspense in a way that constantly pushes you toward the next page. Even when the plot leans heavily into fairy-tale or surreal elements, her writing keeps the characters grounded and believable. The teenagers in this novel feel vivid, messy, and intensely alive.
At times, the fairy-tale quality can feel a little over-the-top, but somehow it still works. Lockhart has taken an older myth/fairy tale and given it a modern life.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this wonderful ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this ARC from Net Galley, and all of Lockhart’s books never fail to amaze me. The writing style is so unique— and this one was so simple to read. I loved the way the chapters were set up because the reading just flowed smoothly. I also was shocked in the middle of the book from the plot twist, and then the end again. It’s a sad story about grief, finding yourself, and loss. However, it was such a beautiful and moving read. It reads a lot like poetry, and it’s such a great fast-paced read! I highly recommend this book to readers for when it comes out!
The reason it isn’t a full five stars is because it wasn’t a book that I was fully obsessed with, and the storyline of it was very random in my opinion. However, it was easy to fall into a fast rhythm of reading and enjoying this book. I loved that the author warned of what was to come throughout the story, but it didn’t seem obvious when she did. I think this genre and type of book isn’t for everyone because it’s very abstract, but if you are looking for something like that I would totally recommend it!
The reason it isn’t a full five stars is because it wasn’t a book that I was fully obsessed with, and the storyline of it was very random in my opinion. However, it was easy to fall into a fast rhythm of reading and enjoying this book. I loved that the author warned of what was to come throughout the story, but it didn’t seem obvious when she did. I think this genre and type of book isn’t for everyone because it’s very abstract, but if you are looking for something like that I would totally recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A short, poetic read for when you’re looking for a fairy tale or a whimsical love story. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with the characters or story the way i’d hoped. I felt like I was in a side town hearing it via gossip rather than engulfed in Covington. A magical little story set in a small town of hot springs and ancestral lore. Lexie is new to town and keeps to herself. Chester is a boy who is rediscovering life post a serious bout of depression. They have a short adventure of falling in love before some old town magic takes over. It’s a story of grief and persevering love. It explores themes of suicide, self harm, parentification of siblings, addiction, depression, grief, loss, and young love. I’d recommend it to older teens who enjoy poetry. I think it’s a good bridge between poetry and short stories. I think I read the whole thing in two hours, so it’d be easy to pick it up between full length novels.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Pools by E. Lockhart is an atmospheric and intriguing read that showcases the author’s signature style—lyrical, mysterious, and emotionally layered. The story draws readers in with its sense of unease and quiet tension, unfolding in a way that keeps you curious about what lies beneath the surface.
Lockhart’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing complex emotions and relationships with a subtle touch. The mood is one of the book’s strongest elements, creating a lingering impression that stays with you even after finishing.
At times, the narrative can feel a bit abstract, and some readers may wish for more clarity or resolution in certain plot points. However, this ambiguity is also part of what gives the story its depth and invites interpretation.
Overall, The Pools is a compelling and thought-provoking read that earns four stars for its haunting atmosphere and distinctive storytelling.
Lockhart’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing complex emotions and relationships with a subtle touch. The mood is one of the book’s strongest elements, creating a lingering impression that stays with you even after finishing.
At times, the narrative can feel a bit abstract, and some readers may wish for more clarity or resolution in certain plot points. However, this ambiguity is also part of what gives the story its depth and invites interpretation.
Overall, The Pools is a compelling and thought-provoking read that earns four stars for its haunting atmosphere and distinctive storytelling.
May 13, 2026
Thank you netgalley and random house childrens books for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of E Lockhart’s new book. I have to say, this book was not what I was expecting. I am not sure what I expected, but I read the We Were Liars series, so I guess I assumed it would be like that. When I first started reading, I thought the format was messed up on my kindle! Lol then I realized that was how this book was written! I kind of liked that. Like poetry, and made it a quick read. I was a little confused at first, but then I got it together. I agree with a lot of other comments other reviewers mentioned. I liked the story a lot, and the format was new for me. I personally would not call this really a mystery? But thats just me!
May 17, 2026
3.4 stars. The Pools is a young adult novel written in verse style about the pools in Covington, that as legend has it, was the site of a tragedy many years ago. When Lexie moves to Covington, she visits the pools as they are a popular teen hangout. She meets new friends, a new boy, and is embracing her new life, until the unthinkable happens. Is history repeating itself? I liked the style of the book, and found the story to be unique take on this type of fairytale-like novel. However, I wanted more. The characters were interesting, and I wanted to know more about their backgrounds and how they became the person that they are. It is a quick read, and I would recommend it for YA fantasy fans.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Pools by E. Lockhart is certainly a different kind of novel than I usually read. This YA story is a very quick read, with young teen love at its center, but there is much more going on beneath the surface. The writing style is incredibly unique, almost as if the entire novel is written in poetry.
About a third of the way through, something completely unexpected happens that changes the direction of the story. Without giving anything away, it evolves into a modern fairy-tale love story with elements of fantasy and romance. I have to give the author credit for her creative ideas and distinctive storytelling style.
I rated this 3.5 stars and rounded up to 4. Readers who enjoy YA romance, fantasy, and unconventional writing will likely find a lot to love in this book.
About a third of the way through, something completely unexpected happens that changes the direction of the story. Without giving anything away, it evolves into a modern fairy-tale love story with elements of fantasy and romance. I have to give the author credit for her creative ideas and distinctive storytelling style.
I rated this 3.5 stars and rounded up to 4. Readers who enjoy YA romance, fantasy, and unconventional writing will likely find a lot to love in this book.
June 19, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Being a teenager is not easy, and Pools by E. Lockhart captures that reality with honesty and heart. The story thoughtfully explores the ups and downs of adolescence, while weaving in family complications, first love, and elements of old folklore that add depth and intrigue.
The narrative flows smoothly, making it easy to stay engaged, and the emotions feel authentic and relatable. That connection helps the story resonate on a personal level, even when certain moments may not fully land for every reader. Still, the overall message is endearing and thoughtfully delivered.
Pools is a compelling coming-of-age novel that blends realism with a touch of mythology, making it a worthwhile read for fans of character-driven young adult fiction.
Being a teenager is not easy, and Pools by E. Lockhart captures that reality with honesty and heart. The story thoughtfully explores the ups and downs of adolescence, while weaving in family complications, first love, and elements of old folklore that add depth and intrigue.
The narrative flows smoothly, making it easy to stay engaged, and the emotions feel authentic and relatable. That connection helps the story resonate on a personal level, even when certain moments may not fully land for every reader. Still, the overall message is endearing and thoughtfully delivered.
Pools is a compelling coming-of-age novel that blends realism with a touch of mythology, making it a worthwhile read for fans of character-driven young adult fiction.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was definitely weird, but I enjoyed it. Sometimes it's fun to get outside of my regular genre and general comfort zone and do something different. It's also a super fast read so if you don't like it. it's over soon. It's written in poetry-type prose similar to how Lockhart has written other books. The main characters are Lexie, who is new in town, and Chester, who she begins a relationship with. Fate has other plans and there are weird things happening related to the natural spring pools in town. This is about all I can say without giving anything away but the story itself was whimsical and the characters managed to have a lot of depth, despite it being a short read. I will read whatever this author puts out next, I'm sure!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I don't know...this one just wasn't it for me.
The atmosphere was creepy and mysterious, and that's honestly what kept me reading. I kept waiting for everything to click because I was so intrigued by the premise, but it never fully got there for me.
The pacing felt pretty slow, and I never really connected with the characters the way I wanted to. The romance was just okay, and I was hoping for more chemistry and more emotion.
The twists were interesting, but they didn't have me gasping or thinking about the book after I finished it. I wanted to love this one way more than I actually did.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read—it just didn't wow me. I'm glad I gave it a chance, but it's probably not one I'll think about much moving forward.
The atmosphere was creepy and mysterious, and that's honestly what kept me reading. I kept waiting for everything to click because I was so intrigued by the premise, but it never fully got there for me.
The pacing felt pretty slow, and I never really connected with the characters the way I wanted to. The romance was just okay, and I was hoping for more chemistry and more emotion.
The twists were interesting, but they didn't have me gasping or thinking about the book after I finished it. I wanted to love this one way more than I actually did.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read—it just didn't wow me. I'm glad I gave it a chance, but it's probably not one I'll think about much moving forward.
April 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read and review The Pools by E. Lockhart.
“The Pools” was a little difficult to follow at times, but I still found it interesting overall. I’m giving this book 2 out of 5 stars because the writing style was different from what I expected, which made it harder to fully understand what was happening in the story. However, I appreciated the author’s use of poetry and rhythm throughout the book, as it added a unique and creative way of telling the story. I also think this would be a great book for young adults who are getting into reading because the pages are short and it’s a fast, easy read.
“The Pools” was a little difficult to follow at times, but I still found it interesting overall. I’m giving this book 2 out of 5 stars because the writing style was different from what I expected, which made it harder to fully understand what was happening in the story. However, I appreciated the author’s use of poetry and rhythm throughout the book, as it added a unique and creative way of telling the story. I also think this would be a great book for young adults who are getting into reading because the pages are short and it’s a fast, easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews