What do you think?
If They Knew
Not yet published
Expected 10 Oct 26When Theo Parrish’s father dies, he inherits more than grief—he inherits Parrish Cruise Lines, the ambitious start-up company his father spent years building from the ground up. Since his twin brother, Tyler, has no interest in the business, sole responsibility falls on Theo's shoulders.
Determined to prove himself—and to honor his father’s legacy—Theo boards the company’s first vessel for what should've been a simple training voyage, turns out to be anything but...
Without warning, a merciless storm hits and in the midst of the chaos, the ship's communications fail, and power falters. Adrift and aimless, the vessel is left dead in the water.
Tasked with the unthinkable, Theo must choose his every move carefully, as the fate of every soul left on board is in his hands.
As days bleed into weeks, then endless months, supplies dwindle, and desperation sets in. Alliances form, leaders emerge, and dark secrets surface–with one passenger on board carrying the darkest secret any of them could imagine...
The question is no longer when rescue will come…
…but who will still be alive when it does?
Determined to prove himself—and to honor his father’s legacy—Theo boards the company’s first vessel for what should've been a simple training voyage, turns out to be anything but...
Without warning, a merciless storm hits and in the midst of the chaos, the ship's communications fail, and power falters. Adrift and aimless, the vessel is left dead in the water.
Tasked with the unthinkable, Theo must choose his every move carefully, as the fate of every soul left on board is in his hands.
As days bleed into weeks, then endless months, supplies dwindle, and desperation sets in. Alliances form, leaders emerge, and dark secrets surface–with one passenger on board carrying the darkest secret any of them could imagine...
The question is no longer when rescue will come…
…but who will still be alive when it does?
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 10, 2026
About the author
A.J. Wooding
1 book238 followersAustin was born and raised in Plant City, Florida, a small town known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. After meeting his now-husband, he moved to Orlando, and their journey eventually led them to Delaware. Austin began his professional life as a dental assistant, but after years of working in dentistry, he decided to chase adventure and became a flight attendant.
When he’s not jet-setting across the globe, Austin is at home with his family: his husband, their child, and two spirited pit bull terriers. An avid reader and storyteller, Austin enjoys writing dark, suspenseful thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat. Off the page, Austin’s happiest moments are spent with his family and taking his son to Disney World or planning their next Disney cruise—a family tradition filled with laughter, magic, and always an unforgettable adventure.
When he’s not jet-setting across the globe, Austin is at home with his family: his husband, their child, and two spirited pit bull terriers. An avid reader and storyteller, Austin enjoys writing dark, suspenseful thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat. Off the page, Austin’s happiest moments are spent with his family and taking his son to Disney World or planning their next Disney cruise—a family tradition filled with laughter, magic, and always an unforgettable adventure.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
June 13, 2026
What a ride! First, I want to thank A.J. for selecting me as a beta reader for his debut novel. I devoured this book in two days! I couldn’t put it down. I loved experiencing the events from multiple points of view. He did a phenomenal job of putting the reader in the middle of the action. The cover art drew me in immediately the first time I saw it, and the book does not disappoint. There were plenty of terrifying moments and lots of suspense. There are a lot of characters, but I didn’t have any trouble keeping track of them. A.J. does an excellent job showing the emotional toll that the circumstances are taking on each character. The ending has the perfect amount of twists and revelations that will surprise you, while at the same time, pull everything together. I highly recommend you embark on this wild ride. You won’t be disappointed.
July 24, 2026
I was hooked right from the start. It was pretty dark and violent for a good majority of it so be sure to read the trigger warnings prior to reading. However, the end of the book had me so surprised and wanting more! A very good thriller! Thank you for the ARC! 😊🎉 4 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to A.J. Wooding and W. House Publishing for the ARC of If They Knew!
The ending of this book had me SHOCKED, and I could not wait to write this review. The multiple POVs let the story unfold in such a creative way, and I genuinely could not put this down.
One of my favorite things about this book was how it kept me questioning what I thought I knew. Just when you think you understand what caused the endless unfortunate events throughout the novel, something happens that completely changes your perspective on everyone. I loved how the story continued to pull the rug out from under me and made me rethink the characters and their motives.
Imagining being at sea for that long makes me scared to ever go on a cruise again 😅 The circumstances in this book are THAT crazy. The isolation, the uncertainty, and everything that unfolds made for such an intense reading experience.
I genuinely finished this book with my jaw on the floor. I love when a thriller can leave me thinking about the story even after I’ve finished it, and this one definitely did. I seriously hope A.J. Wooding has more of this story to tell us because I am not ready to leave this world behind!
Bravo!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
The ending of this book had me SHOCKED, and I could not wait to write this review. The multiple POVs let the story unfold in such a creative way, and I genuinely could not put this down.
One of my favorite things about this book was how it kept me questioning what I thought I knew. Just when you think you understand what caused the endless unfortunate events throughout the novel, something happens that completely changes your perspective on everyone. I loved how the story continued to pull the rug out from under me and made me rethink the characters and their motives.
Imagining being at sea for that long makes me scared to ever go on a cruise again 😅 The circumstances in this book are THAT crazy. The isolation, the uncertainty, and everything that unfolds made for such an intense reading experience.
I genuinely finished this book with my jaw on the floor. I love when a thriller can leave me thinking about the story even after I’ve finished it, and this one definitely did. I seriously hope A.J. Wooding has more of this story to tell us because I am not ready to leave this world behind!
Bravo!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
July 31, 2026
First, I just want to say THANK YOU for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for If They Knew. I’ve been waiting for a chance to read this book ever since A.J. Wooding first started teasing it, even before the cover was revealed! The moment ARC sign-ups was announced, I was basically checking the Facebook group for a chance like my life depended on it. After all that anticipation, I can confidently say the wait was 100% worth it.
Whatever level of creepy that black room helps you write in, Mr. Wooding…please don’t ever leave it. Because WHAT DID I JUST READ?!
You know a book is good when you’re forcing yourself to put it down because you’re flying through it too fast and you don’t want it to end. Meanwhile, every chapter ends with a cliffhanger that has you saying, “Okay…one more chapter.” Spoiler alert: it’s never just one more chapter.
The number of times I caught myself holding my breath, audibly gasping, or staring at the page in complete disbelief was absolutely ridiculous…but in the best way. This book had me questioning everyone. Trust no one. Suspect everyone. Then question yourself because somehow you’re still wrong.
And that ending?! EXCUSE ME?! You can’t just end a book like that and walk away. I’m going to need a sequel immediately because I’m not okay.
⚠️ Possible spoilers ahead! If you’re waiting until October to read this, save the rest of this review for later!
Can we please talk about the cruise ship? Have we learned absolutely NOTHING from the Poop Cruise? Why are we still boarding ships that have faulty systems and aren’t even fully completed? Honestly…terrible decision-making. But also…thank you, because without it we wouldn’t have gotten this chaotic masterpiece.
And the characters? Every. Single. One. of the main characters had me fooled. Every time I thought I had someone figured out, another twist hit and I was back at square one. The betrayals? The lies? The reveals? Top tier. There were definitely a few characters I would’ve happily thrown overboard myself.
If you’re looking for a thriller that’s packed with nonstop tension, shocking twists, morally questionable characters, and enough cliffhangers to keep you up way past your bedtime, If They Knew absolutely delivers.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be over here impatiently waiting (and manifesting) a sequel because I refuse to believe that’s the end.
One of the easiest 5 star ratings, I’d give it 10 if I could!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Whatever level of creepy that black room helps you write in, Mr. Wooding…please don’t ever leave it. Because WHAT DID I JUST READ?!
You know a book is good when you’re forcing yourself to put it down because you’re flying through it too fast and you don’t want it to end. Meanwhile, every chapter ends with a cliffhanger that has you saying, “Okay…one more chapter.” Spoiler alert: it’s never just one more chapter.
The number of times I caught myself holding my breath, audibly gasping, or staring at the page in complete disbelief was absolutely ridiculous…but in the best way. This book had me questioning everyone. Trust no one. Suspect everyone. Then question yourself because somehow you’re still wrong.
And that ending?! EXCUSE ME?! You can’t just end a book like that and walk away. I’m going to need a sequel immediately because I’m not okay.
⚠️ Possible spoilers ahead! If you’re waiting until October to read this, save the rest of this review for later!
Can we please talk about the cruise ship? Have we learned absolutely NOTHING from the Poop Cruise? Why are we still boarding ships that have faulty systems and aren’t even fully completed? Honestly…terrible decision-making. But also…thank you, because without it we wouldn’t have gotten this chaotic masterpiece.
And the characters? Every. Single. One. of the main characters had me fooled. Every time I thought I had someone figured out, another twist hit and I was back at square one. The betrayals? The lies? The reveals? Top tier. There were definitely a few characters I would’ve happily thrown overboard myself.
If you’re looking for a thriller that’s packed with nonstop tension, shocking twists, morally questionable characters, and enough cliffhangers to keep you up way past your bedtime, If They Knew absolutely delivers.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be over here impatiently waiting (and manifesting) a sequel because I refuse to believe that’s the end.
One of the easiest 5 star ratings, I’d give it 10 if I could!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 24, 2026I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and I flew through it. The action started so quickly and it didn't lose momentum. It's a gory, fast paced survival thriller exploring what desperation can do to people and what part does hope, or lack of it, play in the chance for survival.
I found the cruise ship setting to be unique and it made for a tense, gripping story. Whilst full of action, it also had a lot of suspense and creeping dread. The character dynamics were interesting and well developed. I enjoyed getting multiple perspectives and they were all very distinct. There were twists in this book that I didn't see coming and I was happy to have my expectations subverted.
It was a complete and satisfying story, yet still left a door open for another book in this world, which I would gladly pick up in a heartbeat.
I had so much fun with this book. It was very cinematic and I was fully immersed in the story.
I definitely recommend people pick it up when it's out in October.
I found the cruise ship setting to be unique and it made for a tense, gripping story. Whilst full of action, it also had a lot of suspense and creeping dread. The character dynamics were interesting and well developed. I enjoyed getting multiple perspectives and they were all very distinct. There were twists in this book that I didn't see coming and I was happy to have my expectations subverted.
It was a complete and satisfying story, yet still left a door open for another book in this world, which I would gladly pick up in a heartbeat.
I had so much fun with this book. It was very cinematic and I was fully immersed in the story.
I definitely recommend people pick it up when it's out in October.
July 23, 2026
This debut novel had me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time. The action started way sooner than I anticipated & it literally never stopped. What a dark, twisted read & I loved it.
Thank you to A.J. Wooding for the ARC!
Thank you to A.J. Wooding for the ARC!
September 12, 2026
I received this ARC with my book club and several of us have finished it! I didn’t know what to expect going into this book and I didn’t even read what it was about. I just knew it was about a cruise ship (which I will never be going on now lol)
The action started off quickly and it never let up. It had twists and turns all the way to the last page. I will say I wish we had more of a character development than we did. They were on the cruise ship for so long that I would have liked to know each of the main characters more on a personal level. This would have helped me connect more with the story. For a bit it felt like an actual horror/slasher movie and I could see it playing out in my head veryyy vividly.
I love that it hinted at a sequel at the ending. For a debut novel I was impressed. Would be interested to read more from this author in the future.
The action started off quickly and it never let up. It had twists and turns all the way to the last page. I will say I wish we had more of a character development than we did. They were on the cruise ship for so long that I would have liked to know each of the main characters more on a personal level. This would have helped me connect more with the story. For a bit it felt like an actual horror/slasher movie and I could see it playing out in my head veryyy vividly.
I love that it hinted at a sequel at the ending. For a debut novel I was impressed. Would be interested to read more from this author in the future.
July 28, 2026
Omg I was privileged enough to read an ARC of this book and the whole thing just had me in shock flipping page after page. The epilogue made me “release a breath I didn’t know I was holding” IYKYK 😅 I can’t wait till this comes out and I can get a physical copy for my shelf! And I still think it’s so awesome someone from my home town has published a book! AJ you did a great job and can’t wait for the next one!
September 22, 2026
Loved loved loved this twisty thriller! AJ woofing may be a first time author but this is only the beginning!
Review of advance copy received from Author
RTC!
August 30, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/5 STARS
Folks, I was lucky enough to get an ARC of If They Knew by A.J. Wooding yesterday, and after finishing it, I have one immediate complaint:
A.J. Wooding best be skipping the book tour, because he needs to sit down and start writing the next one. Immediately. 😂
If you look online, reviews are already starting to come in from other lucky ARC readers, and honestly, I completely understand the hype now. Words cannot adequately express how gripping this book is.
I’m going to be deliberately vague here because this is one of those books where you deserve to experience every twist, turn, and WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?! for yourself.
It’s a thriller, so obviously we know things aren’t going to go particularly well. And I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say this is a cruise gone very, very wrong. I mean… have you SEEN the cover? 😂
It begins aboard what sounds like quite possibly the most luxurious cruise ship ever created. In my head, I was picturing Icon of the Seas crossed with the ship from Doctor Odyssey. Basically, give me a cabin key and get out of my way.
And then things go south.
Thus begins the wild ride.
BUT WAIT.
Then things go south AGAIN.
And frankly, calling what follows a “wild ride” feels woefully inadequate. Every time I thought I had my footing, this book basically laughed at me and pulled the floor out from underneath me again.
There are also some fantastic pop-culture references scattered throughout, including a little nod to Walt Disney World that A.J. absolutely knows warmed my Disney-loving heart. 🏰❤️
But most importantly, I DID NOT WANT TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN.
I started reading it last night literally three minutes after logging off work, and this morning(ish), I picked it right back up despite fighting a migraine because apparently I make excellent life choices when books are involved. 😂 YES. IT IS THAT GOOD.
Fast-paced. Gripping. Completely addictive. And absolutely freaking BONKERS in the best possible way.
⭐ 10/5 stars. Mathematics has failed us. ⭐
Get your pre-orders in, folks. You will NOT be sorry.
And A.J.? Seriously. Back to the keyboard. We need the next one. 😂📚🚢💀
Folks, I was lucky enough to get an ARC of If They Knew by A.J. Wooding yesterday, and after finishing it, I have one immediate complaint:
A.J. Wooding best be skipping the book tour, because he needs to sit down and start writing the next one. Immediately. 😂
If you look online, reviews are already starting to come in from other lucky ARC readers, and honestly, I completely understand the hype now. Words cannot adequately express how gripping this book is.
I’m going to be deliberately vague here because this is one of those books where you deserve to experience every twist, turn, and WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?! for yourself.
It’s a thriller, so obviously we know things aren’t going to go particularly well. And I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say this is a cruise gone very, very wrong. I mean… have you SEEN the cover? 😂
It begins aboard what sounds like quite possibly the most luxurious cruise ship ever created. In my head, I was picturing Icon of the Seas crossed with the ship from Doctor Odyssey. Basically, give me a cabin key and get out of my way.
And then things go south.
Thus begins the wild ride.
BUT WAIT.
Then things go south AGAIN.
And frankly, calling what follows a “wild ride” feels woefully inadequate. Every time I thought I had my footing, this book basically laughed at me and pulled the floor out from underneath me again.
There are also some fantastic pop-culture references scattered throughout, including a little nod to Walt Disney World that A.J. absolutely knows warmed my Disney-loving heart. 🏰❤️
But most importantly, I DID NOT WANT TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN.
I started reading it last night literally three minutes after logging off work, and this morning(ish), I picked it right back up despite fighting a migraine because apparently I make excellent life choices when books are involved. 😂 YES. IT IS THAT GOOD.
Fast-paced. Gripping. Completely addictive. And absolutely freaking BONKERS in the best possible way.
⭐ 10/5 stars. Mathematics has failed us. ⭐
Get your pre-orders in, folks. You will NOT be sorry.
And A.J.? Seriously. Back to the keyboard. We need the next one. 😂📚🚢💀
July 29, 2026
I received this as an ARC, during the Lucky 100 🍀 giveaway. Thank you so much to the author for providing me with a copy.
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(If I could rate more stars I would- this book will most definitely be in my top 10 of 2026)
Review - No Spoilers
Holy Cow. This book is a wild ride in the best way. What drew me in was the cover of the book. I love Cruise ships, but I also love when things go bad and a little chaotic. This book also throws in a survival aspect. In which I was sold. The characters were so interesting. I say this because I don’t read many POV books where it’s more than 2, but it worked so good for this book in the best possible way.
In this book, I feel like I was immediately drawn in. In came the action, and everything that followed was - well all I can say without spoiling anything is CHAOS. I read A LOT of thriller, end of the world/dystopian, psychological thrillers but I did not anticipate the ending. I was up until after midnight reading this book. I read this book in roughly 1 day, I was that into it. This is going to be a book I think about 5yrs from now. I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters and even was annoyed with some and their actions (when you read the book you will immediately know who I am talking about)
I did read the triggers before going into the book. So if this will help anyone out if you’re debating on reading it. I read the book and I’m 9 weeks pregnant and nauseous all the time - and this book didn’t make me sick at all. I also don’t have any triggers. Don’t get me wrong, some stuff was gross definitely.. but not enough to make me physically sick. So, I hope that helps.
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(If I could rate more stars I would- this book will most definitely be in my top 10 of 2026)
Review - No Spoilers
Holy Cow. This book is a wild ride in the best way. What drew me in was the cover of the book. I love Cruise ships, but I also love when things go bad and a little chaotic. This book also throws in a survival aspect. In which I was sold. The characters were so interesting. I say this because I don’t read many POV books where it’s more than 2, but it worked so good for this book in the best possible way.
In this book, I feel like I was immediately drawn in. In came the action, and everything that followed was - well all I can say without spoiling anything is CHAOS. I read A LOT of thriller, end of the world/dystopian, psychological thrillers but I did not anticipate the ending. I was up until after midnight reading this book. I read this book in roughly 1 day, I was that into it. This is going to be a book I think about 5yrs from now. I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters and even was annoyed with some and their actions (when you read the book you will immediately know who I am talking about)
I did read the triggers before going into the book. So if this will help anyone out if you’re debating on reading it. I read the book and I’m 9 weeks pregnant and nauseous all the time - and this book didn’t make me sick at all. I also don’t have any triggers. Don’t get me wrong, some stuff was gross definitely.. but not enough to make me physically sick. So, I hope that helps.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to A.J. Wooding for an advanced copy of this title.
I love when a thriller jumps right in, and this book gets to the carnage so fast. Once everything starts unraveling, it doesn’t let up. Being stranded on a cruise ship with no hope of rescue made for the perfect setting for chaos and madness. The story is told from several characters’ POVs, all in the present, with short chapters - but that doesn’t matter because once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down.
The main twist wasn’t anything unique, but I thought it was executed well. More importantly, there was so much else happening that it never felt like the book was built around that one reveal. For me, it almost felt like a bonus side plot within a much bigger story, and I was perfectly happy with that. I also found the characters’ reactions and behavior believable, which made everything easier to buy into rather than feeling like people were making ridiculous decisions just to move the plot along.
And then there’s that ending! I did not see it going the way it did, and I loved where Wooding took it. There is so much left swirling around in my head after finishing this, and I’m already praying there will be a sequel because I am not ready to leave this story behind yet.
If you like chaotic thrillers, stranded-at-sea settings, and unexpected endings, then you will love this book.
Spoilers drop on release day at www.spoiltheplot.com. Until then, explore the site to find your next great thriller!
I love when a thriller jumps right in, and this book gets to the carnage so fast. Once everything starts unraveling, it doesn’t let up. Being stranded on a cruise ship with no hope of rescue made for the perfect setting for chaos and madness. The story is told from several characters’ POVs, all in the present, with short chapters - but that doesn’t matter because once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down.
The main twist wasn’t anything unique, but I thought it was executed well. More importantly, there was so much else happening that it never felt like the book was built around that one reveal. For me, it almost felt like a bonus side plot within a much bigger story, and I was perfectly happy with that. I also found the characters’ reactions and behavior believable, which made everything easier to buy into rather than feeling like people were making ridiculous decisions just to move the plot along.
And then there’s that ending! I did not see it going the way it did, and I loved where Wooding took it. There is so much left swirling around in my head after finishing this, and I’m already praying there will be a sequel because I am not ready to leave this story behind yet.
If you like chaotic thrillers, stranded-at-sea settings, and unexpected endings, then you will love this book.
Spoilers drop on release day at www.spoiltheplot.com. Until then, explore the site to find your next great thriller!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10 STARS!
If They Knew completely sucked me in from the very beginning and never let me go.
Reading this book felt like being thrown into the middle of a stormy ocean. Just when you think the waves are starting to calm down, another one comes crashing over you and leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew.
The twists, turns, secrets, and absolutely unbelievable acts throughout this story take you on one wild ride. Just when you think you've figured out who is behind it all, something happens that makes you question whether you were right all along. And when you think the story couldn't possibly get any more intense, you're hit with a wave of complete and utter shock.
There were so many moments where I was sitting there thinking, "WHAT?! No way!" 😂
The suspense kept me turning page after page because I had to know what was going to happen next. I genuinely could not put this book down.
If you're looking for a book packed with twists, secrets, suspense, and moments that will leave your jaw on the floor, add this one to your TBR immediately!
🌊📖 10/10 stars from me!
This one took me for a ride, tossed me around like a wave, and left me absolutely SHOOK. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If They Knew completely sucked me in from the very beginning and never let me go.
Reading this book felt like being thrown into the middle of a stormy ocean. Just when you think the waves are starting to calm down, another one comes crashing over you and leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew.
The twists, turns, secrets, and absolutely unbelievable acts throughout this story take you on one wild ride. Just when you think you've figured out who is behind it all, something happens that makes you question whether you were right all along. And when you think the story couldn't possibly get any more intense, you're hit with a wave of complete and utter shock.
There were so many moments where I was sitting there thinking, "WHAT?! No way!" 😂
The suspense kept me turning page after page because I had to know what was going to happen next. I genuinely could not put this book down.
If you're looking for a book packed with twists, secrets, suspense, and moments that will leave your jaw on the floor, add this one to your TBR immediately!
🌊📖 10/10 stars from me!
This one took me for a ride, tossed me around like a wave, and left me absolutely SHOOK. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 27, 2026
I received this from the author as an ARC.
I saved it to read while I was on a cruise! I enjoyed the book! Especially the beginning and the end! It starts off with excitement… and it doesn’t really end. I say that, meaning… it’s very chaotic in the middle, that I found myself a little annoyed with the crazy happening non stop. I am a thriller/suspense fanatic, but thought it was a little over the top at times. I did like that it wrapped up nicely at the end though!
I would consider future books by this author.
I saved it to read while I was on a cruise! I enjoyed the book! Especially the beginning and the end! It starts off with excitement… and it doesn’t really end. I say that, meaning… it’s very chaotic in the middle, that I found myself a little annoyed with the crazy happening non stop. I am a thriller/suspense fanatic, but thought it was a little over the top at times. I did like that it wrapped up nicely at the end though!
I would consider future books by this author.
September 25, 2026
An incredible debut novel by AJ Wooding! I was sucked in from the beginning and couldn’t believe how fast paced it started and stayed throughout. Definitely add this to your TBR and keep an eye on this author for what he comes up with next.
Read
September 9, 2026A fantastic 4.5⭐️ read! I had the good fortune to read this as an ARC and am so happy for the opportunity. This story grabbed me from the Prologue and kept me hooked the entire time. Aside from being a thriller, I feel like it could also have a horror classification. I LOVED the ending and can’t wait for Book 2!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW! This book had me hooked from the very beginning with no idea the crazy twists it was going to take. Reading it while on a cruise… 10x better. Can’t wait to see what else is to come from A.J. Wooding!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review: If They Knew
Rating: ★★★★★
Would you have boarded this cruise liner if you knew what was going to happen?
If They Knew is a fast-paced, high-stakes ride from beginning to end. The initial social dynamics gave me serious West Side Story vibes—just without the musical overture! As the situation escalates, it transforms into an intense 'them vs. us' fight for survival. This isn't Lord of the Flies fighting over someone's glasses; this is a raw struggle over the most vital elements of human life: water and food. It’s not necessarily a story about survival of the fittest, but rather survival of the one with the right mix of pluck and pure luck.
The tension in this book ebbs and flows like the tide, lulling you into that false sense of security that thriller writers do so well, right before another cataclysmic catastrophe hits. There is a lot of breath-holding along the way, and at times the atmosphere felt so frigid that my own temperature dropped while reading. The author handles the limits of the human mind and the bleak acts of desperation required for survival with a steady hand. It’s gory and intense, but if you can handle Final Destination or Speed 2, you can handle this!
The description of the cruise liner’s shift from luxury to total decay is epic, and the cast of characters drives the story forward at breakneck speed. Knowing from the prologue how severe the outcome will be doesn't ruin the ride—it just leaves you constantly wondering how it could possibly happen, and holding out hope for the survivors against all odds.
A dramatic, fast-moving maiden voyage for a debut author. Who survives? You'll have to read it yourself to find out—I’m giving nothing away! Good luck to the author on his launch this October!
Rating: ★★★★★
Would you have boarded this cruise liner if you knew what was going to happen?
If They Knew is a fast-paced, high-stakes ride from beginning to end. The initial social dynamics gave me serious West Side Story vibes—just without the musical overture! As the situation escalates, it transforms into an intense 'them vs. us' fight for survival. This isn't Lord of the Flies fighting over someone's glasses; this is a raw struggle over the most vital elements of human life: water and food. It’s not necessarily a story about survival of the fittest, but rather survival of the one with the right mix of pluck and pure luck.
The tension in this book ebbs and flows like the tide, lulling you into that false sense of security that thriller writers do so well, right before another cataclysmic catastrophe hits. There is a lot of breath-holding along the way, and at times the atmosphere felt so frigid that my own temperature dropped while reading. The author handles the limits of the human mind and the bleak acts of desperation required for survival with a steady hand. It’s gory and intense, but if you can handle Final Destination or Speed 2, you can handle this!
The description of the cruise liner’s shift from luxury to total decay is epic, and the cast of characters drives the story forward at breakneck speed. Knowing from the prologue how severe the outcome will be doesn't ruin the ride—it just leaves you constantly wondering how it could possibly happen, and holding out hope for the survivors against all odds.
A dramatic, fast-moving maiden voyage for a debut author. Who survives? You'll have to read it yourself to find out—I’m giving nothing away! Good luck to the author on his launch this October!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to A. J. Wooding for the ARC of this book. I have been dying to read it since I first viewed the cover reveal months ago.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Holy moly, what a ride!!! The compelling premise, well-developed characters, vivid descriptive writing, and sheer entertainment value made this an easy 5-star read for me. From the very beginning, the story hooked me and never let go.
The novel begins by introducing three main characters. Theo is overseeing the training voyage of his family’s new cruise line that his father founded before becoming seriously ill. In hopes that his father would be able to see the ship set sail, the launch date was moved up. But sadly, he passed away before the voyage. Theo’s twin brother, Tyler, and his wife, Julie, join him on the inaugural excursion, which quickly turns into a nightmare when an unexpected storm strikes and everything begins to unravel.
As the story unfolds, we’re introduced to even more characters, each facing unimaginable challenges as they struggle to survive. The author’s descriptive writing makes every character feel authentic and brings the chaos vividly to life. I felt as though I was right there alongside them, experiencing every terrifying moment.
Told through multiple points of view, the pacing never lets up. My heart was racing, my mind was constantly trying to piece together what would happen next, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. This was an intense, edge-of-your-seat read that kept me completely invested from beginning to end. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author!
⭐️This should be on everyone’s TBR when it is released on October 10th!⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
Holy moly, what a ride!!! The compelling premise, well-developed characters, vivid descriptive writing, and sheer entertainment value made this an easy 5-star read for me. From the very beginning, the story hooked me and never let go.
The novel begins by introducing three main characters. Theo is overseeing the training voyage of his family’s new cruise line that his father founded before becoming seriously ill. In hopes that his father would be able to see the ship set sail, the launch date was moved up. But sadly, he passed away before the voyage. Theo’s twin brother, Tyler, and his wife, Julie, join him on the inaugural excursion, which quickly turns into a nightmare when an unexpected storm strikes and everything begins to unravel.
As the story unfolds, we’re introduced to even more characters, each facing unimaginable challenges as they struggle to survive. The author’s descriptive writing makes every character feel authentic and brings the chaos vividly to life. I felt as though I was right there alongside them, experiencing every terrifying moment.
Told through multiple points of view, the pacing never lets up. My heart was racing, my mind was constantly trying to piece together what would happen next, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. This was an intense, edge-of-your-seat read that kept me completely invested from beginning to end. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author!
⭐️This should be on everyone’s TBR when it is released on October 10th!⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
A.J. so kindly did some ARC giveaways in his group on fb and I was able to get one there, I really appreciate it and have been looking forward to reading this one!!
Sadly, I did not love it as much as many others who have read it, but as a reader I loathe seeing every ARC review saying how much they absolutely loved a book and how it was just so amazing - it feels disingenuous.
The story - great concept, the writing is good and absolutely better than some other 1st books I've read and I look forward to seeing more from our author. But A.J., the characters??? If this was a reddit AITA, verdict would be that ESH 😂These people are pretty much awful across the board, granted we're getting to know them in a terrible time, but there was maybe 1 person I would have been sad to see die when their time came. This story is told through multiple POV, which I don't mind, sometimes I really that a story is told that way, and I feel like it worked very well for this story. I didn't have any points that I forgot who we were hearing from, things didn't get confusing, and with the action in this story I think that was probably the best way to have told it.
I'm going to just throw a spoiler warning now, please do not read further if you'd like to avoid spoilers or possible ones.
It's wild to me that Theo was clueless on how unfinished the boat was until they were already out on the water and having problems. You would think he'd have been more aware of the progress on it and where they were in being ready, before loading up the boat for a trip. And leaving without knowing where the emergency boats were??
There were some odd timeline things for me too, we have a major conflict between characters, with one saying he's going to kill another, and then it's just suddenly we jump a few months and nothing has happened in the meantime, we've all been just living together in tiny spaces without another confrontation or worse? The worse does come, but with the level of issues between them, the fact that nothing happened for months wasn't believable.
I did like that we started off with an unknown characters POV, all you knew was that they made it through the whole ordeal, I had a good guess on who it was and the story did come back around to reveal it in the end - and then some. The ending wrapped things up well.
Sadly, I did not love it as much as many others who have read it, but as a reader I loathe seeing every ARC review saying how much they absolutely loved a book and how it was just so amazing - it feels disingenuous.
The story - great concept, the writing is good and absolutely better than some other 1st books I've read and I look forward to seeing more from our author. But A.J., the characters??? If this was a reddit AITA, verdict would be that ESH 😂These people are pretty much awful across the board, granted we're getting to know them in a terrible time, but there was maybe 1 person I would have been sad to see die when their time came. This story is told through multiple POV, which I don't mind, sometimes I really that a story is told that way, and I feel like it worked very well for this story. I didn't have any points that I forgot who we were hearing from, things didn't get confusing, and with the action in this story I think that was probably the best way to have told it.
I'm going to just throw a spoiler warning now, please do not read further if you'd like to avoid spoilers or possible ones.
It's wild to me that Theo was clueless on how unfinished the boat was until they were already out on the water and having problems. You would think he'd have been more aware of the progress on it and where they were in being ready, before loading up the boat for a trip. And leaving without knowing where the emergency boats were??
There were some odd timeline things for me too, we have a major conflict between characters, with one saying he's going to kill another, and then it's just suddenly we jump a few months and nothing has happened in the meantime, we've all been just living together in tiny spaces without another confrontation or worse? The worse does come, but with the level of issues between them, the fact that nothing happened for months wasn't believable.
I did like that we started off with an unknown characters POV, all you knew was that they made it through the whole ordeal, I had a good guess on who it was and the story did come back around to reveal it in the end - and then some. The ending wrapped things up well.
September 11, 2026
WOW. Just WOW. 😱📚
A. J. Wooding’s debut thriller is hands down the best book I have read this year!
From the very first chapter, I was completely HOOKED. I was reading so fast, desperate to find out what was going to happen next, that I actually had to force myself slow down because I was on vacation and I didn’t want this book to end! 😭
And the twists?! 🤯 So many twists and turns that my head was spinning. Every time I thought I had things figured out, the story took me somewhere completely unexpected. That ending absolutely got me. I NEVER saw it coming!
Then I reached the Part Two page:
“Five months drifting. I almost died!”
😳😳😳
EXCUSE ME?!?!
At that point, I knew there was no putting this book down.
There was truly never a dull moment. The story is packed with characters, and I found myself completely invested in so many of them (well… everyone except Logan! 😂). What really stood out to me was how real the characters felt. Their reactions, their choices, their fears, and the way they handled an unimaginable situation had me constantly thinking about what I would do if I were in their position.
That’s what made this thriller so special to me. It wasn’t just suspense and action—it was thought-provoking, emotional, unpredictable, and incredibly unique.
A. J. Wooding has created something seriously special with this debut. The writing pulled me in, the story stayed with me, and the characters felt so real that I didn’t want to say goodbye.
I NEED ANOTHER BOOK FROM THIS AUTHOR! 🙌 And please, please let there be a sequel because I am absolutely not ready to let this story go! 🙏📖
A huge thank-you to A. J. Wooding for giving me the opportunity to read this book before publication. What a privilege—and what a debut! ❤️
This author is definitely one to watch. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
And honestly? This is one of those rare books that I already know I’ll reread.
A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A. J. Wooding’s debut thriller is hands down the best book I have read this year!
From the very first chapter, I was completely HOOKED. I was reading so fast, desperate to find out what was going to happen next, that I actually had to force myself slow down because I was on vacation and I didn’t want this book to end! 😭
And the twists?! 🤯 So many twists and turns that my head was spinning. Every time I thought I had things figured out, the story took me somewhere completely unexpected. That ending absolutely got me. I NEVER saw it coming!
Then I reached the Part Two page:
“Five months drifting. I almost died!”
😳😳😳
EXCUSE ME?!?!
At that point, I knew there was no putting this book down.
There was truly never a dull moment. The story is packed with characters, and I found myself completely invested in so many of them (well… everyone except Logan! 😂). What really stood out to me was how real the characters felt. Their reactions, their choices, their fears, and the way they handled an unimaginable situation had me constantly thinking about what I would do if I were in their position.
That’s what made this thriller so special to me. It wasn’t just suspense and action—it was thought-provoking, emotional, unpredictable, and incredibly unique.
A. J. Wooding has created something seriously special with this debut. The writing pulled me in, the story stayed with me, and the characters felt so real that I didn’t want to say goodbye.
I NEED ANOTHER BOOK FROM THIS AUTHOR! 🙌 And please, please let there be a sequel because I am absolutely not ready to let this story go! 🙏📖
A huge thank-you to A. J. Wooding for giving me the opportunity to read this book before publication. What a privilege—and what a debut! ❤️
This author is definitely one to watch. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
And honestly? This is one of those rare books that I already know I’ll reread.
A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
IF THEY KNEW by A.J. Wooding— Author.
Release Date: October 2026
Rating: ★★★★☆
I was lucky enough to win a competition to ARC-read this book and, in return, was asked to leave an HONEST review.
Firstly, this is A.J. Wooding's DEBUT novel.
Could I tell? Absolutely not!
The cover immediately caught my attention, and after a short but effective prologue, I was completely hooked. The writing is vivid and immersive, making it easy to picture every location and feel as though you're experiencing events alongside the characters.
Despite being 363 pages long, the story never felt repetitive. The plot kept moving forward, and the unique, memorable characters were developed through their personalities and actions rather than lengthy descriptions, which I really enjoyed - a clever approach that allows readers to create their own vision of each character. It would also make casting for a film adaptation easy, with plenty of fantastic possibilities. And honestly, this would make a cracking film!
There are some trigger warnings to be aware of, and some readers may feel it borders on horror. However, regular thriller or horror readers are unlikely to find it too much.
Was I blown away by the ending? No. But it was satisfying, fitting, and didn't take away from an otherwise excellent read.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced thrillers. If this is what A.J. Wooding can produce with a debut novel, I can't wait to read what comes next!
Thank you, Mr Wooding. It was a pleasure.
Release Date: October 2026
Rating: ★★★★☆
I was lucky enough to win a competition to ARC-read this book and, in return, was asked to leave an HONEST review.
Firstly, this is A.J. Wooding's DEBUT novel.
Could I tell? Absolutely not!
The cover immediately caught my attention, and after a short but effective prologue, I was completely hooked. The writing is vivid and immersive, making it easy to picture every location and feel as though you're experiencing events alongside the characters.
Despite being 363 pages long, the story never felt repetitive. The plot kept moving forward, and the unique, memorable characters were developed through their personalities and actions rather than lengthy descriptions, which I really enjoyed - a clever approach that allows readers to create their own vision of each character. It would also make casting for a film adaptation easy, with plenty of fantastic possibilities. And honestly, this would make a cracking film!
There are some trigger warnings to be aware of, and some readers may feel it borders on horror. However, regular thriller or horror readers are unlikely to find it too much.
Was I blown away by the ending? No. But it was satisfying, fitting, and didn't take away from an otherwise excellent read.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced thrillers. If this is what A.J. Wooding can produce with a debut novel, I can't wait to read what comes next!
Thank you, Mr Wooding. It was a pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh. My. Word. I absolutely devoured this book! If I did not already know this was the author's debut novel, I would have never been able to tell. He was able to create such vivid imagery of the cruise ship and the horror that occurred that I felt like I was watching a movie inside my mind. Every time the creak of the swinging rope or the creak of a door was described, I swear I could hear it in the room I was in and instantly gave me chills. All the smells made me almost gag and the freezing temperatures made me pull a blanket around me closer (even though it's still 90 degrees outside!).
I loved the multiple point of views and the fact that you quickly learned to not trust any of the narrators. By having multiple POV's, you truly got an in-depth perspective of what was happening on the ship. The writing was so smooth and never confusing even when switching between characters.
The twists and turns kept me on my toes throughout the entire book. Even when I thought I knew what was coming, I never did guess the full scope of the twists. Absolutely loved that! As for the final twist, I seriously hope there is a second book coming! More answers are needed!
I am so happy that I purchased the Collector's Edition and grateful that I was able to receive my copy before the release date. This book did not disappoint in the slightest!! It will take me awhile to gain my landlegs again after getting off the Parrish Cruise Lines and make me question about ever booking a cruise again. ⭐️10/5 stars!⭐️
I loved the multiple point of views and the fact that you quickly learned to not trust any of the narrators. By having multiple POV's, you truly got an in-depth perspective of what was happening on the ship. The writing was so smooth and never confusing even when switching between characters.
The twists and turns kept me on my toes throughout the entire book. Even when I thought I knew what was coming, I never did guess the full scope of the twists. Absolutely loved that! As for the final twist, I seriously hope there is a second book coming! More answers are needed!
I am so happy that I purchased the Collector's Edition and grateful that I was able to receive my copy before the release date. This book did not disappoint in the slightest!! It will take me awhile to gain my landlegs again after getting off the Parrish Cruise Lines and make me question about ever booking a cruise again. ⭐️10/5 stars!⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so lucky to be one of the few people selected as an ARC reader for A.J. Wooding— Author. debut novel, If They Knew.
First of all, the cover art was incredible. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be a must read!
The prologue hooked me right away. It was intriguing and immediately grabbed my attention. The story started with plenty of action, and the suspense just kept building. There was so much detail about the boat that I could picture everything so vividly. I felt like I was really there! Pace yourself and really take it all in—you’re not going to want to miss any of the action.
The character development was well done, and you really got to know each character and their quirks. I could identify with a few of them and found several of them relatable. There was chaos happening all around, and I found myself hoping my favourite characters would survive. I kept wanting to read “just one more chapter”!
If you enjoy fast-paced books with plenty of action, strong characters, and suspenseful survival stories—and don’t mind a little gore—you’ll enjoy If They Knew.
A. J. Wooding definitely has the ability to keep readers engaged and on edge from beginning to end. He nailed it! The book left me wanting more (fingers crossed there’s another one!).
The book is released officially in October!
First of all, the cover art was incredible. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be a must read!
The prologue hooked me right away. It was intriguing and immediately grabbed my attention. The story started with plenty of action, and the suspense just kept building. There was so much detail about the boat that I could picture everything so vividly. I felt like I was really there! Pace yourself and really take it all in—you’re not going to want to miss any of the action.
The character development was well done, and you really got to know each character and their quirks. I could identify with a few of them and found several of them relatable. There was chaos happening all around, and I found myself hoping my favourite characters would survive. I kept wanting to read “just one more chapter”!
If you enjoy fast-paced books with plenty of action, strong characters, and suspenseful survival stories—and don’t mind a little gore—you’ll enjoy If They Knew.
A. J. Wooding definitely has the ability to keep readers engaged and on edge from beginning to end. He nailed it! The book left me wanting more (fingers crossed there’s another one!).
The book is released officially in October!
July 31, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC
Omg I loved this read! We have several ‘main’ characters and the book is told from different points of view but the central main character is Theo. He’s an officer on board the ship but is also the owner of the cruise line after his father passed away. They are doing a test sailing which they had brought forward in the hope that his father would be able to make it but sadly he passed beforehand. The ship isn’t fully finished but it is only crew and the guests are friends and family of the crew so it doesn’t matter that it’s not fully done right?
Theo’s guests are his wife Julie and his twin brother Tyler, they don’t really get on but try to be nice to each other for Theo’s sake. Add in a very unexpected storm, an explosion and chaos ensues and it is BRILLIANT!! It had me gripped from the get go as I just had no idea where it was going and what was going to happen along the way! And I can honestly say that I wasn’t disappointed! There were twists and turns that I didn’t see coming right up until the very end.
I love cruising and the way it was written made me really feel like I could be on board with them with the descriptions. And that ending - I just loved it! I don’t recommend starting this if you have things to do as there is no way you will get them done as you won’t be able to put it down!!
Omg I loved this read! We have several ‘main’ characters and the book is told from different points of view but the central main character is Theo. He’s an officer on board the ship but is also the owner of the cruise line after his father passed away. They are doing a test sailing which they had brought forward in the hope that his father would be able to make it but sadly he passed beforehand. The ship isn’t fully finished but it is only crew and the guests are friends and family of the crew so it doesn’t matter that it’s not fully done right?
Theo’s guests are his wife Julie and his twin brother Tyler, they don’t really get on but try to be nice to each other for Theo’s sake. Add in a very unexpected storm, an explosion and chaos ensues and it is BRILLIANT!! It had me gripped from the get go as I just had no idea where it was going and what was going to happen along the way! And I can honestly say that I wasn’t disappointed! There were twists and turns that I didn’t see coming right up until the very end.
I love cruising and the way it was written made me really feel like I could be on board with them with the descriptions. And that ending - I just loved it! I don’t recommend starting this if you have things to do as there is no way you will get them done as you won’t be able to put it down!!
July 29, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely relentless from beginning to end!
When I saw the cover to this book. I knew I had to read it. I was VERY lucky to be given an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC)
(Thank you!!!! )
If They Knew completely exceeded my expectations. The premise alone had me hooked—a stranded cruise ship left drifting for months—but I wasn’t prepared for just how intense this story would become.
This book is packed with nonstop action, shocking twists, and plenty of blood and gore. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another surprise came along. It never slowed down, and I found myself saying, “Just one more chapter,” until I finished it.
If you’re a fan of thriller and horror novels that keep you on the edge of your seat, this is absolutely one to add to your reading list. The tension is constant, the survival aspects are gripping, and the twists are genuinely unexpected.
The ending was perfect—satisfying while still leaving me wanting more. The teaser at the end was the icing on the cake and has me excited for AJ woodings next book.
I highly recommend If They Knew to anyone who enjoys fast-paced, suspenseful horror thrillers with unforgettable twists. Five stars all the way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When I saw the cover to this book. I knew I had to read it. I was VERY lucky to be given an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC)
(Thank you!!!! )
If They Knew completely exceeded my expectations. The premise alone had me hooked—a stranded cruise ship left drifting for months—but I wasn’t prepared for just how intense this story would become.
This book is packed with nonstop action, shocking twists, and plenty of blood and gore. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another surprise came along. It never slowed down, and I found myself saying, “Just one more chapter,” until I finished it.
If you’re a fan of thriller and horror novels that keep you on the edge of your seat, this is absolutely one to add to your reading list. The tension is constant, the survival aspects are gripping, and the twists are genuinely unexpected.
The ending was perfect—satisfying while still leaving me wanting more. The teaser at the end was the icing on the cake and has me excited for AJ woodings next book.
I highly recommend If They Knew to anyone who enjoys fast-paced, suspenseful horror thrillers with unforgettable twists. Five stars all the way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 29, 2026
Words are hard to find after finishing this 5-star read.
From the very beginning, this book reminded me of reading a Freida McFadden novel. There were moments that had me so frustrated I wanted to put the book down—but at the same time, I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know if everything would play out the way I was hoping. More than once I caught myself thinking, “Why on earth are people believing this?!” (If you know, you know.)
The plot twists were absolutely impeccable. The intensity kicked in early and never let up. At no point did the story lose momentum or make me feel like I was waiting forever for the suspense to build again. I’m actually glad I took my time reading it because I knew the moment I finished, I’d be left completely shattered.
I’m so honored to have received an ARC of this book. I’ve been following A.J. and eagerly waiting for this release for months, so getting the opportunity to read it early was incredibly special. I already can’t wait to see what A.J. writes next, and I hope to be a forever A.J. Wooding ARC reader!
Thank you, A.J., for such an unforgettable story. This novel is truly a work of art. I can’t wait to add the physical copy to my bookshelf and revisit it again and again.
From the very beginning, this book reminded me of reading a Freida McFadden novel. There were moments that had me so frustrated I wanted to put the book down—but at the same time, I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know if everything would play out the way I was hoping. More than once I caught myself thinking, “Why on earth are people believing this?!” (If you know, you know.)
The plot twists were absolutely impeccable. The intensity kicked in early and never let up. At no point did the story lose momentum or make me feel like I was waiting forever for the suspense to build again. I’m actually glad I took my time reading it because I knew the moment I finished, I’d be left completely shattered.
I’m so honored to have received an ARC of this book. I’ve been following A.J. and eagerly waiting for this release for months, so getting the opportunity to read it early was incredibly special. I already can’t wait to see what A.J. writes next, and I hope to be a forever A.J. Wooding ARC reader!
Thank you, A.J., for such an unforgettable story. This novel is truly a work of art. I can’t wait to add the physical copy to my bookshelf and revisit it again and again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Honestly, the cover is what caught my eye first. Put a cruise ship in a thriller and I’m immediately sold. Getting my hands on an ARC of If They Knew was a total dream, but actually reading it? Absolute chaos in the absolute best way possible.
My heart was racing from start to finish. The pacing in this book is relentless. Just when you think the characters finally have a situation under control, another disaster strikes. Before you know it, multiple dilemmas are spiraling out of control all at once. I was literally just lying there completely stressed out, unable to put it down.
A.J. Wooding’s writing is so visual. It totally takes over your imagination, and it honestly feels tailored for a movie adaptation.
I’m genuinely sad I finished it so fast. You know that rare feeling where you desperately wish you could wipe your memory just to experience a book for the first time again? That’s where I’m at right now. October can’t come fast enough so everyone else can finally read it. In the meantime, I’ll be eagerly waiting for whatever he writes next.
Will this stop me from going on my next cruise? Absolutely not. But I’ll definitely be brushing up on my survival skills before stepping foot on the deck!
My heart was racing from start to finish. The pacing in this book is relentless. Just when you think the characters finally have a situation under control, another disaster strikes. Before you know it, multiple dilemmas are spiraling out of control all at once. I was literally just lying there completely stressed out, unable to put it down.
A.J. Wooding’s writing is so visual. It totally takes over your imagination, and it honestly feels tailored for a movie adaptation.
I’m genuinely sad I finished it so fast. You know that rare feeling where you desperately wish you could wipe your memory just to experience a book for the first time again? That’s where I’m at right now. October can’t come fast enough so everyone else can finally read it. In the meantime, I’ll be eagerly waiting for whatever he writes next.
Will this stop me from going on my next cruise? Absolutely not. But I’ll definitely be brushing up on my survival skills before stepping foot on the deck!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This was honestly the first book I’ve read where I could truly picture the entire thing playing out as a movie in my head. It was SO cinematic, and I was hooked from the very beginning. The action starts quickly and it had my attention the entire time.
You literally cannot trust anyone in this book. I spent so much time questioning everyone’s motives and trying to figure out who was actually looking out for everyone and who was only looking out for themselves. There are several surprises that I REALLY wish I could talk about, but this is definitely one you want to go into without spoilers.
What I loved most was how much it made me think about what I would do in their situation. Imagine being lost at sea, waking up every day hoping that help is finally coming, while having absolutely no idea who around you you can actually trust. Do people stay loyal and work together? Do they turn on each other? How much can a situation like this change someone?
This was fast-paced, suspenseful, unpredictable, and genuinely so much fun to read. There were several moments that completely caught me off guard, and I loved never really knowing where the story was going next.
And after that ending?! I am PRAYING there’s a book two because I need more!
You literally cannot trust anyone in this book. I spent so much time questioning everyone’s motives and trying to figure out who was actually looking out for everyone and who was only looking out for themselves. There are several surprises that I REALLY wish I could talk about, but this is definitely one you want to go into without spoilers.
What I loved most was how much it made me think about what I would do in their situation. Imagine being lost at sea, waking up every day hoping that help is finally coming, while having absolutely no idea who around you you can actually trust. Do people stay loyal and work together? Do they turn on each other? How much can a situation like this change someone?
This was fast-paced, suspenseful, unpredictable, and genuinely so much fun to read. There were several moments that completely caught me off guard, and I loved never really knowing where the story was going next.
And after that ending?! I am PRAYING there’s a book two because I need more!
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