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Where Lost Girls Go
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jul 26From New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger comes an addicting read that's The Girls by Emma Cline meets The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson.
There are many reasons why six girls have ended up living with Sol in a cabin deep in the Kentucky woods. But the girls don't talk about what has brought them each here or who they were before. The have become sisters and are grateful to have a place to call home.
Iris knows she owes everything to Sol. He has promised to keep them safe from their pasts. All he asks in return is for their loyalty, which Iris freely gives. With her sisters and Sol as her family, she feels happier than she has in a long time. Until a new girl, dubbed Rose by Sol, arrives and everything changes.
Iris is drawn Rose, but as they grow closer, Rose has Iris questioning things about this life in the woods. When Sol notices, he challenges Iris to prove her commitment to their family. Her sisters tell her that she should be willing to do anything for the man who saved her. But with each new ask, Iris realizes there is more to Sol - and her sisters - than she knows.
New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger weaves a stunning story about girlhood, power, and desperation that asks just how far we'll go to save ourselves - and those we love.
There are many reasons why six girls have ended up living with Sol in a cabin deep in the Kentucky woods. But the girls don't talk about what has brought them each here or who they were before. The have become sisters and are grateful to have a place to call home.
Iris knows she owes everything to Sol. He has promised to keep them safe from their pasts. All he asks in return is for their loyalty, which Iris freely gives. With her sisters and Sol as her family, she feels happier than she has in a long time. Until a new girl, dubbed Rose by Sol, arrives and everything changes.
Iris is drawn Rose, but as they grow closer, Rose has Iris questioning things about this life in the woods. When Sol notices, he challenges Iris to prove her commitment to their family. Her sisters tell her that she should be willing to do anything for the man who saved her. But with each new ask, Iris realizes there is more to Sol - and her sisters - than she knows.
New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger weaves a stunning story about girlhood, power, and desperation that asks just how far we'll go to save ourselves - and those we love.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2026
About the author
Kody Keplinger
13 books6,778 followersKody Keplinger is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of books like The DUFF, That's Not What Happened, and Where Lost Girls Go, as well as many others. Her debut novel, The DUFF, was published when she was nineteen years old and was later adapted into a feature film starring Mae Whitman. Kody is legally blind and queer and many of her books feature characters from those backgrounds as well. When not writing, she loves to play Dungeons and Dragons and hang out with her dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
November 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This is the first book by Kody Keplinger that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. Where Lost Girls Go, had me trying to guess what would happen next throughout the story. I don’t want to give anything away, but the ending surprised me in a way I hadn’t thought. If you don’t want to read any spoilers… please stop reading now!
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We have two POVs throughout the story- Caela and Iris’s. Let’s just say, I’m not sure if I’m just dumb or if it was intentional the way the author wrote this. I was convinced that Rose was Caela and Iris was Iris. But it turns out Iri was Caela. Caela’s POV is told in third person, while Iris’s POV is first person. Like I said, I’m not sure if it’s just me, or if the author did that intentionally(as a way to throw the reader off?) It’s not exactly a plot twist, but I was a shock when I was expecting finally know Iris’s real name, only to find out I already knew it. Now that I think of it, I could also talk about how me believing or thinking that Caela was Rose and Iris wasn’t, could do with identity and exploring that. I feel like I’m not making sense, but hopefully once more ARCs are read or when it is released, I can talk about it with other people and see what they think!
While it is YA, the story doesn’t feel like a typical YA book. Yes, the girls’ ages range from 16 to early twenties, but the topics and themes throughout are a little darker. I usually am apprehensive about YA books, but I now believe that is only the case when it comes to YA romance. Yes, there is a little bit of sapphic romance in the story, but Where Lost Girls Go, is so much more than that. Ugh, I wish I had someone to talk to about this book. It’s definitely one that could easily be a book club book due to the themes and motifs that could be explored. I would definitely recommend this book and author to anyone over the age of 14ish.
Easily a 5 star read!!!
This is the first book by Kody Keplinger that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. Where Lost Girls Go, had me trying to guess what would happen next throughout the story. I don’t want to give anything away, but the ending surprised me in a way I hadn’t thought. If you don’t want to read any spoilers… please stop reading now!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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We have two POVs throughout the story- Caela and Iris’s. Let’s just say, I’m not sure if I’m just dumb or if it was intentional the way the author wrote this. I was convinced that Rose was Caela and Iris was Iris. But it turns out Iri was Caela. Caela’s POV is told in third person, while Iris’s POV is first person. Like I said, I’m not sure if it’s just me, or if the author did that intentionally(as a way to throw the reader off?) It’s not exactly a plot twist, but I was a shock when I was expecting finally know Iris’s real name, only to find out I already knew it. Now that I think of it, I could also talk about how me believing or thinking that Caela was Rose and Iris wasn’t, could do with identity and exploring that. I feel like I’m not making sense, but hopefully once more ARCs are read or when it is released, I can talk about it with other people and see what they think!
While it is YA, the story doesn’t feel like a typical YA book. Yes, the girls’ ages range from 16 to early twenties, but the topics and themes throughout are a little darker. I usually am apprehensive about YA books, but I now believe that is only the case when it comes to YA romance. Yes, there is a little bit of sapphic romance in the story, but Where Lost Girls Go, is so much more than that. Ugh, I wish I had someone to talk to about this book. It’s definitely one that could easily be a book club book due to the themes and motifs that could be explored. I would definitely recommend this book and author to anyone over the age of 14ish.
Easily a 5 star read!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 3.0 stars.
The cult themes really sold me here, it’s psychologically dark and there’s a found family element you wonder whether it was worth finding the family at all.
As the new girl embeds herself into this new environment and is figuring out what her place is in it all, we get to see how manipulative and comforting Sol and his garden are. There’s a slight romantic subplot that kind of carries this for me, it gives our characters strength to figure out whats truth beneath the rules and trials set before them. The ending is very bittersweet, but I liked it, I just wish it expanded further.
The cult themes really sold me here, it’s psychologically dark and there’s a found family element you wonder whether it was worth finding the family at all.
As the new girl embeds herself into this new environment and is figuring out what her place is in it all, we get to see how manipulative and comforting Sol and his garden are. There’s a slight romantic subplot that kind of carries this for me, it gives our characters strength to figure out whats truth beneath the rules and trials set before them. The ending is very bittersweet, but I liked it, I just wish it expanded further.
November 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Kody Keplinger’s “Where Lost Girls Go” is a tense, emotionally charged YA book that combines cult psychology, coming-of-age vulnerability, and a tender sapphic romance into a story that’s as unsettling as it is heartfelt. Though marketed as young adult, the book tackles darker, more mature themes than typical YA fare with grief, predatory manipulation, trauma bonding, and the desperate human need to belong. The romance is clean, and the story can still be suitable for younger YA readers to help introduce them to the red flag behavior of the following’s leader.
The story follows two perspectives: Iris, told in an intimate first-person voice, and Caela, narrated in third person. Both perspectives show what happens when you both lose and regain control of your own life. And control is the very thing Sol, the charismatic but deeply manipulative leader of the secluded woodland “family,” craves most.
The setup is chillingly realistic: a group of girls, most minors and all traumatized or adrift, living isolated in a cabin with a man who promises salvation, safety, and a new beginning. In reality, Sol has groomed them into dependency through psychological manipulation, escalating “trials,” and strict loyalty tests. There’s no sexual abuse in the story, but Sol’s need for power is insidious, cult-like, and deeply damaging. He feeds the girls poorly, withholds information, and pushes Iris into increasingly dangerous and illegal tasks to prove her devotion.
The girls themselves are the emotional heart of the book. They come with flower names like Rose, Iris, and others, and this is a motif that underscores both their fragility and their resilience. Their bond feels genuine, forged through shared pain and the desperate longing for family they never truly had. When Rose arrives, the group dynamic shifts: she clings to Iris, Iris clings back, and a slow-blooming sapphic romance begins to take shape. Their connection is tender, hesitant, and a key catalyst in Iris’s awakening.
Flashbacks deepen Iris’s character, showing the grief, loneliness, and past mistakes that left her vulnerable to Sol’s influence. It’s easy to ache for her, and for all the girls as each of them was shaped by a world that failed them long before Sol ever did.
The mystery surrounding Sol’s true intentions and the cabin’s secrets starts strong. A few side characters could have used more development, and an epilogue would have strengthened the already satisfying ending. Still, the story’s emotional beats land powerfully, especially as Iris begins to question Sol, reclaim her identity, and fight, literally, for her freedom.
The final act delivers danger, blood, and real stakes, but its strongest moment is Iris choosing herself: her safety, her future, her right to exist outside the confines of someone else's control.
Overall, “Where Lost Girls Go” is a gripping, thoughtful, and often heartbreaking look at how predators build power and how young women find the strength to break that power apart. It’s a perfect choice for readers who appreciate YA that doesn’t sugarcoat trauma, and who want a story that balances darkness with resilience, danger with hope.
Kody Keplinger’s “Where Lost Girls Go” is a tense, emotionally charged YA book that combines cult psychology, coming-of-age vulnerability, and a tender sapphic romance into a story that’s as unsettling as it is heartfelt. Though marketed as young adult, the book tackles darker, more mature themes than typical YA fare with grief, predatory manipulation, trauma bonding, and the desperate human need to belong. The romance is clean, and the story can still be suitable for younger YA readers to help introduce them to the red flag behavior of the following’s leader.
The story follows two perspectives: Iris, told in an intimate first-person voice, and Caela, narrated in third person. Both perspectives show what happens when you both lose and regain control of your own life. And control is the very thing Sol, the charismatic but deeply manipulative leader of the secluded woodland “family,” craves most.
The setup is chillingly realistic: a group of girls, most minors and all traumatized or adrift, living isolated in a cabin with a man who promises salvation, safety, and a new beginning. In reality, Sol has groomed them into dependency through psychological manipulation, escalating “trials,” and strict loyalty tests. There’s no sexual abuse in the story, but Sol’s need for power is insidious, cult-like, and deeply damaging. He feeds the girls poorly, withholds information, and pushes Iris into increasingly dangerous and illegal tasks to prove her devotion.
The girls themselves are the emotional heart of the book. They come with flower names like Rose, Iris, and others, and this is a motif that underscores both their fragility and their resilience. Their bond feels genuine, forged through shared pain and the desperate longing for family they never truly had. When Rose arrives, the group dynamic shifts: she clings to Iris, Iris clings back, and a slow-blooming sapphic romance begins to take shape. Their connection is tender, hesitant, and a key catalyst in Iris’s awakening.
Flashbacks deepen Iris’s character, showing the grief, loneliness, and past mistakes that left her vulnerable to Sol’s influence. It’s easy to ache for her, and for all the girls as each of them was shaped by a world that failed them long before Sol ever did.
The mystery surrounding Sol’s true intentions and the cabin’s secrets starts strong. A few side characters could have used more development, and an epilogue would have strengthened the already satisfying ending. Still, the story’s emotional beats land powerfully, especially as Iris begins to question Sol, reclaim her identity, and fight, literally, for her freedom.
The final act delivers danger, blood, and real stakes, but its strongest moment is Iris choosing herself: her safety, her future, her right to exist outside the confines of someone else's control.
Overall, “Where Lost Girls Go” is a gripping, thoughtful, and often heartbreaking look at how predators build power and how young women find the strength to break that power apart. It’s a perfect choice for readers who appreciate YA that doesn’t sugarcoat trauma, and who want a story that balances darkness with resilience, danger with hope.
July 8, 2026
A secluded cabin in the Kentucky mountains. Five girls who call themselves sisters. And a man who calls himself their salvation - until one new arrival begins to unravel everything.
📚 Pre-Reading Thoughts
Kody Keplinger has a clear strength in tone: she can pivot between sharp humour and genuinely emotional storytelling. Going in, I expected something on the heavier side given the premise, especially with themes involving isolation and control.
Cult narratives are always compelling when they’re done well, particularly when the horror is built from emotional dependence rather than overt violence.
📖 Post-Reading
As I thought...
This is a deeply unsettling and emotionally charged novel. The real tension doesn’t come from external threats, but from watching relationships that have been carefully shaped and controlled over time.
The mountain setting works beautifully. The isolation isn’t just atmospheric - it becomes part of the mechanism that keeps everything contained and in place.
The structure, including the interwoven flashbacks, adds depth to the characters’ pasts, though it may take a little adjustment for readers at the beginning as timelines shift.
It surprised me by...
Just how effective the emotional manipulation is portrayed. Even when you know what Sol is doing, it remains difficult to watch the girls interpret control as care and protection.
The gradual unravelling of belief. Rather than a sudden realisation, the story shows how doubt creeps in slowly, often triggered by small inconsistencies or moments of connection with the outside world.
The strength of the group dynamics. The relationship between the girls - loyal, complicated, protective - adds a painful layer to the central conflict.
This is not an easy read, but it is a powerful one, particularly in how it explores loyalty, coercion, and the difficulty of recognising harm when it is wrapped in affection.
🎧 Music Pairing
🎵 Featured Song:
Control
🎶 Vibe Album:
Ultraviolence
🎧 Artist Recommendation:
Florence + The Machine — for that blend of emotional intensity and looming, ritualistic atmosphere.
🌈 Vibe Check
Colour Palette: pine green, bone white, dusk grey, bruised purple
Soundtrack: wind through trees, distant creek water, footsteps on wooden floors
Season: late autumn fading into winter
Mood: claustrophobic, tense, emotionally heavy
Scent: pine resin, smoke, damp earth
🃏 Tarot Pull
Seven of Swords
Secrecy runs through this entire story - not just in what is hidden from the outside world, but in what the girls are taught to hide from themselves. The Seven of Swords reflects deception, self-deception, and survival through silence. It captures both the manipulation at the centre of the cabin and the quiet, internal strategies the girls begin to use as they question the world they’ve been given.
👀 For fans of
The Girls
psychological fiction about coercion, belief, and control
isolated, atmospheric thrillers set in closed communities
📚 Pre-Reading Thoughts
Kody Keplinger has a clear strength in tone: she can pivot between sharp humour and genuinely emotional storytelling. Going in, I expected something on the heavier side given the premise, especially with themes involving isolation and control.
Cult narratives are always compelling when they’re done well, particularly when the horror is built from emotional dependence rather than overt violence.
📖 Post-Reading
As I thought...
This is a deeply unsettling and emotionally charged novel. The real tension doesn’t come from external threats, but from watching relationships that have been carefully shaped and controlled over time.
The mountain setting works beautifully. The isolation isn’t just atmospheric - it becomes part of the mechanism that keeps everything contained and in place.
The structure, including the interwoven flashbacks, adds depth to the characters’ pasts, though it may take a little adjustment for readers at the beginning as timelines shift.
It surprised me by...
Just how effective the emotional manipulation is portrayed. Even when you know what Sol is doing, it remains difficult to watch the girls interpret control as care and protection.
The gradual unravelling of belief. Rather than a sudden realisation, the story shows how doubt creeps in slowly, often triggered by small inconsistencies or moments of connection with the outside world.
The strength of the group dynamics. The relationship between the girls - loyal, complicated, protective - adds a painful layer to the central conflict.
This is not an easy read, but it is a powerful one, particularly in how it explores loyalty, coercion, and the difficulty of recognising harm when it is wrapped in affection.
🎧 Music Pairing
🎵 Featured Song:
Control
🎶 Vibe Album:
Ultraviolence
🎧 Artist Recommendation:
Florence + The Machine — for that blend of emotional intensity and looming, ritualistic atmosphere.
🌈 Vibe Check
Colour Palette: pine green, bone white, dusk grey, bruised purple
Soundtrack: wind through trees, distant creek water, footsteps on wooden floors
Season: late autumn fading into winter
Mood: claustrophobic, tense, emotionally heavy
Scent: pine resin, smoke, damp earth
🃏 Tarot Pull
Seven of Swords
Secrecy runs through this entire story - not just in what is hidden from the outside world, but in what the girls are taught to hide from themselves. The Seven of Swords reflects deception, self-deception, and survival through silence. It captures both the manipulation at the centre of the cabin and the quiet, internal strategies the girls begin to use as they question the world they’ve been given.
👀 For fans of
The Girls
psychological fiction about coercion, belief, and control
isolated, atmospheric thrillers set in closed communities
Review of advance copy received from Author
I stayed up way too late reading this book, but once I started I just wanted to keep going to find out how the girls were (hopefully) going to find their way out of what is essentially a cult.
Sol is the leader of this “cult” and I found myself viscerally reacting to his manipulations of the girls. He finds girls who have been abandoned in some way and who need help. He then secludes them in the woods where he offers safety and a found family… as long as they give up their phones and any ties to their past, and take on the new names he has given them. It feels so unsettling and gross, because we know that these situations do happen in real life — how many cult documentaries are there?! It made me so angry to watch Sol use his various tactics to keep the girls under his control.
This is told in two POVs — Iris tells the story in the present, at Sol’s house in the woods where the girls are all staying. Then there’s Caela’s POV which is in the past, and tells the story of how she lost her father, ended up with a mother who never wanted her, and then makes her way to Sol, where he renames her. I felt so much for Caela in her flashbacks. We got to see what a special relationship she had with her dad, and how much he loved her. She also has two best friends, but when she’s forced to move in with her mom (who has a new husband and child) Caela ends up feeling distanced, and like her friends don’t really need her anymore. That’s such a difficult but relatable emotion that many of us had as teenagers.
I liked getting to know Iris & Rose in the “present” and Caela in the flashbacks. I would’ve loved to get more development of the other girls who live at Sol’s too. We do get some time with them, and interactions between the girls, but I would have appreciated a bit more of their backstories. I also would have liked maybe a bit more of the Sol manipulation time. Even though it’s very uncomfortable to read, I think it would’ve helped to explain why the girls all stayed with this adult man in the woods.
Spoiler time:
I had no idea that Caela and Iris were the same person! I only started clueing into this at the end when the leather jacket was mentioned. I thought that Caela was Rose, and that we were just meeting Sol at the same time that she was. There was the red lipstick that I hadn’t associated with Caela but I just overlooked that, and made it make sense in my head. I liked this twist though, because it definitely made me rethink the events and interactions.
Final thoughts:
I definitely enjoyed this book, even though the subject matter is darker. I liked getting to see the different ways that Rose and Iris responded to Sol and the things that he required of the girls. I would’ve loved to see a bit more of what the girls did after leaving, but I still liked the ending!
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours & Scholastic for the e-arc. All thoughts are my own and are freely given!
Sol is the leader of this “cult” and I found myself viscerally reacting to his manipulations of the girls. He finds girls who have been abandoned in some way and who need help. He then secludes them in the woods where he offers safety and a found family… as long as they give up their phones and any ties to their past, and take on the new names he has given them. It feels so unsettling and gross, because we know that these situations do happen in real life — how many cult documentaries are there?! It made me so angry to watch Sol use his various tactics to keep the girls under his control.
This is told in two POVs — Iris tells the story in the present, at Sol’s house in the woods where the girls are all staying. Then there’s Caela’s POV which is in the past, and tells the story of how she lost her father, ended up with a mother who never wanted her, and then makes her way to Sol, where he renames her. I felt so much for Caela in her flashbacks. We got to see what a special relationship she had with her dad, and how much he loved her. She also has two best friends, but when she’s forced to move in with her mom (who has a new husband and child) Caela ends up feeling distanced, and like her friends don’t really need her anymore. That’s such a difficult but relatable emotion that many of us had as teenagers.
I liked getting to know Iris & Rose in the “present” and Caela in the flashbacks. I would’ve loved to get more development of the other girls who live at Sol’s too. We do get some time with them, and interactions between the girls, but I would have appreciated a bit more of their backstories. I also would have liked maybe a bit more of the Sol manipulation time. Even though it’s very uncomfortable to read, I think it would’ve helped to explain why the girls all stayed with this adult man in the woods.
Spoiler time:
I had no idea that Caela and Iris were the same person! I only started clueing into this at the end when the leather jacket was mentioned. I thought that Caela was Rose, and that we were just meeting Sol at the same time that she was. There was the red lipstick that I hadn’t associated with Caela but I just overlooked that, and made it make sense in my head. I liked this twist though, because it definitely made me rethink the events and interactions.
Final thoughts:
I definitely enjoyed this book, even though the subject matter is darker. I liked getting to see the different ways that Rose and Iris responded to Sol and the things that he required of the girls. I would’ve loved to see a bit more of what the girls did after leaving, but I still liked the ending!
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours & Scholastic for the e-arc. All thoughts are my own and are freely given!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the opportunity to read and review this ebook.
Summary
Six girls live together in a cabin deep in the Kentucky woods with Sol, the man they believe saved them from the lives they left behind. Iris is completely loyal to him and grateful for the family she has found, but when a new girl named Rose arrives, everything begins to shift. As Iris and Rose grow closer, Iris starts questioning the life she has accepted and the man she thought she could trust.
My Review
Where Lost Girls Go is a YA book, but I need to say this right away because I was not expecting just how dark some of the themes would become. This story deals with vulnerable girls, control, loyalty, desperation, manipulation, and the dangerous ways someone can make a person believe they have been saved while slowly taking away their ability to question anything. I really enjoyed the cult aspect of the story because it created this constant uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong even when Iris could not fully see it herself.
Iris was such an interesting character to follow because her loyalty to Sol felt deeply tied to everything she had been through before arriving in the woods. She believes she owes him everything, and that made watching her relationship with Rose develop even more powerful. Rose brings questions into a place where questions are dangerous, and I loved seeing Iris slowly begin to look at her life differently. The story really made me think about girlhood, belonging, and how easily the need to feel safe can be used against someone.
And then there was a part of this book that gave me complete whiplash. I am not saying what happened because I refuse to ruin that experience for anyone, but I genuinely had one of those moments where I needed to mentally catch up with the story. It shifted how I was looking at things and made the darker pieces hit even harder. Did I mention this book is dark? Because yes, it absolutely is.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. The cult elements were one of my favorite parts, but I also appreciated that underneath the mystery and tension was a story about girls searching for safety, family, love, and somewhere to belong. Some of the themes were much heavier than I expected going into a YA novel, and that gave the story more depth for me. This was unsettling, emotional, and at times completely disorienting in the best way.
Would I Recommend?
Yes. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy darker YA thrillers, cult stories, complicated female relationships, psychological manipulation, secrets, and books that explore how vulnerable people can be controlled through promises of safety and belonging. Just do not go into this expecting a light YA mystery. This one has teeth, and that is exactly what made it work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the opportunity to read and review this ebook.
Summary
Six girls live together in a cabin deep in the Kentucky woods with Sol, the man they believe saved them from the lives they left behind. Iris is completely loyal to him and grateful for the family she has found, but when a new girl named Rose arrives, everything begins to shift. As Iris and Rose grow closer, Iris starts questioning the life she has accepted and the man she thought she could trust.
My Review
Where Lost Girls Go is a YA book, but I need to say this right away because I was not expecting just how dark some of the themes would become. This story deals with vulnerable girls, control, loyalty, desperation, manipulation, and the dangerous ways someone can make a person believe they have been saved while slowly taking away their ability to question anything. I really enjoyed the cult aspect of the story because it created this constant uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong even when Iris could not fully see it herself.
Iris was such an interesting character to follow because her loyalty to Sol felt deeply tied to everything she had been through before arriving in the woods. She believes she owes him everything, and that made watching her relationship with Rose develop even more powerful. Rose brings questions into a place where questions are dangerous, and I loved seeing Iris slowly begin to look at her life differently. The story really made me think about girlhood, belonging, and how easily the need to feel safe can be used against someone.
And then there was a part of this book that gave me complete whiplash. I am not saying what happened because I refuse to ruin that experience for anyone, but I genuinely had one of those moments where I needed to mentally catch up with the story. It shifted how I was looking at things and made the darker pieces hit even harder. Did I mention this book is dark? Because yes, it absolutely is.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. The cult elements were one of my favorite parts, but I also appreciated that underneath the mystery and tension was a story about girls searching for safety, family, love, and somewhere to belong. Some of the themes were much heavier than I expected going into a YA novel, and that gave the story more depth for me. This was unsettling, emotional, and at times completely disorienting in the best way.
Would I Recommend?
Yes. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy darker YA thrillers, cult stories, complicated female relationships, psychological manipulation, secrets, and books that explore how vulnerable people can be controlled through promises of safety and belonging. Just do not go into this expecting a light YA mystery. This one has teeth, and that is exactly what made it work for me.
November 24, 2025
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the arc!
Minor spoilers ahead.
This was another fast, intriguing read. We follow two POVs: Iris and Michaela, jumping back and forth in the timeline. In Michaela's timeline, we watch as she's forced to move in with her uncaring mother after the sudden death of her father. At the same time, from Iris' chapters, we explore a group of girls who live in a remote house with Sol, a man who "saved" them from hard situations. Each of the girls, Iris, Lily, Violet, Poppy, Zinnia, and the newcomer, Rose, have complicated pasts they're trying to escape.
As Rose adjusts to life with Sol, she and Iris get closer and closer, a fact that Sol doesn't quite approve of. Iris, who has been there for nearly a year, is starting her trials, a way to prove her devotion to the family, and as the tasks become increasingly more intense, she begins to question whether her blind loyalty is really such a good thing.
Michaela, or Caela, as she goes by, struggles to adjust to life with her mom and stepfather. Lonely, she begins to make poor choices to try to keep her only friend. These choices lead to her eventually being kicked out by her mother and stepfather. As the reader, we can quickly see where her story is headed as the two POVs start to intertwine.
I did like this book, but it definitely reads on the younger side of YA, despite the dark themes. I probably would've been very drawn to this at around 14 or 15. It is dark at points, but it never edges too far. It also does really remind me of The Cellar books, with all the characters having flower names and the general vibe.
I struggled to be really drawn into the story, as I don't think the backstories of the girls were fleshed out enough for me to believe they would leave everything they had to live with some random man who can barely provide for them. I wish that maybe the reasons for their devotion to Sol could have been developed more, because as the reader, I didn't really buy it.
I liked all of the girls for the most part, though I sometimes struggled to remember who was who, since only Rose and Iris get significant character development. The Marigold mystery was intriguing but a bit predictable. I did like Rose and Iris's relationship, though, and thought they were cute together.
I thought the ending was satisfying enough, though there were a few loose ends that I wish had been tied up a little better.
What really got me, and maybe this is just me being stupid (major spoiler warning), is that I had no idea that Iris was Caela. For some reason, I definitely thought Rose was her, so when that was revealed, I was shocked! That was a good twist, even if it was unintentional.
Overall, this was not a bad book. I did enjoy it and liked how fast-paced it was. The two POVs were interesting, though I was more invested in Iris'. I just wish it had gone further!
3 stars
Minor spoilers ahead.
This was another fast, intriguing read. We follow two POVs: Iris and Michaela, jumping back and forth in the timeline. In Michaela's timeline, we watch as she's forced to move in with her uncaring mother after the sudden death of her father. At the same time, from Iris' chapters, we explore a group of girls who live in a remote house with Sol, a man who "saved" them from hard situations. Each of the girls, Iris, Lily, Violet, Poppy, Zinnia, and the newcomer, Rose, have complicated pasts they're trying to escape.
As Rose adjusts to life with Sol, she and Iris get closer and closer, a fact that Sol doesn't quite approve of. Iris, who has been there for nearly a year, is starting her trials, a way to prove her devotion to the family, and as the tasks become increasingly more intense, she begins to question whether her blind loyalty is really such a good thing.
Michaela, or Caela, as she goes by, struggles to adjust to life with her mom and stepfather. Lonely, she begins to make poor choices to try to keep her only friend. These choices lead to her eventually being kicked out by her mother and stepfather. As the reader, we can quickly see where her story is headed as the two POVs start to intertwine.
I did like this book, but it definitely reads on the younger side of YA, despite the dark themes. I probably would've been very drawn to this at around 14 or 15. It is dark at points, but it never edges too far. It also does really remind me of The Cellar books, with all the characters having flower names and the general vibe.
I struggled to be really drawn into the story, as I don't think the backstories of the girls were fleshed out enough for me to believe they would leave everything they had to live with some random man who can barely provide for them. I wish that maybe the reasons for their devotion to Sol could have been developed more, because as the reader, I didn't really buy it.
I liked all of the girls for the most part, though I sometimes struggled to remember who was who, since only Rose and Iris get significant character development. The Marigold mystery was intriguing but a bit predictable. I did like Rose and Iris's relationship, though, and thought they were cute together.
I thought the ending was satisfying enough, though there were a few loose ends that I wish had been tied up a little better.
What really got me, and maybe this is just me being stupid (major spoiler warning), is that I had no idea that Iris was Caela. For some reason, I definitely thought Rose was her, so when that was revealed, I was shocked! That was a good twist, even if it was unintentional.
Overall, this was not a bad book. I did enjoy it and liked how fast-paced it was. The two POVs were interesting, though I was more invested in Iris'. I just wish it had gone further!
3 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is about how predators build power and how girls take it back.
📚 Where Lost Girls Go by Kody Keplinger
Genre: YA contemporary
Vibes: cult psychology, isolated cabin in the woods, trauma bonding, sapphic slow burn, survival
Six girls live in a cabin deep in the Kentucky woods with a man named Sol who promises safety, salvation, and a new beginning. They do not talk about who they were before. They have flower names now. They have each other.
And they have him.
What makes this hit so hard:
🌲 A chillingly realistic cult dynamic built on manipulation, loyalty tests, and isolation
🌸 Flower named girls whose fragility and resilience mirror each other
🧠 Psychological grooming that escalates in subtle, insidious ways
🩸 Real stakes in the final act that do not pull punches
💗 A tender, slow blooming sapphic romance that becomes a catalyst for awakening
There is no graphic sexual abuse, but the control Sol exerts is deeply disturbing. He withholds food. He withholds information. He pushes Iris into increasingly dangerous tasks to prove her loyalty. The manipulation is textbook and terrifyingly believable.
The dual perspectives of Iris in first person and Caela in third person add depth to the theme of control. What it means to lose it. What it means to reclaim it.
The emotional core is the girls themselves. Their bond feels real. Messy. Forged from grief and abandonment. When Rose arrives and her connection with Iris begins to grow, it is soft and hesitant and beautifully done. That relationship becomes the crack in Sol’s carefully constructed world.
Flashbacks make it painfully clear how vulnerable Iris was long before Sol found her. You ache for her. You understand why she stayed. And that makes her eventual awakening even more powerful.
I would have loved slightly more development for a few side characters and maybe an epilogue to sit with the aftermath. But the ending still lands. Especially the moment where Iris chooses herself.
If you want YA that does not sugarcoat trauma, that explores cult psychology with nuance, and that balances darkness with resilience and hope, this is one to watch.
💬 Do you gravitate toward YA that pushes into darker psychological territory, or do you prefer lighter coming of age stories?
#KodyKeplinger #WhereLostGirlsGo #YAFiction #ContemporaryYA #Bookstagram
📚 Where Lost Girls Go by Kody Keplinger
Genre: YA contemporary
Vibes: cult psychology, isolated cabin in the woods, trauma bonding, sapphic slow burn, survival
Six girls live in a cabin deep in the Kentucky woods with a man named Sol who promises safety, salvation, and a new beginning. They do not talk about who they were before. They have flower names now. They have each other.
And they have him.
What makes this hit so hard:
🌲 A chillingly realistic cult dynamic built on manipulation, loyalty tests, and isolation
🌸 Flower named girls whose fragility and resilience mirror each other
🧠 Psychological grooming that escalates in subtle, insidious ways
🩸 Real stakes in the final act that do not pull punches
💗 A tender, slow blooming sapphic romance that becomes a catalyst for awakening
There is no graphic sexual abuse, but the control Sol exerts is deeply disturbing. He withholds food. He withholds information. He pushes Iris into increasingly dangerous tasks to prove her loyalty. The manipulation is textbook and terrifyingly believable.
The dual perspectives of Iris in first person and Caela in third person add depth to the theme of control. What it means to lose it. What it means to reclaim it.
The emotional core is the girls themselves. Their bond feels real. Messy. Forged from grief and abandonment. When Rose arrives and her connection with Iris begins to grow, it is soft and hesitant and beautifully done. That relationship becomes the crack in Sol’s carefully constructed world.
Flashbacks make it painfully clear how vulnerable Iris was long before Sol found her. You ache for her. You understand why she stayed. And that makes her eventual awakening even more powerful.
I would have loved slightly more development for a few side characters and maybe an epilogue to sit with the aftermath. But the ending still lands. Especially the moment where Iris chooses herself.
If you want YA that does not sugarcoat trauma, that explores cult psychology with nuance, and that balances darkness with resilience and hope, this is one to watch.
💬 Do you gravitate toward YA that pushes into darker psychological territory, or do you prefer lighter coming of age stories?
#KodyKeplinger #WhereLostGirlsGo #YAFiction #ContemporaryYA #Bookstagram
June 12, 2026
A YA thriller from two perspectives, Iris and Caela, focused on a small, remote cabin that becomes home to six lost girls and a not so benign benefactor named Sol.
Kody Keplinger begins her novel with Caela/Michaela’s story told in third person and revealing a happy, healthy high school junior, loved by her single father and two best friends. But a fatal motorcycle accident takes her father’s life, sends Caela to live with the mother who abandoned her as a child and doesn’t want a teenaged, gay daughter to complicate the life she has made with a new husband and son. Enter Iris and the second perspective. Through Iris, readers will see into the cabin and the family of seven. Clearly, Sol is established as a type of cult leader/dysfunctional father figure who is determined help each girl bloom into the flower she is supposed to become. The garden and flower metaphors flow throughout and with the arrival of Rose, weeds/doubt begins to grow.
Readers in grades 8 and up with be engrossed in Iris and Caela’s stories and are certain to wonder how Sol could possibly convince six intelligent women to stay in such confinement, live with such a rigid set of rules and submit to so many regular “Growth Sessions” with a man who clearly was more interested in their servitude than their independence. Hopefully this intrigue will spark curiosity into this type of manipulation and librarians should consider having Candace Fleming’s non-fiction Death in the Jungle (an in-depth look at Jim Jones and his so-called “church”) and Tiffany D Jackson’s YA novel The Scammer for those who express an interest in knowing more.
Recommended for grade 8 and up.
*Profanity: none
*Sexual content: none
*Violence: one accidental death, an act of arson, one proposed killing, and a knife attack in self-defense
*Representation: physical and cultural descriptions of the main characters are few but Sol and several of the girls are White and one other is darker skinned; all the girls come from dysfunctional families but specific details are sparse except for Caela’s background
*LBGTQ+: Caela comes out as a lesbian and uses that term as well as gay and queer to describe herself; At Sol’s cabin, Iris and Rose are attracted to one another, share one kiss and their budding relationship is key to several pivotal decisions.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss and Scholastic.
Kody Keplinger begins her novel with Caela/Michaela’s story told in third person and revealing a happy, healthy high school junior, loved by her single father and two best friends. But a fatal motorcycle accident takes her father’s life, sends Caela to live with the mother who abandoned her as a child and doesn’t want a teenaged, gay daughter to complicate the life she has made with a new husband and son. Enter Iris and the second perspective. Through Iris, readers will see into the cabin and the family of seven. Clearly, Sol is established as a type of cult leader/dysfunctional father figure who is determined help each girl bloom into the flower she is supposed to become. The garden and flower metaphors flow throughout and with the arrival of Rose, weeds/doubt begins to grow.
Readers in grades 8 and up with be engrossed in Iris and Caela’s stories and are certain to wonder how Sol could possibly convince six intelligent women to stay in such confinement, live with such a rigid set of rules and submit to so many regular “Growth Sessions” with a man who clearly was more interested in their servitude than their independence. Hopefully this intrigue will spark curiosity into this type of manipulation and librarians should consider having Candace Fleming’s non-fiction Death in the Jungle (an in-depth look at Jim Jones and his so-called “church”) and Tiffany D Jackson’s YA novel The Scammer for those who express an interest in knowing more.
Recommended for grade 8 and up.
*Profanity: none
*Sexual content: none
*Violence: one accidental death, an act of arson, one proposed killing, and a knife attack in self-defense
*Representation: physical and cultural descriptions of the main characters are few but Sol and several of the girls are White and one other is darker skinned; all the girls come from dysfunctional families but specific details are sparse except for Caela’s background
*LBGTQ+: Caela comes out as a lesbian and uses that term as well as gay and queer to describe herself; At Sol’s cabin, Iris and Rose are attracted to one another, share one kiss and their budding relationship is key to several pivotal decisions.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss and Scholastic.
July 12, 2026
3.5 stars
The story follows two POVs, most significantly Iris who has lived with Sol in the mountains with the other girls for a year now. Her induction to Sol’s way of life almost complete once she passes his trials to prove her loyalty. And then we have Caela. Her pov chapters are much fewer and set up how a young smart loved girl can end up falling into a cult.
I really loved Caela’s chapters. It was just heartbreaking how her story tumbles. All she really wants is to be loved and seen and accepted but when she loses that, she becomes desperate to get it from anywhere she can and then just looking for someone to help her survive. It’s a slow unravelling of how someone can end up falling into something toxic, showing what happens when a person takes vulnerability and twists it to their own purposes.
Mostly, we follow Iris and her life at the Hollow as a new girl joins. Iris is tested with Sol’s trials but as she struggles, Sol pushes her harder, using his knowledge of her past, her fears and her doubts to keep her under his control. And Iris knows him as the man who saved her when there was no one else and wants to do what she can to make him happy. It was interesting to see this unfold and to see things escalate. Rose played an important role in slowly breaking Iris’s view of Sol as she discovers some darker truths about their situation. This romance aspect was minimal and more about connection that any romance, working well within the confines of the story.
It’s a chilling and realistic set up: a group of girls, traumatised and isolated, in need of help taken in by a man who promises salvation. His psychological grooming and manipulation makes them dependent on him and gives him control over them. He even choose new names for them based of flowers and calls himself the sun that helps them grow. It’s disturbing and insidious but these darker themes are tackled well and kept YA. The emotional moments hit and slowly Iris realises she has to make a choice about who she wants to be and what she’s willing to do for that person. The ending was high stakes and impactful, with a satisfying conclusion.
Overall it was an enjoyable character driven ya thriller that explores what drives people to cults, what makes them want to stay, and what you might do for the people you love. It delivered on what I was expecting/ hoping for.
Thank you to scholastic for this review copy. All thoughts are my own.
The story follows two POVs, most significantly Iris who has lived with Sol in the mountains with the other girls for a year now. Her induction to Sol’s way of life almost complete once she passes his trials to prove her loyalty. And then we have Caela. Her pov chapters are much fewer and set up how a young smart loved girl can end up falling into a cult.
I really loved Caela’s chapters. It was just heartbreaking how her story tumbles. All she really wants is to be loved and seen and accepted but when she loses that, she becomes desperate to get it from anywhere she can and then just looking for someone to help her survive. It’s a slow unravelling of how someone can end up falling into something toxic, showing what happens when a person takes vulnerability and twists it to their own purposes.
Mostly, we follow Iris and her life at the Hollow as a new girl joins. Iris is tested with Sol’s trials but as she struggles, Sol pushes her harder, using his knowledge of her past, her fears and her doubts to keep her under his control. And Iris knows him as the man who saved her when there was no one else and wants to do what she can to make him happy. It was interesting to see this unfold and to see things escalate. Rose played an important role in slowly breaking Iris’s view of Sol as she discovers some darker truths about their situation. This romance aspect was minimal and more about connection that any romance, working well within the confines of the story.
It’s a chilling and realistic set up: a group of girls, traumatised and isolated, in need of help taken in by a man who promises salvation. His psychological grooming and manipulation makes them dependent on him and gives him control over them. He even choose new names for them based of flowers and calls himself the sun that helps them grow. It’s disturbing and insidious but these darker themes are tackled well and kept YA. The emotional moments hit and slowly Iris realises she has to make a choice about who she wants to be and what she’s willing to do for that person. The ending was high stakes and impactful, with a satisfying conclusion.
Overall it was an enjoyable character driven ya thriller that explores what drives people to cults, what makes them want to stay, and what you might do for the people you love. It delivered on what I was expecting/ hoping for.
Thank you to scholastic for this review copy. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Pure and intimately emotional story of a girl who’s lost her way after her father’s death. Iris is swept away into a cabin in the woods for her own protection by a man named Sol along with a handful of other young girls who are her sisters. Loyalty is everything in the garden and your word is your bond. A new girl named Rose arrives and has Iris questioning the garden’s practices and rules and everything Iris has been taught to believe. Will Iris follow the herd or break the mold and let her resilience shine in this sapphic, thriller mystery?
5 stars
Young adult me would have clung to this tale on the same shelves as Ellen Hopkins, Gayle Foreman and Margaret Peterson Haddix. The change in perspective keeps the reader addicted and on their toes unsure of the timeline or who is who all in good fun. You receive just enough information to keep you guessing and there are moments when the breadcrumbs you are given finally tick!
I had a moment while reading and thought what does the book cover have to do with the story? And right after that our poor girl Iris goes through her first trial. I absolutely adored the imagery of all the various flowers on the front with the cut-off lock of a precious braid. The floral garden metaphor was a great full circle moment and really captured me.
I would definitely recommend this book. The themes are dark with elements of manipulation, social isolation, and tough unsupportive family home but these are important examples to show the difference between right and wrong and how easily you can slip into something unhealthy when you’re desperate. You can quickly realize that not everyone is as they seem and not everyone’s intentions are what is best for you.
This was fast paced and so much fun. I finished it in 2 days!
Thank you so much to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for granting my wish for the opportunity to read Where Lost Girls Go early and give my honest opinion.
🌹🌷🌻🪻🫶
#KodyKeplinger #WhereLostGirlsGo #NetGalley
5 stars
Young adult me would have clung to this tale on the same shelves as Ellen Hopkins, Gayle Foreman and Margaret Peterson Haddix. The change in perspective keeps the reader addicted and on their toes unsure of the timeline or who is who all in good fun. You receive just enough information to keep you guessing and there are moments when the breadcrumbs you are given finally tick!
I had a moment while reading and thought what does the book cover have to do with the story? And right after that our poor girl Iris goes through her first trial. I absolutely adored the imagery of all the various flowers on the front with the cut-off lock of a precious braid. The floral garden metaphor was a great full circle moment and really captured me.
I would definitely recommend this book. The themes are dark with elements of manipulation, social isolation, and tough unsupportive family home but these are important examples to show the difference between right and wrong and how easily you can slip into something unhealthy when you’re desperate. You can quickly realize that not everyone is as they seem and not everyone’s intentions are what is best for you.
This was fast paced and so much fun. I finished it in 2 days!
Thank you so much to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for granting my wish for the opportunity to read Where Lost Girls Go early and give my honest opinion.
🌹🌷🌻🪻🫶
#KodyKeplinger #WhereLostGirlsGo #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I've been reading some GREAT YA books recently, which has been a breath of fresh air. I reallllly enjoyed this one. I started it in the wee hours of the morning and quickly got into the spooky vibe. It's atmospheric given both the setting is mainly rural Kentucky in a secluded cabin, but also the whole mood of the book. Early on we meet Caela who was essentially abandoned by her mother, but was very close with her father who suddenly passed (on her birthday no less...oof). She suffers through a funeral her estranged grandparents wanted, but definitely was not representative of what her dad would have wanted. Off she goes to Kentucky with her mom and stepdad, who try to "pray the gay" out of her. Not only that, but they don't allow her to be herself in any form including insisting on using her given name, Michaela.
The story bounces between the remote cabin and Caela's story. The remote cabin is where several girls (mostly underage) live with a 36-year old Sol who "saves" them and "christens" them with a new floral name and seeks to have the girls become loyal only to him. The underage comment might have you wondering like I did what territory this book with delve into, but it did not. Sol messes with the girls psychologically.
I liked the cult-like vibes and it paired nicely with some documentaries in which I've been indulging. Keplinger kept it nicely at a YA level that an adult can also appreciate. A clear picture was painted of how a person that feels abandoned by everyone can latch onto someone who pays attention to them. It didn't take long for a strong loyalty to be established even when it conflicted with what is morally right. The book is a slow-burn, but goes at a fast pace, which might sound confusing. It worked really well for me as some slow-burns drag on a little too much. It definitely fits the psychological thriller/horror combo I've been loving lately.
Thank you to Scholastic and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story bounces between the remote cabin and Caela's story. The remote cabin is where several girls (mostly underage) live with a 36-year old Sol who "saves" them and "christens" them with a new floral name and seeks to have the girls become loyal only to him. The underage comment might have you wondering like I did what territory this book with delve into, but it did not. Sol messes with the girls psychologically.
I liked the cult-like vibes and it paired nicely with some documentaries in which I've been indulging. Keplinger kept it nicely at a YA level that an adult can also appreciate. A clear picture was painted of how a person that feels abandoned by everyone can latch onto someone who pays attention to them. It didn't take long for a strong loyalty to be established even when it conflicted with what is morally right. The book is a slow-burn, but goes at a fast pace, which might sound confusing. It worked really well for me as some slow-burns drag on a little too much. It definitely fits the psychological thriller/horror combo I've been loving lately.
Thank you to Scholastic and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What happens when your father dies and your mother doesn't want you? What happens when your friends stop talking to you? What happens when you are kicked out onto the street with no food, no money and no cell phone? Imagine being a teenage girl with no where to turn, when a savior shows up to solve all your problems. What would you do? Where would you go if you were lost?
If you ever wondered how young girls are abducted or people join a cult without understanding it's a cult, then read this book and you'll quickly see how impressionable teens can been when someone says the right thing at the right time in the midst of tragedy. As you follow Iris and Michaela's story through the novel you will understand how hurtful adults can be and why some teens struggle with their identity.
If you enjoy YA that has plot twists and character growth, you will enjoy this. Some other aspects include LGBTQIA romance, murder, and secrets. The lost of a parent is also a major plot point.
I enjoyed the plot twist in the book and I could resonate with the main character and how she was simply misunderstood by those who should have loved her. Losing a parent can be hard, and Michaela was never given the space to grieve. I did find some parts to be a bit repetitive in reactions and conversation, but some of that was meant to build character arcs so I looked past it.
But major ick factor for me...Sol. Like who in the world would not find it super weird that he's a 30 something male living with five teenage girls - RED FLAGS! I wanted more justice for him at the end, so the ending was not as final as I hoped for. I'm glad the girls found some peace, but for me...not enough resolution.
***NetGalley ARC Review***
If you ever wondered how young girls are abducted or people join a cult without understanding it's a cult, then read this book and you'll quickly see how impressionable teens can been when someone says the right thing at the right time in the midst of tragedy. As you follow Iris and Michaela's story through the novel you will understand how hurtful adults can be and why some teens struggle with their identity.
If you enjoy YA that has plot twists and character growth, you will enjoy this. Some other aspects include LGBTQIA romance, murder, and secrets. The lost of a parent is also a major plot point.
I enjoyed the plot twist in the book and I could resonate with the main character and how she was simply misunderstood by those who should have loved her. Losing a parent can be hard, and Michaela was never given the space to grieve. I did find some parts to be a bit repetitive in reactions and conversation, but some of that was meant to build character arcs so I looked past it.
But major ick factor for me...Sol. Like who in the world would not find it super weird that he's a 30 something male living with five teenage girls - RED FLAGS! I wanted more justice for him at the end, so the ending was not as final as I hoped for. I'm glad the girls found some peace, but for me...not enough resolution.
***NetGalley ARC Review***
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧.25/5
Quick Reasons: this book will haunt you; an expose on how deeply entangled lives become... and how easy to pull the strings it can be when desperation is involved; breakneck pacing with a gut wrenching finale
Huge thanks to Kody Keplinger, I Read YA, and Storygram Tours for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.
There is a quiet, hopeless desperation to this read from the very first page that hooked its claws deeply under my skin and refused to let go until the close of the spine. Juxtaposing current day events with prior trauma only added layers to the story that unfolds, detailing vividly how easy it is for the decisions you've made to enmesh you in a pit you feel you're unable to dig yourself out of. How easily the tugging of a string here, the manipulation of a word there, can lead to ghastly and grisly moments that still, despite themselves, somehow seem as if they're for the better.
These characters are raw and vivid and haunting, dogging readers from every unturned page. That the secrets take SO LONG to finally uncover is only testament to the craft and care of the writing-- how deep the feeling of belonging can smudge, how much like kinship being lonely together can feel. This is a breakneck paced read that only slows once you've reached the last word, a lingering haunting that keeps you wondering where the characters wound up, what the future is yet to bring.
I highly recommend this to lovers of small town secrets, true crime documentaries, and those who often wonder just how it is so many people could be fooled so easily. Welcome to the garden, Penguins; will you pluck the weeds, or let them grow?
Quick Reasons: this book will haunt you; an expose on how deeply entangled lives become... and how easy to pull the strings it can be when desperation is involved; breakneck pacing with a gut wrenching finale
Huge thanks to Kody Keplinger, I Read YA, and Storygram Tours for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.
There is a quiet, hopeless desperation to this read from the very first page that hooked its claws deeply under my skin and refused to let go until the close of the spine. Juxtaposing current day events with prior trauma only added layers to the story that unfolds, detailing vividly how easy it is for the decisions you've made to enmesh you in a pit you feel you're unable to dig yourself out of. How easily the tugging of a string here, the manipulation of a word there, can lead to ghastly and grisly moments that still, despite themselves, somehow seem as if they're for the better.
These characters are raw and vivid and haunting, dogging readers from every unturned page. That the secrets take SO LONG to finally uncover is only testament to the craft and care of the writing-- how deep the feeling of belonging can smudge, how much like kinship being lonely together can feel. This is a breakneck paced read that only slows once you've reached the last word, a lingering haunting that keeps you wondering where the characters wound up, what the future is yet to bring.
I highly recommend this to lovers of small town secrets, true crime documentaries, and those who often wonder just how it is so many people could be fooled so easily. Welcome to the garden, Penguins; will you pluck the weeds, or let them grow?
Review of advance copy
This book ended up being a three star read for me. It was a really fun, encapsulating read. Every time I picked up the book, I ended up losing track of time and stayed up a little too late. However, as soon as I forced myself away from the story, I stopped thinking of the characters.
The way the book was written was plain, but not boring. The story and characters easily drew me in and dropped me into their world.
The plot line of Where Lost Girls Go was, unfortunately, predictable to me. Although I remained enthralled while reading, which the double POV and the non-linear timeline assisted with, I felt the plot was easy to guess and not interesting enough to become a five star read for me. The story also ended way too abruptly for me and lacked some pacing and explanations.
The characters really forced me into the story. Caela’s character was lovable and understandable. I did not relate to her, but I could follow her. Iris was likable enough, but flat and an unmemorable heroine. The rest of the girls were easy to root for and understandable to various levels. I really did like the community the girls created and the love for each other that was visible. Sol was my least favorite character and a horrible plot hole. The book never explained him and he was really undeveloped.
Overall, the book fulfilled the purpose of a thriller for me. It was exciting (not scary), enthralling, and enjoyable. It also fulfilled the author’s purpose in explaining how ordinary people end up in these situations. However, it lacked some levels of depth that I would appreciate in order to rate the book higher.
Thank you to excelsior bay books for allowing me to review this ARC for their store!
The way the book was written was plain, but not boring. The story and characters easily drew me in and dropped me into their world.
The plot line of Where Lost Girls Go was, unfortunately, predictable to me. Although I remained enthralled while reading, which the double POV and the non-linear timeline assisted with, I felt the plot was easy to guess and not interesting enough to become a five star read for me. The story also ended way too abruptly for me and lacked some pacing and explanations.
The characters really forced me into the story. Caela’s character was lovable and understandable. I did not relate to her, but I could follow her. Iris was likable enough, but flat and an unmemorable heroine. The rest of the girls were easy to root for and understandable to various levels. I really did like the community the girls created and the love for each other that was visible. Sol was my least favorite character and a horrible plot hole. The book never explained him and he was really undeveloped.
Overall, the book fulfilled the purpose of a thriller for me. It was exciting (not scary), enthralling, and enjoyable. It also fulfilled the author’s purpose in explaining how ordinary people end up in these situations. However, it lacked some levels of depth that I would appreciate in order to rate the book higher.
Thank you to excelsior bay books for allowing me to review this ARC for their store!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this ARC!
The moment I read the description of Where Lost Girls Go, I knew I had to read it. Cult vibes? Check. Queer representation? Check. More mature themes in a YA novel? Check.
We are blessed with two POV's throughout the book. Iris in first person and Caela in third person. I won't lie, I was a little thrown off with Caela's POV's at first, which doesn't normally happen to me, but it was definitely important to the story to hide certain aspects of their identity. Once I caught on, I was fine. You may understand more once you read it.
That said, I absolutely loved the story line. A group of traumatized, mostly teenage girls, living with an older man in an isolated cabin with huge culty vibes. This is definitely a darker, edgier story than you usually see in YA and therefore I'd recommend it for older readers, not younger. Beautifully written, this story covers grief, manipulation, trauma bonding and predatory behavior. I was very thankful that I was wrong about Sol's intentions with the girls and where it might have gone. The twist did still surprise me a bit but it absolutely made sense.
The sapphic romance element was done beautifully and tastefully, not out of place as often happens with YA novels. There is also some violence throughout the story but it's not the most graphic.
What I loved most was the absolute strength and resilience that the author gave these female characters. Something that we don't see enough of, especially in YA books.
I fully recommend Where Lost Girls Go and I hope you love it as much as I did.
The moment I read the description of Where Lost Girls Go, I knew I had to read it. Cult vibes? Check. Queer representation? Check. More mature themes in a YA novel? Check.
We are blessed with two POV's throughout the book. Iris in first person and Caela in third person. I won't lie, I was a little thrown off with Caela's POV's at first, which doesn't normally happen to me, but it was definitely important to the story to hide certain aspects of their identity. Once I caught on, I was fine. You may understand more once you read it.
That said, I absolutely loved the story line. A group of traumatized, mostly teenage girls, living with an older man in an isolated cabin with huge culty vibes. This is definitely a darker, edgier story than you usually see in YA and therefore I'd recommend it for older readers, not younger. Beautifully written, this story covers grief, manipulation, trauma bonding and predatory behavior. I was very thankful that I was wrong about Sol's intentions with the girls and where it might have gone. The twist did still surprise me a bit but it absolutely made sense.
The sapphic romance element was done beautifully and tastefully, not out of place as often happens with YA novels. There is also some violence throughout the story but it's not the most graphic.
What I loved most was the absolute strength and resilience that the author gave these female characters. Something that we don't see enough of, especially in YA books.
I fully recommend Where Lost Girls Go and I hope you love it as much as I did.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If a mysterious man invites you to live in a secluded cabin in the woods with five other girls, please blink twice and run the other way! 🚩🌲👇
I just wrapped up Where Lost Girls Go by Kody Keplinger, and wow, my suspense-loving heart is still beating fast. Known for her incredible contemporary stories, Keplinger has swerved completely into a dark, psychological thriller territory here, and she absolutely nailed it.
The story follows Iris, who lives deep in the Kentucky woods with her sisters and Sol, the man who saved them all from their dark pasts. The golden rule? Absolute loyalty to Sol. Everything is blissful and cozy until a new girl named Rose arrives and starts poking holes in their perfect reality. Suddenly, Iris is forced to question everything about the man who rescued her.
This book is an absolute masterclass in tension. It explores girlhood, power dynamics, and the desperation of wanting to belong in a way that feels incredibly eerie but impossible to put down. It gives major cult-thriller vibes, and watching Iris slowly wake up to the reality of her situation had me turning pages late into the night.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller to devour in one sitting this summer, you need to add this to your shelves immediately.
✨️Thank you, Storygram Tours, Netgalley, IReadYA, and Kody Keplinger, for sharing Where Lost Girls Go with me!
I just wrapped up Where Lost Girls Go by Kody Keplinger, and wow, my suspense-loving heart is still beating fast. Known for her incredible contemporary stories, Keplinger has swerved completely into a dark, psychological thriller territory here, and she absolutely nailed it.
The story follows Iris, who lives deep in the Kentucky woods with her sisters and Sol, the man who saved them all from their dark pasts. The golden rule? Absolute loyalty to Sol. Everything is blissful and cozy until a new girl named Rose arrives and starts poking holes in their perfect reality. Suddenly, Iris is forced to question everything about the man who rescued her.
This book is an absolute masterclass in tension. It explores girlhood, power dynamics, and the desperation of wanting to belong in a way that feels incredibly eerie but impossible to put down. It gives major cult-thriller vibes, and watching Iris slowly wake up to the reality of her situation had me turning pages late into the night.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller to devour in one sitting this summer, you need to add this to your shelves immediately.
✨️Thank you, Storygram Tours, Netgalley, IReadYA, and Kody Keplinger, for sharing Where Lost Girls Go with me!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was hooked from the very first page to the very last. Where Lost Girls Go is the kind of thriller that grabs your attention immediately and never lets go. Every chapter left me wanting just one more, and I genuinely could not put it down.
The story follows Iris, one of five girls living in an isolated cabin in the Kentucky mountains under the care of Sol, the man they believe rescued them from their pasts. When a new girl arrives and begins questioning their way of life, Iris starts to realize that not everything is as it seems.
The atmosphere is incredibly unsettling, with just the right amount of low key cult vibes that keep you questioning everyone's motives. The slow unraveling of secrets, combined with the psychological tension, made this such an addictive read. I loved how the mystery unfolded naturally, revealing layer after layer without ever feeling predictable.
Beyond being a gripping thriller, this is also a thoughtful story about girlhood, belonging, manipulation, loyalty, and the desperate need to feel safe. The emotional depth made me care about the characters just as much as I cared about uncovering the truth.
If you love YA thrillers with isolated settings, creepy cult-like dynamics, found family, and constant suspense, I highly recommend picking this one up. This was an easy five-star read for me, and I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time.
Thank you to Scholastic for providing me with a gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.
The story follows Iris, one of five girls living in an isolated cabin in the Kentucky mountains under the care of Sol, the man they believe rescued them from their pasts. When a new girl arrives and begins questioning their way of life, Iris starts to realize that not everything is as it seems.
The atmosphere is incredibly unsettling, with just the right amount of low key cult vibes that keep you questioning everyone's motives. The slow unraveling of secrets, combined with the psychological tension, made this such an addictive read. I loved how the mystery unfolded naturally, revealing layer after layer without ever feeling predictable.
Beyond being a gripping thriller, this is also a thoughtful story about girlhood, belonging, manipulation, loyalty, and the desperate need to feel safe. The emotional depth made me care about the characters just as much as I cared about uncovering the truth.
If you love YA thrillers with isolated settings, creepy cult-like dynamics, found family, and constant suspense, I highly recommend picking this one up. This was an easy five-star read for me, and I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time.
Thank you to Scholastic for providing me with a gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was fantastic. I read it in a day. I didn't want to put it down.
I'm a high school librarian. I've been forced to start reading books through the lens of book banners, since I live in a very ban happy county. Over 600 books and counting and our school board is so proud to be "protecting" our children from literature. This is the kind of book a book banner would love to remove from the shelves. But not because it has swearing, sex, drinking, drug use, or graphic violence. It doesn't have any of those things. It's about a girl whose life changes overnight. She goes from living in a loving, stable home, to having her whole life uprooted through no fault of her own. Conversely, we also see the story of Iris. A girl who has fought to put her life back together with the help of a band of misfits. But this wouldn't be a story if there wasn't trouble in paradise. It's also a story about nonsexual grooming. It's a story about adults trying to convince kids to do the wrong thing and then the kids have to figure out what right and wrong really is. It's a story about loyalty and what it looks like. But the book banners won't like a story about young women learning to use their voice against a charismatic, controlling man who just wants to help a ragtag group of teenage girls. Nope. And that my friends, is exactly why you should read it.
I'm a high school librarian. I've been forced to start reading books through the lens of book banners, since I live in a very ban happy county. Over 600 books and counting and our school board is so proud to be "protecting" our children from literature. This is the kind of book a book banner would love to remove from the shelves. But not because it has swearing, sex, drinking, drug use, or graphic violence. It doesn't have any of those things. It's about a girl whose life changes overnight. She goes from living in a loving, stable home, to having her whole life uprooted through no fault of her own. Conversely, we also see the story of Iris. A girl who has fought to put her life back together with the help of a band of misfits. But this wouldn't be a story if there wasn't trouble in paradise. It's also a story about nonsexual grooming. It's a story about adults trying to convince kids to do the wrong thing and then the kids have to figure out what right and wrong really is. It's a story about loyalty and what it looks like. But the book banners won't like a story about young women learning to use their voice against a charismatic, controlling man who just wants to help a ragtag group of teenage girls. Nope. And that my friends, is exactly why you should read it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Overall, Where Lost Girls Go was a very intriguing story that kept me constantly guessing what would happen next. The narrative is told through two perspectives, Caela and Iris, which adds both depth and tension as the story unfolds. Nestled deep in the mountains of rural Kentucky, the isolated cabin setting creates an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere. I appreciated the way in which the book explores the themes of cult psychology, trauma bonding, survival, and coming-of-age vulnerability. A group of mostly underage girls, each carrying trauma or a sense of displacement, is brought to an isolated cabin, where their pasts are left unspoken. In the absence of outside connection, they form a tight, almost familial bond rooted in shared grief and abandonment. This “found family,” however, exists under Sol's control, introducing a disturbing layer of manipulation and isolation that feels strikingly realistic in its portrayal of cult dynamics. The annual trials each girl must endure heighten the tension, revealing the lengths they are willing to go for acceptance, belonging, and survival. This story offers a heartbreakingly honest look at how predators build power, while also celebrating girlhood and resilience. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was pleased to wish for this via NetGalley and actually get a copy. I love a good cult story, and mixed with the YA and thriller aspects I knew it would be up my alley.
It was compelling and kept me intrigued from the start. The change in POV was jarring at first but I quickly figured out what was going on there, which made it more interesting to follow. I would have liked a bit more character development for the other girls; they were all told to forget their pasts, so I understand why it wasn't detailed, but I do think it could have been impactful. It would have made it easier to understand, too, why they were so drawn to Sol.
On that note, I also wanted to understand more about Sol's situation. I enjoyed the brief explanations of his background we got, but what exactly was his end game? I appreciated that there wasn't sexual abuse (I don't think that's a spoiler), but besides control, what did he get out of this? What were his plans, especially since he knew people were onto him?
The end felt too fast, with everything suddenly happening at once. There were some open-ended questions remaining, but I think that works okay for this type of story. I wouldn't have minded an epilogue or something to tie things up, though.
(Also, the joy of being a 40-year-old YA reader: the ~ creepy old dude ~ in the story is 36, lol)
It was compelling and kept me intrigued from the start. The change in POV was jarring at first but I quickly figured out what was going on there, which made it more interesting to follow. I would have liked a bit more character development for the other girls; they were all told to forget their pasts, so I understand why it wasn't detailed, but I do think it could have been impactful. It would have made it easier to understand, too, why they were so drawn to Sol.
On that note, I also wanted to understand more about Sol's situation. I enjoyed the brief explanations of his background we got, but what exactly was his end game? I appreciated that there wasn't sexual abuse (I don't think that's a spoiler), but besides control, what did he get out of this? What were his plans, especially since he knew people were onto him?
The end felt too fast, with everything suddenly happening at once. There were some open-ended questions remaining, but I think that works okay for this type of story. I wouldn't have minded an epilogue or something to tie things up, though.
(Also, the joy of being a 40-year-old YA reader: the ~ creepy old dude ~ in the story is 36, lol)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a fast read, perfect for teens and YA. The book follows Caela and Iris at two different points in time. While Caela is dealing with the death of her Dad and the life changes that follow, Iris is living out in the woods with four other girls and a man names Sol.
Caela is plucked from her life of love and acceptance when her father passes away and is shoved into the world of her mother’s. A person who decided long ago that being a parent to Caela was not her priority and even now isn’t comforting or nurturing to Caela. To her mother and stepfather, Caela is a problem child.
Iris is determined to keep her found family in tact, doing just as she is asked and working along her new sisters. But after a year a new girl named Rose has join the household and from the start, Iris can see there is something different about her. As the bond between Iris and Rose grows, questions and tensions rise. The life that Iris has known this past year starts to change and feel different. Iris is desperately trying to analyze where she belongs and who she should believe/align with. While constantly hoping she doesn’t make the wrong choice.
Where Lost Girls Go is a chilling example of psychological manipulation and the power of connection. I love the ending messages of finding your inner power and fighting for what’s right.
Caela is plucked from her life of love and acceptance when her father passes away and is shoved into the world of her mother’s. A person who decided long ago that being a parent to Caela was not her priority and even now isn’t comforting or nurturing to Caela. To her mother and stepfather, Caela is a problem child.
Iris is determined to keep her found family in tact, doing just as she is asked and working along her new sisters. But after a year a new girl named Rose has join the household and from the start, Iris can see there is something different about her. As the bond between Iris and Rose grows, questions and tensions rise. The life that Iris has known this past year starts to change and feel different. Iris is desperately trying to analyze where she belongs and who she should believe/align with. While constantly hoping she doesn’t make the wrong choice.
Where Lost Girls Go is a chilling example of psychological manipulation and the power of connection. I love the ending messages of finding your inner power and fighting for what’s right.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Kody Keplinger blends suspense, mystery & emotional depth in this YA novel Where Lost Girls Go. The story follows a group of young girls who have fled their pasts only to come under the control of a manipulative leader called Sol.
The story explores some serious themes such as grief, trauma, identity, friendship & the feeling of needing / wanting to belong. These themes are covered during the characters growth throughout the story.
The characters are well developed & feel authentic. Iris is one of the main POV'S, she worships Sol until a newcomer arrives & then she begins to have doubts. The manipulation from Sol to Iris was clear to read & I felt helpless as I was reading. Caela is the 2nd main POV, after the traumatic death of her father & the rejection from her mother she flees only to also find herself drawn into the group. However as a newcomer, she has her eyes wide open & doubts everything that Sol says & does.
The writing is fast paced & vivid so it was easy to become invested almost immediately. I liked how the story made me think about manipulation & trust & how important it actually is to stand up for myself.
Where Lost Girls Go is a powerful novel that combines serious themes with suspense. This would make a good book club read.
Thank you to InstaBookTours Scholastic UK & Kody Keplinger for a copy of the book & Tour opportunity.
The story explores some serious themes such as grief, trauma, identity, friendship & the feeling of needing / wanting to belong. These themes are covered during the characters growth throughout the story.
The characters are well developed & feel authentic. Iris is one of the main POV'S, she worships Sol until a newcomer arrives & then she begins to have doubts. The manipulation from Sol to Iris was clear to read & I felt helpless as I was reading. Caela is the 2nd main POV, after the traumatic death of her father & the rejection from her mother she flees only to also find herself drawn into the group. However as a newcomer, she has her eyes wide open & doubts everything that Sol says & does.
The writing is fast paced & vivid so it was easy to become invested almost immediately. I liked how the story made me think about manipulation & trust & how important it actually is to stand up for myself.
Where Lost Girls Go is a powerful novel that combines serious themes with suspense. This would make a good book club read.
Thank you to InstaBookTours Scholastic UK & Kody Keplinger for a copy of the book & Tour opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This story follows Caela who, after her father suddenly passes away is moved to a new town with her less than maternal mother. Caela is openly gay however her mother and step father are not the most accepting. After a spell of bad behaviour, her step dad kicks her out. With no other options, she takes off. Caela finds herself in a small town with no car, phone or help.
Sharing a remote cabin in the woods with other girls with similar back stories, all thanks to Sol. He’s created a garden and safe haven for these girls but not everything is as it seems because rose has its thorns…
The story is told from two POVS, the lead up of Caela’s present and Iris’ POV.
This was an enjoyable read and I’ll be honest, it wasn’t until the 2nd half of the book I started to out the pieces together on the “twist”. This book is dark in a psychological way than a scary way but it really made me think how situations like this can happen in every day life.
I really enjoyed Kody’s writing style and how descriptive this book was. I was easily able to lose track of time while I read this and picture the atmosphere vividly. This book is more character driven and development is noticeable throughout.
While this book covers darker themes, it definitely is aimed at teens and it’s perfect for them to grow into the thriller genre.
Thank you Scholastic UK for sending me a copy!
Sharing a remote cabin in the woods with other girls with similar back stories, all thanks to Sol. He’s created a garden and safe haven for these girls but not everything is as it seems because rose has its thorns…
The story is told from two POVS, the lead up of Caela’s present and Iris’ POV.
This was an enjoyable read and I’ll be honest, it wasn’t until the 2nd half of the book I started to out the pieces together on the “twist”. This book is dark in a psychological way than a scary way but it really made me think how situations like this can happen in every day life.
I really enjoyed Kody’s writing style and how descriptive this book was. I was easily able to lose track of time while I read this and picture the atmosphere vividly. This book is more character driven and development is noticeable throughout.
While this book covers darker themes, it definitely is aimed at teens and it’s perfect for them to grow into the thriller genre.
Thank you Scholastic UK for sending me a copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Where Lost Girls Go is a compelling YA read that mixes cult dynamics, mystery, and romance (warning: woke) with themes of grief, belonging, and finding your way back to yourself. The story follows a group of girls living in an isolated cabin under the guidance of Sol, a charismatic leader whose influence becomes more unsettling the deeper the story goes.
The girls see themselves as a family and are deeply grateful to Sol for taking them in. Over time, though, small details start to stand out. There are strict rules that nobody questions, including a ban on discussing their pasts, and a growing sense that loyalty to Sol comes before everything else.
We see how Iris and Rose's relationship develops. Their connection becomes an important part of the story as one of them begins to question the life they've built under Sol's roof. The book does a good job showing how manipulation can be difficult to recognize when you're the one experiencing it, making the cult elements feel believable and unsettling without going over the top.
Overall, it's a fast-paced and engaging read with an intriguing premise, a touch of mystery, and a hopeful message about finding the strength to think for yourself.
The girls see themselves as a family and are deeply grateful to Sol for taking them in. Over time, though, small details start to stand out. There are strict rules that nobody questions, including a ban on discussing their pasts, and a growing sense that loyalty to Sol comes before everything else.
We see how Iris and Rose's relationship develops. Their connection becomes an important part of the story as one of them begins to question the life they've built under Sol's roof. The book does a good job showing how manipulation can be difficult to recognize when you're the one experiencing it, making the cult elements feel believable and unsettling without going over the top.
Overall, it's a fast-paced and engaging read with an intriguing premise, a touch of mystery, and a hopeful message about finding the strength to think for yourself.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Won an ARC of this from a GoodReads giveaway.
Even though the perspective and time jumps around a bit, I figured out early on that two of the characters were one and the same.
I initially was worried there would be a creepy, s*x, like thing happening, fortunately that wasnt the case. Yes, creepy, but no assault or anything of that nature.
This is an interesting take on a cult-like experience. A man named Sol takes in girls who've had hard lives, gives them floral names, and believes they are a garden that can grow together. They live in a cabin in a small, remote town, in the middle of Kentucky. They are mostly self-sufficient, hunting and gardening and sharing clothes and resources. They rarely go into the small town. They don't talk or interact with anyone outside. Iris, who is coming up on her 1 year anniversary of staying with this "family" has to get ready for her "trials" - something all girls must do in order to prove their loyalty and stay in the home with Sol. However, Iris's trials (and the arrival of a new girl, Rose) have her start questioning what is true or real with what is not. Eventually we unravel some dark secrets and learn that Sol is not as bright and sunny as you think...
Even though the perspective and time jumps around a bit, I figured out early on that two of the characters were one and the same.
I initially was worried there would be a creepy, s*x, like thing happening, fortunately that wasnt the case. Yes, creepy, but no assault or anything of that nature.
This is an interesting take on a cult-like experience. A man named Sol takes in girls who've had hard lives, gives them floral names, and believes they are a garden that can grow together. They live in a cabin in a small, remote town, in the middle of Kentucky. They are mostly self-sufficient, hunting and gardening and sharing clothes and resources. They rarely go into the small town. They don't talk or interact with anyone outside. Iris, who is coming up on her 1 year anniversary of staying with this "family" has to get ready for her "trials" - something all girls must do in order to prove their loyalty and stay in the home with Sol. However, Iris's trials (and the arrival of a new girl, Rose) have her start questioning what is true or real with what is not. Eventually we unravel some dark secrets and learn that Sol is not as bright and sunny as you think...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Where Lost girls Go reads like a taut thriller. You know that something sinister is happening in Sol's cabin, where five teenage girls live with and basically worship him, though you're not sure what he's asking of them until Iris' trials begin. Meanwhile, you're tracking a side story with Micaela, who loses a father she loved dearly and is forced to go live with her estranged mother. You're not sure how the two stories connect until the very end.
The writing is compelling and keeps you reading. That said, the novel is probably longer than it needs to be. I also found myself wondering why the young women in the cabin weren't more wary of Sol and the situation they're in - as new arrival Rose is from the start. The book takes place in present day, so the idea that the other characters aren't suspicious of Sol's behavior is hard to buy. Had they never heard or read about manipulative cult leaders and charismatic adults who groom vulnerable young people to submit to their demands? This seems like information all teenagers have in this day and age.
I didn't see the twist coming at the end, and I'm still unsure if it was satisfying or a cheap shot. I could see teenagers enjoying this book but feel like they might be frustrated by the young female characters' naïveté.
The writing is compelling and keeps you reading. That said, the novel is probably longer than it needs to be. I also found myself wondering why the young women in the cabin weren't more wary of Sol and the situation they're in - as new arrival Rose is from the start. The book takes place in present day, so the idea that the other characters aren't suspicious of Sol's behavior is hard to buy. Had they never heard or read about manipulative cult leaders and charismatic adults who groom vulnerable young people to submit to their demands? This seems like information all teenagers have in this day and age.
I didn't see the twist coming at the end, and I'm still unsure if it was satisfying or a cheap shot. I could see teenagers enjoying this book but feel like they might be frustrated by the young female characters' naïveté.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐
WHERE LOST GIRLS GO by Kody Keplinger (July 7, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic for the eArc
They're lost, unwanted, which is why they've ended up living in Kentucky mountains with Sol. One of the girls, Iris, begins to question everything when a new girl shows up. As her year of living with Sol arrives, her loyalty is put to the test. Each new task puts her more on edge, each new task pull Iris away from Sol and his secrets.
WHERE LOST GIRLS GO is a YA thriller that is told from two points of view. Full of cult vibes, this is the story of sisterhood...but at what cost?
I really enjoyed this book. It was very intriguing and very disturbing. Just the thought of these five girls living with a strange man put me on edge. Even moreso as things about Sol and previous happenings were revealed.
Once I was able to sit down and read this with no interruption, the story moved at quite a fast pace despite taking place across many months. One thing that really takes things back was how this ended. WHERE LOST GIRLS GO's ending left me unsatisfied. It was a good ending, but I feel like an epilogue would have taken everything over the top. Loose ends needed tied up.
WHERE LOST GIRLS GO by Kody Keplinger (July 7, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic for the eArc
They're lost, unwanted, which is why they've ended up living in Kentucky mountains with Sol. One of the girls, Iris, begins to question everything when a new girl shows up. As her year of living with Sol arrives, her loyalty is put to the test. Each new task puts her more on edge, each new task pull Iris away from Sol and his secrets.
WHERE LOST GIRLS GO is a YA thriller that is told from two points of view. Full of cult vibes, this is the story of sisterhood...but at what cost?
I really enjoyed this book. It was very intriguing and very disturbing. Just the thought of these five girls living with a strange man put me on edge. Even moreso as things about Sol and previous happenings were revealed.
Once I was able to sit down and read this with no interruption, the story moved at quite a fast pace despite taking place across many months. One thing that really takes things back was how this ended. WHERE LOST GIRLS GO's ending left me unsatisfied. It was a good ending, but I feel like an epilogue would have taken everything over the top. Loose ends needed tied up.
July 7, 2026
This was an intriguing YA thriller. Six girls live together in a cabin in the woods with a man named Sol, who claims to have rescued them from their difficult circumstances. He provides them with a home, structure, and guidance, but in return expects complete loyalty and obedience. Iris has been living with Sol for a year and is now being asked to do things she knows are wrong. As she struggles between her loyalty to Sol and her own conscience, the tension continues to build. The story is told through two points of view. Iris's chapters take place during her time with Sol, while Michaela's chapters follow her life before she arrives at the cabin. For much of the book, I wasn't entirely sure whether Michaela was Iris or Rose. This was an extremely fast read, and I enjoyed the overall story. My biggest question, though, was Sol's motivation. I never felt like I fully understood why he took these girls in. Was it simply about power and control? I wanted a deeper exploration of his motives, which would have made the story even more satisfying for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
It was an interesting and quick read, but definitely felt like it was barely young adult. A troublemaking kid says "heck yeah" not once but twice and that's when I realized there's no curse words in the book. It completely took me out of it. You don't need profanity in a book to prove someone is a delinquent, but have them say something else believable.
There were really no complex characters in the book. You can argue that's the point that no one is their own person, but even characters outside of Sol's influences felt one dimensional.
The whole book, the main character is constantly trying to please other people or to put other people before herself due to her trauma, but even by the end of the book I walked away feeling like the main character still never made a decision for herself. She either had to attack Sol or let Rose get killed and either way she was making that choice for someone else.
There were really no complex characters in the book. You can argue that's the point that no one is their own person, but even characters outside of Sol's influences felt one dimensional.
The whole book, the main character is constantly trying to please other people or to put other people before herself due to her trauma, but even by the end of the book I walked away feeling like the main character still never made a decision for herself. She either had to attack Sol or let Rose get killed and either way she was making that choice for someone else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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