What do you think?
Girls Will Be Girls: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 6 Apr 27From the author of the Good Morning America Book Club pick Count My Lies, soon to be a Hulu series starring Lindsay Lohan and Shailene Woodley, comes a sharply addictive novel about a woman desperate to infiltrate an exclusive circle of mothers—until she realizes their magnetic ringleader has a dangerous game of her own.
Mallory Greene is drowning in her new normal: new house, new coast, young kids, and a husband who’s become increasingly distant. Which is why the Sweet Hill moms are so important.
Mallory’s heard the rumors—they’re exclusive, ruthless, and powerful enough to make or break anyone in town. So when their charismatic leader, Natalie, finally takes notice of her, Mallory is thrilled. For the first time in months, she feels seen.
Mallory soon learns that the Sweet Hill moms play a private game they call “confessions” at their evening gatherings, each woman revealing a secret the others could destroy her with. It’s intoxicating. And cruel. Mallory, with secrets of her own, must decide who she can trust and what she should reveal, including the real reason she wanted to join the Sweet Hill circle.
But as her friendships with the women deepen, Mallory begins to suspect she wasn’t invited into the circle at random. Someone wants her right where she is, and what she thought was a game is something far more deadly. Mallory will have to choose where her loyalties lie—and what she’s willing to do to prove it.
Mallory Greene is drowning in her new normal: new house, new coast, young kids, and a husband who’s become increasingly distant. Which is why the Sweet Hill moms are so important.
Mallory’s heard the rumors—they’re exclusive, ruthless, and powerful enough to make or break anyone in town. So when their charismatic leader, Natalie, finally takes notice of her, Mallory is thrilled. For the first time in months, she feels seen.
Mallory soon learns that the Sweet Hill moms play a private game they call “confessions” at their evening gatherings, each woman revealing a secret the others could destroy her with. It’s intoxicating. And cruel. Mallory, with secrets of her own, must decide who she can trust and what she should reveal, including the real reason she wanted to join the Sweet Hill circle.
But as her friendships with the women deepen, Mallory begins to suspect she wasn’t invited into the circle at random. Someone wants her right where she is, and what she thought was a game is something far more deadly. Mallory will have to choose where her loyalties lie—and what she’s willing to do to prove it.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 6, 2027
About the author
Sophie Stava
5 books1,134 followersSophie Stava received her BA in English literature from UC Santa Barbara. She currently resides in Southern California with her family. COUNT MY LIES is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Maybe, if you think about it, I'm not the deer. Maybe I'm the hunter. It wouldn't be the first time.
The thought makes me smile."
This story was wild and entertaining, engrossing and captivating, and a fantastic way to spend a rainy weekend on your couch with some hot coco.
On the surface level, there's so much about girl power and friendships, and that popular "Bad Moms" energy but on closer inspection it's also a story about standing up for yourself and finding your voice, even if sometimes that means surrounding yourself with the right people first.
Sophie Stava's writing has such an easy and effortless flow to it, weaving chapters together one after another until you realize she's pulled you so deep into her world of mischief that you start questioning your own mom friends.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the chance to read this ARC. I'm looking forward to reading Count My Lies next!
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The thought makes me smile."
This story was wild and entertaining, engrossing and captivating, and a fantastic way to spend a rainy weekend on your couch with some hot coco.
On the surface level, there's so much about girl power and friendships, and that popular "Bad Moms" energy but on closer inspection it's also a story about standing up for yourself and finding your voice, even if sometimes that means surrounding yourself with the right people first.
Sophie Stava's writing has such an easy and effortless flow to it, weaving chapters together one after another until you realize she's pulled you so deep into her world of mischief that you start questioning your own mom friends.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the chance to read this ARC. I'm looking forward to reading Count My Lies next!
----------
Follow for more of my reviews:
TikTok
Want to Read
September 9, 2026I loved Count My Lies! Can't wait to read this one! Pub date: 04/2027
September 14, 2026
Girls Will Be Girls was so messy and twisty in the best way. Wealthy neighborhood moms, complicated friendships, dark secrets, and revenge? Yes please. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something else was revealed. Such a fun, addictive thriller!
September 7, 2026
I loooved this one! Sophie Stava’s sophomore book didn’t disappoint. It was giving big little lies in the best way possible. Can’t wait to see what she writes next.
Thanks NetGalley and Dutton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks NetGalley and Dutton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
* thanks to Dutton for the NetGalley review copy (pub date: April 5, 2027)
I hadn’t read anything by Sophie Stava before this, but just downloaded a copy of Count My Lies that I’ll be reading soon because I enjoyed this fast-paced, lightly twisty thriller so much.
Was this groundbreaking or mind-blowing? No, but I was in the mood for something quick and vengeful and easy to digest, and this delivered. i loved the dual perspectives that gave some clues about what was going on without giving the whole thing up from the get-go — I feel like this style is what FMcF *tries* to do, but has been done so much better here.
I will say that the “confessions” part was weird and felt kind of unnecessary— ladies, you can just have a drink with your friends and do some chitchatting and let it all out without getting all culty, but you do you. Definitely will be recommending we stock this in the store and will be pointing my thriller lovers to it (especially next summer because this is a perfect vacation/beach/poolside read).
I hadn’t read anything by Sophie Stava before this, but just downloaded a copy of Count My Lies that I’ll be reading soon because I enjoyed this fast-paced, lightly twisty thriller so much.
Was this groundbreaking or mind-blowing? No, but I was in the mood for something quick and vengeful and easy to digest, and this delivered. i loved the dual perspectives that gave some clues about what was going on without giving the whole thing up from the get-go — I feel like this style is what FMcF *tries* to do, but has been done so much better here.
I will say that the “confessions” part was weird and felt kind of unnecessary— ladies, you can just have a drink with your friends and do some chitchatting and let it all out without getting all culty, but you do you. Definitely will be recommending we stock this in the store and will be pointing my thriller lovers to it (especially next summer because this is a perfect vacation/beach/poolside read).
September 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this ARC.
This was so good! I finished it in less than 24 hours because I could not put it down. Very addictive writing style and it wasn’t repetitive at all, which I feel like a majority of “thriller” books are. Unexpected twists and an ending that I loved.
This was so good! I finished it in less than 24 hours because I could not put it down. Very addictive writing style and it wasn’t repetitive at all, which I feel like a majority of “thriller” books are. Unexpected twists and an ending that I loved.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mallory, an overwhelmed stay at home mother of two children 4 and 2 years old, is sleep deprived and is responsible for all the care of the home, the kids and has recently moved across the country to live in the house her husband Graham inherited after his mother passed away a few months ago. She’s grappling with loneliness and while she absolutely loves her children and would walk to the ends of the Earth for them, she doesn’t feel the same way about her husband. She has found out he’s been having an affair and has been checked out of their life, marriage and family for years.
Sweet Hill, the area in Massachusetts that’s an affluent town and ideal place to raise her kids also has a group of moms that she’s been following on Instagram and has been planning methodically how to make her way into their perfectly curated lives and tight foursome for months. When she receives a message from Natalie, the one clearly the leader of the group, she responds to her invite for drinks with an ecstatic yes. All four of the original Sweet Hill women are beautiful, have an effortless style that’s always impeccable and on point, their nails manicured and polished veneer that’s draws everyone around them towards them but it seems they never let anyone in. Mallory has her own underlying reasons for wanting to infiltrate the friendship between Natalie, Gemma, Ivy and Lila. What she doesn’t know is that they too, have their reasons for inviting her in. Although she is warned by a friendly mother from her son’s school to steer clear from the Sweet Hill moms, the warnings of their cruelty and savage nature towards other women and their children falls on deaf ears. She’s too invested in getting closer to the one whose been keeping her husband’s cellphone blowing up every night. Convinced of an affair between them, she’s determined to take from this woman what’s most important, which is this friendship between the women. As she begins to know them better, she finds out that what she thought she knew was completely wrong and the truth is even worse than she could’ve imagined. As she makes her decisions about her future and if she’ll still be a part of this group that she’s come to know and understand much better now knowing the truth and answers to the manipulative and cruel behavior that she had been warned about and had even witnessed herself on multiple occasions directed towards others, she will be forced to ask herself if she is like the Sweet Hill moms and could she trust to bring them into her personal life, with her secrets and children. With Wednesday night “Forgive me Father for I have sinned” confessional nights, all their secrets and sinful retribution towards those who may have slighted themselves or their children or anyone they love are told with unabashed satisfaction and glee. Some of these confessionals are wicked and sound unhinged to Mallory in the beginning but with her renewed clarity and revelations she discovers in a locked box in Natalie’s office she will find her answer regarding her marriage, her allegiance and where she’ll choose to go once the dust settles.
I was enthralled by the intensity of Mallory’s and Natalie’s interaction with one another and both of the clever cunning methodical personalities that were extremely different yet very much the same on various levels specifically in regard to revenge and retribution when they or their loved ones have been wronged. Their ability to hold on to and feed their grudges and long memory mirror one another’s in the intensity and obsessive nature that rivaled none. As the anticipation ramps up and these women circle one another, each with an end goal in mind that doesn’t seem like it will bode well for either of them I couldn’t read quick enough. I was completely invested in the outcome and I was also genuinely attached to all four of the women and their devotion to one another. Not sure if the devotion was surface level or actually as deep and genuine as it appeared was a question I was in dire need to know and made the plot twists and slow burning revelations that more compelling each time more of the plot played out. The lead up to the climatic events that will answer all the mysterious questions about the Sweet Hill four now five with Mallory joining the group is delightful and deliciously entertaining. With five women who all have individual personalities and fearless personalities when banded together there’s bound to be explosive bombshells being dropped regularly and this book doesn’t disappoint and has the bombshells at the ready.
Totally fell in love with these women, their personalities and clever wit. While their vengeance was beyond the extreme, one can’t help to cheerlead their efforts and wish those with targets on their back their very best luck as they will need it and a whole lot more if they’ve any hope of surviving the fall out from these women. They are ruthlessly cut throat and don’t bat an extended eyelash when delivering their rapid fire responses to those foolish enough to get in their line of sight let alone fire.
Such a fun experience and highly recommend!
Thank you to #Netgalley for this Advanced Reading Copy, to #SophieStava for such a brilliant book and clever insight into the wrath of a scorned women and for sharing #GirlsWillBeGirls with us readers! Thank you also to #Dutton Publishers for the ARC.
Sweet Hill, the area in Massachusetts that’s an affluent town and ideal place to raise her kids also has a group of moms that she’s been following on Instagram and has been planning methodically how to make her way into their perfectly curated lives and tight foursome for months. When she receives a message from Natalie, the one clearly the leader of the group, she responds to her invite for drinks with an ecstatic yes. All four of the original Sweet Hill women are beautiful, have an effortless style that’s always impeccable and on point, their nails manicured and polished veneer that’s draws everyone around them towards them but it seems they never let anyone in. Mallory has her own underlying reasons for wanting to infiltrate the friendship between Natalie, Gemma, Ivy and Lila. What she doesn’t know is that they too, have their reasons for inviting her in. Although she is warned by a friendly mother from her son’s school to steer clear from the Sweet Hill moms, the warnings of their cruelty and savage nature towards other women and their children falls on deaf ears. She’s too invested in getting closer to the one whose been keeping her husband’s cellphone blowing up every night. Convinced of an affair between them, she’s determined to take from this woman what’s most important, which is this friendship between the women. As she begins to know them better, she finds out that what she thought she knew was completely wrong and the truth is even worse than she could’ve imagined. As she makes her decisions about her future and if she’ll still be a part of this group that she’s come to know and understand much better now knowing the truth and answers to the manipulative and cruel behavior that she had been warned about and had even witnessed herself on multiple occasions directed towards others, she will be forced to ask herself if she is like the Sweet Hill moms and could she trust to bring them into her personal life, with her secrets and children. With Wednesday night “Forgive me Father for I have sinned” confessional nights, all their secrets and sinful retribution towards those who may have slighted themselves or their children or anyone they love are told with unabashed satisfaction and glee. Some of these confessionals are wicked and sound unhinged to Mallory in the beginning but with her renewed clarity and revelations she discovers in a locked box in Natalie’s office she will find her answer regarding her marriage, her allegiance and where she’ll choose to go once the dust settles.
I was enthralled by the intensity of Mallory’s and Natalie’s interaction with one another and both of the clever cunning methodical personalities that were extremely different yet very much the same on various levels specifically in regard to revenge and retribution when they or their loved ones have been wronged. Their ability to hold on to and feed their grudges and long memory mirror one another’s in the intensity and obsessive nature that rivaled none. As the anticipation ramps up and these women circle one another, each with an end goal in mind that doesn’t seem like it will bode well for either of them I couldn’t read quick enough. I was completely invested in the outcome and I was also genuinely attached to all four of the women and their devotion to one another. Not sure if the devotion was surface level or actually as deep and genuine as it appeared was a question I was in dire need to know and made the plot twists and slow burning revelations that more compelling each time more of the plot played out. The lead up to the climatic events that will answer all the mysterious questions about the Sweet Hill four now five with Mallory joining the group is delightful and deliciously entertaining. With five women who all have individual personalities and fearless personalities when banded together there’s bound to be explosive bombshells being dropped regularly and this book doesn’t disappoint and has the bombshells at the ready.
Totally fell in love with these women, their personalities and clever wit. While their vengeance was beyond the extreme, one can’t help to cheerlead their efforts and wish those with targets on their back their very best luck as they will need it and a whole lot more if they’ve any hope of surviving the fall out from these women. They are ruthlessly cut throat and don’t bat an extended eyelash when delivering their rapid fire responses to those foolish enough to get in their line of sight let alone fire.
Such a fun experience and highly recommend!
Thank you to #Netgalley for this Advanced Reading Copy, to #SophieStava for such a brilliant book and clever insight into the wrath of a scorned women and for sharing #GirlsWillBeGirls with us readers! Thank you also to #Dutton Publishers for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝑰𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓... 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔." — 𝑬𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔, 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒂.
No sophomore slump here, folks. This book had TEETH, and its bites were fierce. I was immediately sucked into Mallory's world as she tried to navigate a new house, a new coast, two kids, and a husband who seems to think doing the absolute bare minimum qualifies as parenting. I was laughing early on when Mallory's young son gleefully repeated a word no small child should be saying because I have LIVED through that particular brand of parenting humiliation.
What really grabbed me at first, though, was how desperately Mallory wanted to belong. She had heard all about the Sweet Hill moms. They were exclusive, ruthless, and powerful enough to make or break anyone in town, so when their charismatic leader Natalie finally took notice of her, Mallory was thrilled. For the first time in months, she felt seen. And listen, making friends as an adult is HARD. Sometimes you will convince yourself that you need to be friends with people just because they invited you to sit at their table—never mind they should probably come with a warning label. Then Mallory learns about their private game of "confessions," where the women trade secrets that could destroy one another. Intoxicating? Absolutely. Cruel? Oh, HELL yes. And Mallory has secrets of her own, including the real reason she wanted into that circle in the first place.
But then the narrative kept twisting, peeling back another layer, and revealing more horrific, juicy details. With every new chapter, I found myself whispering, "What in the actual f*ck" so many times I lost count. I am not telling you a damn thing about where this goes because watching those layers come off was half the fun. This book starts with something familiar and relatable and then keeps digging until you're questioning everyone, everything, and your own judgment of people. This book is sharp, messy, dark, and deliciously mean in all the right ways. So ladies, I have one thing to say: FIND YOUR TRIBE. Just make damn sure you know what kind of tribe you’re joining.
So many thanks to the author for this thrilling early copy that will publish April 6, 2027.
No sophomore slump here, folks. This book had TEETH, and its bites were fierce. I was immediately sucked into Mallory's world as she tried to navigate a new house, a new coast, two kids, and a husband who seems to think doing the absolute bare minimum qualifies as parenting. I was laughing early on when Mallory's young son gleefully repeated a word no small child should be saying because I have LIVED through that particular brand of parenting humiliation.
What really grabbed me at first, though, was how desperately Mallory wanted to belong. She had heard all about the Sweet Hill moms. They were exclusive, ruthless, and powerful enough to make or break anyone in town, so when their charismatic leader Natalie finally took notice of her, Mallory was thrilled. For the first time in months, she felt seen. And listen, making friends as an adult is HARD. Sometimes you will convince yourself that you need to be friends with people just because they invited you to sit at their table—never mind they should probably come with a warning label. Then Mallory learns about their private game of "confessions," where the women trade secrets that could destroy one another. Intoxicating? Absolutely. Cruel? Oh, HELL yes. And Mallory has secrets of her own, including the real reason she wanted into that circle in the first place.
But then the narrative kept twisting, peeling back another layer, and revealing more horrific, juicy details. With every new chapter, I found myself whispering, "What in the actual f*ck" so many times I lost count. I am not telling you a damn thing about where this goes because watching those layers come off was half the fun. This book starts with something familiar and relatable and then keeps digging until you're questioning everyone, everything, and your own judgment of people. This book is sharp, messy, dark, and deliciously mean in all the right ways. So ladies, I have one thing to say: FIND YOUR TRIBE. Just make damn sure you know what kind of tribe you’re joining.
So many thanks to the author for this thrilling early copy that will publish April 6, 2027.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Apparently one of my favorite thriller genres is now women who have absolutely had enough.
I LOVED this.
Mallory moves to a new town with her husband and two kids and quickly becomes fascinated with the Sweet Hill moms—the beautiful, exclusive group of women everyone seems to know about but no one can quite get close to. And because making friends as an adult is already hard enough, naturally Mallory decides these are the women she needs in her life.
Ma’am. There were signs. 😂
Then she gets invited into their inner circle and discovers their little game of “confessions,” where they sit around drinking and sharing secrets that could basically ruin their lives.
Whatever happened to having a couple drinks and complaining about your husbands like normal people?!
From there, this just kept getting messier, and I was completely invested. Secrets. Lies. Manipulation. Questionable husbands. Female friendships. Revenge. Women behaving badly. Every time I thought I understood what these women were doing, I realized I absolutely did not.
And I loved it.
This was fast, addictive, twisty and exactly the kind of thriller I can devour. But underneath all of the delicious messiness, there’s also a really good story about motherhood, friendship, loyalty, female rage and what can happen when women finally decide they’ve had enough.
Were these women making good decisions? Debatable.
Was I judging them? Sometimes.
Was I also rooting for them while they made those questionable decisions? Absolutely.
Girls Will Be Girls was messy in all the right ways, and Sophie Stava officially has my attention. Now I need to read Count My Lies because apparently I have been missing out.
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
I LOVED this.
Mallory moves to a new town with her husband and two kids and quickly becomes fascinated with the Sweet Hill moms—the beautiful, exclusive group of women everyone seems to know about but no one can quite get close to. And because making friends as an adult is already hard enough, naturally Mallory decides these are the women she needs in her life.
Ma’am. There were signs. 😂
Then she gets invited into their inner circle and discovers their little game of “confessions,” where they sit around drinking and sharing secrets that could basically ruin their lives.
Whatever happened to having a couple drinks and complaining about your husbands like normal people?!
From there, this just kept getting messier, and I was completely invested. Secrets. Lies. Manipulation. Questionable husbands. Female friendships. Revenge. Women behaving badly. Every time I thought I understood what these women were doing, I realized I absolutely did not.
And I loved it.
This was fast, addictive, twisty and exactly the kind of thriller I can devour. But underneath all of the delicious messiness, there’s also a really good story about motherhood, friendship, loyalty, female rage and what can happen when women finally decide they’ve had enough.
Were these women making good decisions? Debatable.
Was I judging them? Sometimes.
Was I also rooting for them while they made those questionable decisions? Absolutely.
Girls Will Be Girls was messy in all the right ways, and Sophie Stava officially has my attention. Now I need to read Count My Lies because apparently I have been missing out.
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I would like Sophie Stava to explain to my friends, family, pets, employer, and general adult responsibilities why I cancelled my life for 72 hours to gorge myself on this book!
Because I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
Girls Will Be Girls is my favorite flavor of literary chaos: rich-ish women behaving terribly, weaponized friendship, secrets stacked on lies stacked on even worse decisions, questionable husbands, psychological warfare, and enough female rage to power a small municipality.
Mallory is new in town, lonely, disconnected from her husband, and desperate to crack the impenetrable circle of the Sweet Hill moms. And these women? Good LORD. Beautiful. Magnetic. Terrifying. The kind of friend group where an invitation feels simultaneously like winning the lottery and receiving a jury summons.
Then come the 'confessions' - their charming tradition of trading mutually assured destruction over drinks - and I trusted precisely NO ONE.
Every time I thought I understood who was manipulating whom, another grenade was tossed into the room. And beneath all the delicious insanity is a satisfying story about friendship, motherhood, betrayal, power, and what happens when women finally decide they’re done swallowing their anger.
Is everyone deeply flawed? Yes.
Did I support many of their choices? Absolutely not.
Was I rooting for these lunatics anyway? Against my better judgment, constantly.
Dark, bitchy, funny, compulsively readable and gloriously messy. I inhaled it like gossip I had absolutely no business knowing. Sophie Stava, you owe me approximately three days of my life back.
Actually, never mind. WORTH IT!
Because I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
Girls Will Be Girls is my favorite flavor of literary chaos: rich-ish women behaving terribly, weaponized friendship, secrets stacked on lies stacked on even worse decisions, questionable husbands, psychological warfare, and enough female rage to power a small municipality.
Mallory is new in town, lonely, disconnected from her husband, and desperate to crack the impenetrable circle of the Sweet Hill moms. And these women? Good LORD. Beautiful. Magnetic. Terrifying. The kind of friend group where an invitation feels simultaneously like winning the lottery and receiving a jury summons.
Then come the 'confessions' - their charming tradition of trading mutually assured destruction over drinks - and I trusted precisely NO ONE.
Every time I thought I understood who was manipulating whom, another grenade was tossed into the room. And beneath all the delicious insanity is a satisfying story about friendship, motherhood, betrayal, power, and what happens when women finally decide they’re done swallowing their anger.
Is everyone deeply flawed? Yes.
Did I support many of their choices? Absolutely not.
Was I rooting for these lunatics anyway? Against my better judgment, constantly.
Dark, bitchy, funny, compulsively readable and gloriously messy. I inhaled it like gossip I had absolutely no business knowing. Sophie Stava, you owe me approximately three days of my life back.
Actually, never mind. WORTH IT!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is Sophie Stava’s second novel, and I think I may have found another autobuy author! I loved her debut, Count My Lies, and Girls Will Be Girls absolutely delivered too.
Mallory is struggling to adjust after moving across the country with her husband and young children when she finds herself drawn into an exclusive group of women known as the Sweet Hill moms. Their friendships come with plenty of secrets, and a game called 'confessions' that quickly proves there’s much more going on beneath the surface.
This book had so many of my favorite things: women behaving badly (or, in my opinion, appropriately considering how the men treated them), friendships that become family, SO many secrets, and an ending twistier than a roller coaster. I struggled to put this one down because I needed to know what was actually going on. And every time I thought I had things figured out? Nope!
I read this in about two days, so consider this your warning: once you start, you may want to clear your calendar. I definitely want to keep this review spoiler free because part of the fun is watching everything unfold, but this one gave me allll the feels and left me smiling at the end.
Highly recommend, and after two fantastic books from Sophie Stava, I’ll be eagerly waiting to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Mallory is struggling to adjust after moving across the country with her husband and young children when she finds herself drawn into an exclusive group of women known as the Sweet Hill moms. Their friendships come with plenty of secrets, and a game called 'confessions' that quickly proves there’s much more going on beneath the surface.
This book had so many of my favorite things: women behaving badly (or, in my opinion, appropriately considering how the men treated them), friendships that become family, SO many secrets, and an ending twistier than a roller coaster. I struggled to put this one down because I needed to know what was actually going on. And every time I thought I had things figured out? Nope!
I read this in about two days, so consider this your warning: once you start, you may want to clear your calendar. I definitely want to keep this review spoiler free because part of the fun is watching everything unfold, but this one gave me allll the feels and left me smiling at the end.
Highly recommend, and after two fantastic books from Sophie Stava, I’ll be eagerly waiting to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sophie Stava has done it again in her latest novel! I loved her debut and was very excited to receive an advanced copy of her new book.
Mallory, her husband, Graham, and their two kids have recently uprooted their lives and moved from the west coast to the east coast, to the town where her husband grew up. She's lonely since she's now far from her sisters and without any contacts in their neighborhood. Graham has also been growing more and more uninterested in her.
She has set her sights on the Sweet Hills Moms- the it girls of the town. They're flawless and perfect for the connection Mallory has been craving. And finally they notice her and allow her into their circle.
But soon Mallory finds there is more to the group than meets the eye- especially as the women hold confessional times. As secrets spill, Mallory finds herself wondering why she was invited to the clique. Was it because they wanted genuine friendship, or is there more at play? And will the Sweet Hills Moms discover the real reason Mallory wanted in?
Secrets, lies, twists, oh my! This book will keep you on your toes beginning to end!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Mallory, her husband, Graham, and their two kids have recently uprooted their lives and moved from the west coast to the east coast, to the town where her husband grew up. She's lonely since she's now far from her sisters and without any contacts in their neighborhood. Graham has also been growing more and more uninterested in her.
She has set her sights on the Sweet Hills Moms- the it girls of the town. They're flawless and perfect for the connection Mallory has been craving. And finally they notice her and allow her into their circle.
But soon Mallory finds there is more to the group than meets the eye- especially as the women hold confessional times. As secrets spill, Mallory finds herself wondering why she was invited to the clique. Was it because they wanted genuine friendship, or is there more at play? And will the Sweet Hills Moms discover the real reason Mallory wanted in?
Secrets, lies, twists, oh my! This book will keep you on your toes beginning to end!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sophie Stava, you got me again.
Her debut, Count My Lies, was utterly gripping, and Girls Will Be Girls was every bit as addictive. I binged this one in a day. I couldn’t look away from the absolute mess unfolding in front of me. The messier it got, the more I wanted to keep reading.
I love how diabolical and deceiving Stava’s characters are. Everyone is flawed. Everyone has an agenda. Everyone feels just unreliable. The chaos made me constantly question their motives, and I had the hardest time trying to figure out what everyone was really up to.
Twists, secrets, messy female relationships, toxic friendships, complicated motherhood, psychological manipulation, female revenge…this had SO much of what I love in a thriller and more. And the deeper I got into the story, the more twisted it became.
This was such a fun, bingeable story of power, privilege, friendship and revenge, with unforgettable characters and a story that completely sucked me in. Highly recommend!
A BIG thank you to Dutton for the advance reader copy. I appreciated the opportunity to read Stava’s brilliant sophomore novel in return for sharing my honest opinion.
Her debut, Count My Lies, was utterly gripping, and Girls Will Be Girls was every bit as addictive. I binged this one in a day. I couldn’t look away from the absolute mess unfolding in front of me. The messier it got, the more I wanted to keep reading.
I love how diabolical and deceiving Stava’s characters are. Everyone is flawed. Everyone has an agenda. Everyone feels just unreliable. The chaos made me constantly question their motives, and I had the hardest time trying to figure out what everyone was really up to.
Twists, secrets, messy female relationships, toxic friendships, complicated motherhood, psychological manipulation, female revenge…this had SO much of what I love in a thriller and more. And the deeper I got into the story, the more twisted it became.
This was such a fun, bingeable story of power, privilege, friendship and revenge, with unforgettable characters and a story that completely sucked me in. Highly recommend!
A BIG thank you to Dutton for the advance reader copy. I appreciated the opportunity to read Stava’s brilliant sophomore novel in return for sharing my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read this book so fast because I was HOOKED. I was captivated. I had to see what happened, so I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish it.
Im happy to say that Sophie Stava's newest book will run you through the gamut of emotions: At first, I thought it was going to be a Stepford Wife science fiction and was annoyed because that's not a genre I like; then I was angry at these women; I was mad at the men. I didnt like certain characters.
But it all came together in the closing chapters.
When Mallory moves to the small town where her husband grew up, she desperately wants to belong to a clique of gorgeous women whose lives seem perfect. When one of these ladies befriends Mallory, she sees behind the glamorous facade and isn't sure that group is for her. But she's lonely and emotional and needs friends.
But when she catches one of the women texting her husband, she changes her tune from wanting to belong to wanting revenge. But there are twists and turns you won't see coming, and I won't spoil it for you.
A MUST-READ.
Im happy to say that Sophie Stava's newest book will run you through the gamut of emotions: At first, I thought it was going to be a Stepford Wife science fiction and was annoyed because that's not a genre I like; then I was angry at these women; I was mad at the men. I didnt like certain characters.
But it all came together in the closing chapters.
When Mallory moves to the small town where her husband grew up, she desperately wants to belong to a clique of gorgeous women whose lives seem perfect. When one of these ladies befriends Mallory, she sees behind the glamorous facade and isn't sure that group is for her. But she's lonely and emotional and needs friends.
But when she catches one of the women texting her husband, she changes her tune from wanting to belong to wanting revenge. But there are twists and turns you won't see coming, and I won't spoil it for you.
A MUST-READ.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Girls Will Be Girls by Sophie Stava was such a breath of "fresh air" 😆 OK, not really! But the book did the DAMN THING and understood the assignment!!
This is the type of female drama that brings everyone to their knees. It’s filled with secrets, manipulation, revenge, and friendships that will have you questioning just how far someone is willing to go to protect the people they care about.. or thought they cared about.
The girls have each other’s backs, but everyone has something to hide—and when those secrets start coming out, things get messy fast.
The twists weren’t shocking to me, but I loved how they were executed. The constant revealing of secrets chapter by chapter and the master manipulation throughout the story was easily one of my favorite parts.
Add in the revenge plot, complicated friendships, and all the drama, and you have a dark, messy, entertaining thriller that kept me turning the pages.
This was a great read and I can't wait to see more reviews!
This is the type of female drama that brings everyone to their knees. It’s filled with secrets, manipulation, revenge, and friendships that will have you questioning just how far someone is willing to go to protect the people they care about.. or thought they cared about.
The girls have each other’s backs, but everyone has something to hide—and when those secrets start coming out, things get messy fast.
The twists weren’t shocking to me, but I loved how they were executed. The constant revealing of secrets chapter by chapter and the master manipulation throughout the story was easily one of my favorite parts.
Add in the revenge plot, complicated friendships, and all the drama, and you have a dark, messy, entertaining thriller that kept me turning the pages.
This was a great read and I can't wait to see more reviews!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars for this page turner that I enjoyed reading. Mallory and her husband Graham move to Graham’s childhood home after his mother dies. With two young children, Mallory is hoping to find a community of friends and support. Instead, she has her eye on the Sweet Hill Moms, a group of four women who seem perfect but notoriously don’t let anyone in.
I love the message of the book, and it was interesting seeing how it all came together. I especially enjoyed Natalie’s POV chapters. And Mallory’s encapsulated a lot of the frustration and exhaustion and overwhelm of parenting young kids.
So why not a higher rating? I think I need a warning for unreliable narrator because I don’t love that plot device. Also, the last couple chapters were a big explanation dump. But still I flew through this and enjoyed it, and I’d recommend it.
Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
I love the message of the book, and it was interesting seeing how it all came together. I especially enjoyed Natalie’s POV chapters. And Mallory’s encapsulated a lot of the frustration and exhaustion and overwhelm of parenting young kids.
So why not a higher rating? I think I need a warning for unreliable narrator because I don’t love that plot device. Also, the last couple chapters were a big explanation dump. But still I flew through this and enjoyed it, and I’d recommend it.
Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 15, 2026
WOW. this one was just as gripping and twisty as Stava's debut, Count My Lies. the recurring theme that i love most in both of these binge-worthy domestic thrillers is how Stava's "evil" female characters are slowly revealed to be working in tandem and are on the right side of history –– even when they outwardly appear to be pitted against each other over a man's affections, in reality, they're far more aligned than the reader even realizes. when i first had an inkling that something fraught happened to natalie's brother jude, i worried i'd ruined the "surprise" for myself, but this plot twist ended up being the most obvious among so many good ones! i should've known i couldn't be outsmarted :)
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this and was hooked from the beginning!
Girls Will Be Girls in this story to prove that boys can’t keep on just being boys.
When Mallory Greene moves across the country for a fresh start with her family and hopes to keep her marriage going, she immediately becomes obsessed with the Sweet Hill moms. The tight knit group who keep their friends close and their secrets closer. When she’s welcomed into their circle, she realizes how deep their friendship runs when they start sharing their confessions and Mallory has to decide who she can trust with her own secrets.
Stava takes us on a thrilling ride of friendship, trust and lies as the story unfolds that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Just like the Sweet Hill moms this book may keep you questioning who and what you think you know.
Girls Will Be Girls in this story to prove that boys can’t keep on just being boys.
When Mallory Greene moves across the country for a fresh start with her family and hopes to keep her marriage going, she immediately becomes obsessed with the Sweet Hill moms. The tight knit group who keep their friends close and their secrets closer. When she’s welcomed into their circle, she realizes how deep their friendship runs when they start sharing their confessions and Mallory has to decide who she can trust with her own secrets.
Stava takes us on a thrilling ride of friendship, trust and lies as the story unfolds that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Just like the Sweet Hill moms this book may keep you questioning who and what you think you know.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mallory Greene moves to her husband’s hometown with her kids, hoping to find her place in a town where she already feels like an outsider. When she gets the chance to join the Sweet Hill mom group, an exclusive group of powerful, ruthless local moms led by the charming Natalie, she thinks she’s finally found her way in.
But this isn’t your typical mom group. Their game of “confessions” means exposing your darkest secrets—and Mallory soon realizes there’s a reason she was invited. What starts as an opportunity to fit in quickly turns into something much more sinister.
Secrets, manipulation, toxic friendships, and a whole lot of “what the hell is going on?!” This one had me questioning everyone and wondering just how far these women would go to protect their secrets. 👀
Loved this new one as much as "Count My Lies"!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited to get my hands on Girls Will Be Girls by Sophie Stava! I loved her debut, Count My Lies, and I seriously could not wait to see what she’d come up with next. Mallory is new in town, feeling lonely and disconnected from her husband, when she gets pulled into the ultra exclusive world of the Sweet Hill moms. They’re glamorous, powerful, and maybe just a tiny bit terrifying. I loved the messy friendships, the tension, the little twists, and the constant feeling that something was just not right. The pacing made this such an easy book to fly through, and I was definitely suspicious of basically everyone. Also, can we talk about the cover?! It is so pretty and totally made me want to pick this one up. I’m officially ready for whatever Sophie Stava writes next!
September 8, 2026
Girls Will Be Girls was absurdly good. Like book of the year good. Just when you think you know what’s happening, it does a complete 180. Every time you finish a chapter and go to take a break it completely sucks you back in. Filled with a f’d up type of sisterhood, feminine rage, and justified revenge - this is 100% one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. No review will do it justice, just pick it up and read it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Sophie, and Dutton for an ARC of Girls Will Be Girls!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Sophie, and Dutton for an ARC of Girls Will Be Girls!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75/5
This book's cover really caught my eye because I am a nail polish girlie. And I love a thriller, so this seemed quite up my alley.
This book is also very appropriately named and I like that sort of humor to it.
I had fun with this and it reminded me of the Secret Vigilante series a bit. So if you liked that series, I think you should definitely check this out!
It did take me a little bit to get into this book, but I did eventually get there and had a good time.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This book's cover really caught my eye because I am a nail polish girlie. And I love a thriller, so this seemed quite up my alley.
This book is also very appropriately named and I like that sort of humor to it.
I had fun with this and it reminded me of the Secret Vigilante series a bit. So if you liked that series, I think you should definitely check this out!
It did take me a little bit to get into this book, but I did eventually get there and had a good time.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and Sophie Stava for this ARC**
4 🌟/5. If you liked her freshman novel Count My Lies, then you will love girls will be girls. While the style might be similar between the two, I felt a deeper connection to the underlying message of this book. I found this book to be a thought provoking commentary about how the "boys will be boys" attitude in parenting shapes the men they become and the well-being of the people they interact with- dressed in her signature psychological thriller wrapping paper. Give this one a read- you won't regret it!
4 🌟/5. If you liked her freshman novel Count My Lies, then you will love girls will be girls. While the style might be similar between the two, I felt a deeper connection to the underlying message of this book. I found this book to be a thought provoking commentary about how the "boys will be boys" attitude in parenting shapes the men they become and the well-being of the people they interact with- dressed in her signature psychological thriller wrapping paper. Give this one a read- you won't regret it!
September 18, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
GIrls Will Be Girls started out strong for me, and I was hooked with all of the rich, suburban wife, fitting into that circle drama. As the reader, you are taken on a journey from both Mallory and Natalie's perspectives in both the present and dating back to high school. This was a great novel for anyone who loves tropes that are about rich housewives, friendship drama, bullying, and basically female revenge. I enjoyed it, and rounded it out to a 3.5.
GIrls Will Be Girls started out strong for me, and I was hooked with all of the rich, suburban wife, fitting into that circle drama. As the reader, you are taken on a journey from both Mallory and Natalie's perspectives in both the present and dating back to high school. This was a great novel for anyone who loves tropes that are about rich housewives, friendship drama, bullying, and basically female revenge. I enjoyed it, and rounded it out to a 3.5.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this book!The story is incredibly engaging, but what truly shines are the women at the center of it. The author does a fantastic job building complex characters, and my heart broke for Natalie and Mallory as we learned more about what they went through in their pasts. It’s a powerful, moving story that stays with you long after the final page. Highly recommended!
Thank you #netgalley #sophie Stacia
Thank you #netgalley #sophie Stacia
September 13, 2026
4.75⭐️
Review of advanced copy received through NetGalley
Thank you Dutton for this eARC
* This book had me invested from the prologue alone. I thought the story came together perfectly, not what I was expecting at all. ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ is the best thriller I have read in a while.
• There were a couple things I felt were far-fetched; The thought processes of our main characters at times & how they pieced things together quickly.
Review of advanced copy received through NetGalley
Thank you Dutton for this eARC
* This book had me invested from the prologue alone. I thought the story came together perfectly, not what I was expecting at all. ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ is the best thriller I have read in a while.
• There were a couple things I felt were far-fetched; The thought processes of our main characters at times & how they pieced things together quickly.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow …. I loved this one so much . Delicious! Catty Moms , Moms with secrets . I binged this in 2 sittings. I was beyond excited to have a copy sent to me by the Author . Sophie is talented , a brilliant writer and I will devour anything she writes . I loved Count My Lies , this was easily as fantastic . All the stars .
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of my favorite book styles is the mystery/thriller that utilizes misdirection, and Sophie Stava proves her expertise at that in Girls Will Be Girls. There is much more than meets the eye here. Prepare for an interesting story that is well-written and full of surprises! This would make a great series or movie.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had a great time reading Girls Will Be Girls by Sophie Stava! Mallory is new in town and gets pulled into a group of moms who seem perfect, but they’re hiding lots of secrets. I liked all the drama, secrets, and little twists. I kept wondering who I could trust, and the story was so easy to read that I flew through it. Definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 rounded to five. Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the advance copy! This was an absolutely addictive read and I never knew what twist was coming next. It was perfectly plotted, had a satisfying ending and I loved the dual narrators. This book had a snarky dark sense of humor that kept me giggling and the millennial references in the flashback scenes were perfect.
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