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Oxford Secrets
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Expected 12 Jan 27Win a free print copy of this book!
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50 copies available
U.S. only
The second novel in Rachael Davis-Featherstone’s gripping dark academia duology, examining power, privilege, and the toxic potential of social media.
Rumours, Rivalry, Ruin,
It’s Freshers’ Week at Oxford University, and Eva is determined not to let the tragic death of her best friend George—or the notoriety she gained solving his murder—define her. Instead, she’s focused on acing her tutes, writing for The Oxford Voice, and maybe even getting to know Malik, her charming new American hallmate. Though try as she might, Eva can’t deny her growing feelings for Xander. Ones that serve as an aching reminder of their shared connection to George every time they start to get close.
But when Oxford’s anonymous student forum, Oxford Slays, is targeted by a hack, Eva finds herself at the center of yet another controversy. Eva’s public criticism of Oxford Slays and its negative impact on student wellbeing means all eyes are on her as the true identities behind the Slayer usernames are leaked.
It’s up to Eva to discover who engineered the hack and clear her name. As Eva’s investigations reveal deadly secrets, it isn’t long before Oxford blood is spilled again.
Rumours, Rivalry, Ruin,
It’s Freshers’ Week at Oxford University, and Eva is determined not to let the tragic death of her best friend George—or the notoriety she gained solving his murder—define her. Instead, she’s focused on acing her tutes, writing for The Oxford Voice, and maybe even getting to know Malik, her charming new American hallmate. Though try as she might, Eva can’t deny her growing feelings for Xander. Ones that serve as an aching reminder of their shared connection to George every time they start to get close.
But when Oxford’s anonymous student forum, Oxford Slays, is targeted by a hack, Eva finds herself at the center of yet another controversy. Eva’s public criticism of Oxford Slays and its negative impact on student wellbeing means all eyes are on her as the true identities behind the Slayer usernames are leaked.
It’s up to Eva to discover who engineered the hack and clear her name. As Eva’s investigations reveal deadly secrets, it isn’t long before Oxford blood is spilled again.
- GenresMysteryYoung Adult
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 12, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 Stars
This is a sequel to Oxford Blood and occurs a year after events in first book.
Eva returns to Oxford for her freshman year, where she reconnects with friends old (Lily, Xander) and new (Ruby, Malik).
The issues with racism still continue from the first book. Eva finds herself accused of trying to stop OxS (Oxford Slays, a social media network for the school) through her op ed on cyber bullying. That's is when the book really takes off. Hackers take over OxS and threaten to release names. A student dies. She and her friends are suspects. Eva struggles to figure out who's responsible.
There is a slight love triangle (Malik, Eva, Xander), but it is added in a way that does enhance the plot and doesn't feel forced.
While this is a sequel, I feel it is not necessary to read the first book, but I would highly recommend it as it was just as good!
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
This is a sequel to Oxford Blood and occurs a year after events in first book.
Eva returns to Oxford for her freshman year, where she reconnects with friends old (Lily, Xander) and new (Ruby, Malik).
The issues with racism still continue from the first book. Eva finds herself accused of trying to stop OxS (Oxford Slays, a social media network for the school) through her op ed on cyber bullying. That's is when the book really takes off. Hackers take over OxS and threaten to release names. A student dies. She and her friends are suspects. Eva struggles to figure out who's responsible.
There is a slight love triangle (Malik, Eva, Xander), but it is added in a way that does enhance the plot and doesn't feel forced.
While this is a sequel, I feel it is not necessary to read the first book, but I would highly recommend it as it was just as good!
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had high hopes for this 2nd in series YA mystery, envisioning a compelling mystery, cleverly solved - after all, the heroine is an Oxford student. Unfortunately, I feel let down, hence the 3 star rating.
The main character, Eva, is likable, smart, compassionate and loyal, all fine qualities I like in a heroine, however, she’s not much of an amateur detective. I expected a Veronica Mars type investigator, plucky, daring, intelligent and inventive in her strategies to get to the truth, instead, Eva is hesitant and aimless in her approach.
The support characters are drawn as typical college students which, while realistic, are not memorable. The cop father is bland and seems to have little to do with the plot except as a support figure. He’s not even there as a means for Eva to successfully wheedle information out of.
The plot itself meanders. While I enjoyed following along with Eva as she navigated the new world of Freshman week at Oxford, this went on entirely too long. I found myself impatient for a hint at the “secrets” and “mystery” promised to me by the intriguing title and book cover.
Additionally, the author seems determined to continually pound home how racism is prevalent at the school which is completely unrelated to the theme as I understand it from the summary (the dangers of social media and its potential tragic consequences). Even if there was a racism thread running through the story, the author fails to do more than have her characters bring it up at every opportunity. I never read any instances of this affecting the characters. They all seem to enjoy the same events and privileges of the school. No one was mistreated because they were “people of color”. So why include it when it has no bearing on the plot?
In my opinion, as a well-seasoned reader, the really interesting mystery only began mid-way through the book and this is not what I expect as a mystery reader. Add to this that the secrets were vague, and quite frankly a yawn.
In summary, if you're looking for a cracking good mystery, give this a miss. On the other hand, it does offer an immersion into the modern life of young adults and the technology that controls their lives.
I’d like to thank the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
The main character, Eva, is likable, smart, compassionate and loyal, all fine qualities I like in a heroine, however, she’s not much of an amateur detective. I expected a Veronica Mars type investigator, plucky, daring, intelligent and inventive in her strategies to get to the truth, instead, Eva is hesitant and aimless in her approach.
The support characters are drawn as typical college students which, while realistic, are not memorable. The cop father is bland and seems to have little to do with the plot except as a support figure. He’s not even there as a means for Eva to successfully wheedle information out of.
The plot itself meanders. While I enjoyed following along with Eva as she navigated the new world of Freshman week at Oxford, this went on entirely too long. I found myself impatient for a hint at the “secrets” and “mystery” promised to me by the intriguing title and book cover.
Additionally, the author seems determined to continually pound home how racism is prevalent at the school which is completely unrelated to the theme as I understand it from the summary (the dangers of social media and its potential tragic consequences). Even if there was a racism thread running through the story, the author fails to do more than have her characters bring it up at every opportunity. I never read any instances of this affecting the characters. They all seem to enjoy the same events and privileges of the school. No one was mistreated because they were “people of color”. So why include it when it has no bearing on the plot?
In my opinion, as a well-seasoned reader, the really interesting mystery only began mid-way through the book and this is not what I expect as a mystery reader. Add to this that the secrets were vague, and quite frankly a yawn.
In summary, if you're looking for a cracking good mystery, give this a miss. On the other hand, it does offer an immersion into the modern life of young adults and the technology that controls their lives.
I’d like to thank the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.5⭐️
Just like the first book, this one comes with a predictable twist. The difference is that, in the first book, I actually guessed the twist correctly but still spent half the time second-guessing myself because some of the clues were misleading enough to keep me suspicious of several characters. But this one is just… straight up predictable.
And I’ve noticed a pattern with how the “mastermind” gets introduced in both books. Someone suddenly appears, is suspiciously friendly, casually drops some very specific lore about themselves, and my brain immediately goes, “Ooooh, I wonder how THAT’S going to come back later.” And then it does, like clockwork.
The first half was also a little too slow for me. I was lowkey bored because the plot felt like it was circling the same drain instead of actually moving forward. But the second half was so much more thrilling, and the hacking elements were genuinely so fun to read.
The romance, though… I don’t know, man. I don’t mind a little romance in my mystery, but this felt a bit unnecessary and forced. I needed more build-up to make it feel less awkward and rushed.
Also, petition to give Eva a major break. She has already been through SO MUCH since the first book, and now she has to deal with yet another threat. She deserves a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.
Overall, the second half really saved this one for me. Again, someone PLEASE get Eva that hot chocolate. It’s an emergency.
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Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Just like the first book, this one comes with a predictable twist. The difference is that, in the first book, I actually guessed the twist correctly but still spent half the time second-guessing myself because some of the clues were misleading enough to keep me suspicious of several characters. But this one is just… straight up predictable.
And I’ve noticed a pattern with how the “mastermind” gets introduced in both books. Someone suddenly appears, is suspiciously friendly, casually drops some very specific lore about themselves, and my brain immediately goes, “Ooooh, I wonder how THAT’S going to come back later.” And then it does, like clockwork.
The first half was also a little too slow for me. I was lowkey bored because the plot felt like it was circling the same drain instead of actually moving forward. But the second half was so much more thrilling, and the hacking elements were genuinely so fun to read.
The romance, though… I don’t know, man. I don’t mind a little romance in my mystery, but this felt a bit unnecessary and forced. I needed more build-up to make it feel less awkward and rushed.
Also, petition to give Eva a major break. She has already been through SO MUCH since the first book, and now she has to deal with yet another threat. She deserves a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.
Overall, the second half really saved this one for me. Again, someone PLEASE get Eva that hot chocolate. It’s an emergency.
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Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
I really enjoyed Oxford Blood so knew I had to pick this one up, and it was so fast paced and easy to read that I read it in one sitting!
Admittedly, I did guess most of the plot twists, but it didn't take away from the book, I really enjoyed the plot points in Oxford Secrets, the hacking was a really unique element to follow and poor Eva just can't catch a break! Solving the murder of her best friend George haunts her as she starts University, but she finds a like-minded individual who is also being terrorised by the gossip on OxS, by anonymous students. It was a really cute Older Sister friendship with Ruby. And suddenly, Eva finds herself in a situation all too similar to the last time she was at Oxford interview week.
I once again really liked the relationship with Xander grow, but Malik was promising until around halfway, where he was rather insufferable but I think that was the point, and proves how much stronger the connection that Xander and Eva have, especially because they stay bonded as they both knew George.
Lily is still the same Lily which you've got to respect to a point, but I think how rude she was in the Tutes was rather uncalled for and she justifies it and all is forgiven, I get it you're competitive but there's no need to be so unsupportive.
This was a very enjoyable thriller and sequel to Oxford Blood. And I will be having a hot chocolate with all the marshmallows for Eva and Ruby!
I really enjoyed Oxford Blood so knew I had to pick this one up, and it was so fast paced and easy to read that I read it in one sitting!
Admittedly, I did guess most of the plot twists, but it didn't take away from the book, I really enjoyed the plot points in Oxford Secrets, the hacking was a really unique element to follow and poor Eva just can't catch a break! Solving the murder of her best friend George haunts her as she starts University, but she finds a like-minded individual who is also being terrorised by the gossip on OxS, by anonymous students. It was a really cute Older Sister friendship with Ruby. And suddenly, Eva finds herself in a situation all too similar to the last time she was at Oxford interview week.
I once again really liked the relationship with Xander grow, but Malik was promising until around halfway, where he was rather insufferable but I think that was the point, and proves how much stronger the connection that Xander and Eva have, especially because they stay bonded as they both knew George.
Lily is still the same Lily which you've got to respect to a point, but I think how rude she was in the Tutes was rather uncalled for and she justifies it and all is forgiven, I get it you're competitive but there's no need to be so unsupportive.
This was a very enjoyable thriller and sequel to Oxford Blood. And I will be having a hot chocolate with all the marshmallows for Eva and Ruby!
September 11, 2026
Thank you to Rachael Davis-Featherstone, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Oxford Secrets by Rachael Davis-Featherstone is an entertaining YA mystery with an intriguing premise, even if the execution suffers from a few pacing issues. Although this is the second installment in a series, it functions remarkably well as a standalone, making it easy to dive into Eva's new life during her freshman week at Oxford.
Eva is a smart, loyal, and likable protagonist, and the novel does a great job immersing the reader in modern student life and the heavy influence of technology. However, the first half of the book moves at a noticeably slow pace, taking quite a while to get to the core mystery. Eva’s investigative style can feel a bit hesitant and aimless rather than proactive, and a few subplots, particularly the romance, felt slightly forced.
Fortunately, the narrative picks up considerably in the second half. Once the stakes are raised and the clues begin to align, the story becomes much more engaging. Exploring the backstories of the new supporting cast adds welcome depth to the plot, and even when certain twists feel a bit predictable, the momentum is enough to keep you turning pages until the end.
Despite a sluggish start and a few loose ends, it is still a fun, easy read for fans of contemporary student-led mysteries.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Oxford Secrets by Rachael Davis-Featherstone is an entertaining YA mystery with an intriguing premise, even if the execution suffers from a few pacing issues. Although this is the second installment in a series, it functions remarkably well as a standalone, making it easy to dive into Eva's new life during her freshman week at Oxford.
Eva is a smart, loyal, and likable protagonist, and the novel does a great job immersing the reader in modern student life and the heavy influence of technology. However, the first half of the book moves at a noticeably slow pace, taking quite a while to get to the core mystery. Eva’s investigative style can feel a bit hesitant and aimless rather than proactive, and a few subplots, particularly the romance, felt slightly forced.
Fortunately, the narrative picks up considerably in the second half. Once the stakes are raised and the clues begin to align, the story becomes much more engaging. Exploring the backstories of the new supporting cast adds welcome depth to the plot, and even when certain twists feel a bit predictable, the momentum is enough to keep you turning pages until the end.
Despite a sluggish start and a few loose ends, it is still a fun, easy read for fans of contemporary student-led mysteries.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨✨✨ (3.5)
Oxford Secrets pulled me in pretty quickly because I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. While I did find some parts very predictable, I still enjoyed the overall story and was curious to see how everything would play out. The first half felt a little slow for me, especially considering this as a pretty fast paced book. However, I really enjoyed the second half and felt like the story picked up and became much more engaging. I also really liked getting to meet the new characters and learning more about their backstories. It was interesting to figure out how their pasts might connect to the bigger plot and what they could potentially bring to the story. The romance, however, felt a little forced at times and didn't completely work for me. I haven't read the first book, so I can't really compare the two or say how this one fits into the series. I was still able to follow along and enjoy the story without having read the first book. Overall, 3.5 stars. It kept me interested, had some fun character development, and definitely had me wanting to find out what would happen next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy!
Oxford Secrets pulled me in pretty quickly because I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. While I did find some parts very predictable, I still enjoyed the overall story and was curious to see how everything would play out. The first half felt a little slow for me, especially considering this as a pretty fast paced book. However, I really enjoyed the second half and felt like the story picked up and became much more engaging. I also really liked getting to meet the new characters and learning more about their backstories. It was interesting to figure out how their pasts might connect to the bigger plot and what they could potentially bring to the story. The romance, however, felt a little forced at times and didn't completely work for me. I haven't read the first book, so I can't really compare the two or say how this one fits into the series. I was still able to follow along and enjoy the story without having read the first book. Overall, 3.5 stars. It kept me interested, had some fun character development, and definitely had me wanting to find out what would happen next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was a fabulous sequel. Special thank you to Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. This sequel takes place not long after the events of Oxford Blood. The cast of characters is known to us-plus the addition of a few notable faces. OxS and our FLC -Eva Dawkins- is at the centre of the story. After what happened with George last year, she wants to move forward with her life - but OxS, an anonymous digital chat room for Oxford students - has once again become a catalyst of hate, racism, and abuse. Eva Dawkins wants to change it. And apparently so do others who have far more nefarious intentions AND methods.
This is a twisty, dark academia YA novel that I gobbled up in one sitting! Highly recommended if you love the genre.
This is a twisty, dark academia YA novel that I gobbled up in one sitting! Highly recommended if you love the genre.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
In this second installment of the Oxford's series, Eva is now officially an Oxford student. She's hoping for a fresh start after her best friend was murdered during interview week and she solved his murder. However, the thought is quickly dashed when her new friend goes missing as well.
I'll be honest, this book isn't bad, but it isn't good either. For all the constant talk about it's Oxford and everyone is sooo smart, everyone acts so dumb. The final reveal is so obvious the whole time, I wanted to scream. Not to mention the fact that Eva is just a bad friend in this book. It's possible this series just isn't for me, but it just does too much and too little at the same time.
In this second installment of the Oxford's series, Eva is now officially an Oxford student. She's hoping for a fresh start after her best friend was murdered during interview week and she solved his murder. However, the thought is quickly dashed when her new friend goes missing as well.
I'll be honest, this book isn't bad, but it isn't good either. For all the constant talk about it's Oxford and everyone is sooo smart, everyone acts so dumb. The final reveal is so obvious the whole time, I wanted to scream. Not to mention the fact that Eva is just a bad friend in this book. It's possible this series just isn't for me, but it just does too much and too little at the same time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for letting me review and read this book
Release date is 1-12-27
This is second book in this series and it was good like the plot was good and it again a very fast paced story to read. I like how the plot in each of the books are different but you still see the main female characters and you see some of the old characters from the book. But then you get to meet new characters also that get involved in the crime fighting too. I figure out who did half way through the book after the event had taken place it kind of sad to me that this character did because I though I was going to like them but then they had to go the crime and made me change my mind about them.
Release date is 1-12-27
This is second book in this series and it was good like the plot was good and it again a very fast paced story to read. I like how the plot in each of the books are different but you still see the main female characters and you see some of the old characters from the book. But then you get to meet new characters also that get involved in the crime fighting too. I figure out who did half way through the book after the event had taken place it kind of sad to me that this character did because I though I was going to like them but then they had to go the crime and made me change my mind about them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dnf at 20%
I was looking forward to continuing this series. I enjoyed Oxford Blood in June. Unfortunately, I'm DNFing it early because I wasn't vibing with this book. I'm not sure the premise was for me. I enjoyed the premise of Oxford Blood more. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book early.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachael Davis-Featherstone, and Wednesday Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking forward to continuing this series. I enjoyed Oxford Blood in June. Unfortunately, I'm DNFing it early because I wasn't vibing with this book. I'm not sure the premise was for me. I enjoyed the premise of Oxford Blood more. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book early.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachael Davis-Featherstone, and Wednesday Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley.
Oxford Secrets is a mild mystery that takes a bit to get started. I almost DNF’d the book but I’m glad that I didn’t. Once you get to the halfway mark, things start to get going. It’s very similar to the first book when it comes to the format. Overall, it’s a 4-star read for me.
Oxford Secrets is a mild mystery that takes a bit to get started. I almost DNF’d the book but I’m glad that I didn’t. Once you get to the halfway mark, things start to get going. It’s very similar to the first book when it comes to the format. Overall, it’s a 4-star read for me.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews