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Drowning in Flames
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26
For fans of A Lesson In Vengeance and The Inheritance Games comes a new YA mystery set at an all-girls boarding school where some secrets are better kept hidden.
Seventeen-year-old Emmaline Berry begins her senior year at Hawthorne Academy, her late mother's alma mater, eager for a fresh start. But when a student is poisoned on her first day, Emmaline becomes the prime suspect.
With her scholarship on the line, she teams up with quick-witted outcast Blair to shut down the elite secret society plaguing the academy and her reputation.
As they dive deeper into the academy's dark history, Emmaline uncovers her mother's hidden connection to the school's founder, forcing her to question not only her place at Hawthorne but the very truth of her identity.
But Emmaline isn't the only one digging—someone else is desperate to keep the past hidden and will kill to make sure of it.
Seventeen-year-old Emmaline Berry begins her senior year at Hawthorne Academy, her late mother's alma mater, eager for a fresh start. But when a student is poisoned on her first day, Emmaline becomes the prime suspect.
With her scholarship on the line, she teams up with quick-witted outcast Blair to shut down the elite secret society plaguing the academy and her reputation.
As they dive deeper into the academy's dark history, Emmaline uncovers her mother's hidden connection to the school's founder, forcing her to question not only her place at Hawthorne but the very truth of her identity.
But Emmaline isn't the only one digging—someone else is desperate to keep the past hidden and will kill to make sure of it.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an absolutely phenomenal debut novel, perfect for fans of sapphic romance, mystery, and dark academia.
**Thank you to the author for providing me an advanced reader copy of this story, in exchange for an honest review!**
The protagonist, Emmaline, is so thoroughly developed and relatable, that you can’t help but earnestly root for her the entire book. I was invested in her plight climbing the social ladder, discovering her family history, and trying to nurture a budding romance. As someone who has lost a loved one and experienced the PTSD and grief that comes along with it; I appreciated the nuanced conversation and depiction of those complicated feelings from multiple perspectives within the story.
I also thought the world building of Hawthorne Academy was incredibly well done, I love the bits of history woven throughout the book and how they come into play towards the end. One of my favorite things in fiction is when the story gets a little epistolary, so the letters that Emmaline find ultimately being the vehicle to deliver us a piece of this tragic historical tale was the cherry on top of the sundae.
My favorite part? The ending. My god folks, THAT is how you wrap up a story. The final resolution had me on the edge of my seat, to the point that I found myself flying through the last chapters and having to go back and re read to really digest everything and allow the ending to sit with me. Multiple gasps, out loud, to the concern of everyone around me.
I honestly cannot recommend this book more to anyone who loves a good sapphic read, and/or a biting mystery, it’s become my favorite read of the year thus far. I cannot wait to buy it once it comes out in September.
**Thank you to the author for providing me an advanced reader copy of this story, in exchange for an honest review!**
The protagonist, Emmaline, is so thoroughly developed and relatable, that you can’t help but earnestly root for her the entire book. I was invested in her plight climbing the social ladder, discovering her family history, and trying to nurture a budding romance. As someone who has lost a loved one and experienced the PTSD and grief that comes along with it; I appreciated the nuanced conversation and depiction of those complicated feelings from multiple perspectives within the story.
I also thought the world building of Hawthorne Academy was incredibly well done, I love the bits of history woven throughout the book and how they come into play towards the end. One of my favorite things in fiction is when the story gets a little epistolary, so the letters that Emmaline find ultimately being the vehicle to deliver us a piece of this tragic historical tale was the cherry on top of the sundae.
My favorite part? The ending. My god folks, THAT is how you wrap up a story. The final resolution had me on the edge of my seat, to the point that I found myself flying through the last chapters and having to go back and re read to really digest everything and allow the ending to sit with me. Multiple gasps, out loud, to the concern of everyone around me.
I honestly cannot recommend this book more to anyone who loves a good sapphic read, and/or a biting mystery, it’s become my favorite read of the year thus far. I cannot wait to buy it once it comes out in September.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of Advanced Copy
Let me start and say the author did an amazing job with the characters inner dialogue. This book truly kept me on my toes - normally I know exactly where a book is going. This one actually shocked me with the ending. I will admit at first it feels like a read for a somewhat younger audience but once you hit a certain point - you will stay in shock by these characters. And the ENDING!?! Definitely a must read just for the ending. This is an amazing YA messy sapphic mystery.
(I thank the author a thousand times for the chance to read this advanced copy)
Let me start and say the author did an amazing job with the characters inner dialogue. This book truly kept me on my toes - normally I know exactly where a book is going. This one actually shocked me with the ending. I will admit at first it feels like a read for a somewhat younger audience but once you hit a certain point - you will stay in shock by these characters. And the ENDING!?! Definitely a must read just for the ending. This is an amazing YA messy sapphic mystery.
(I thank the author a thousand times for the chance to read this advanced copy)
Review of advance copy
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an ARC and I am so glad I did. This has now become my favorite book. The fact there’s OCD and WLW representation means a lot to me as I have OCD and have the best fiancée ever (wlw). I just know this book is going to help so many people, just like it did with me! Keep writing!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews