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I Hope You're Listening
In her small town, seventeen year-old Delia “Dee” Skinner is known as the girl who wasn’t taken. Ten years ago, she witnessed the abduction of her best friend, Sibby. And though she told the police everything she remembered, it wasn’t enough. Sibby was never seen again.At night, Dee deals with her guilt by becoming someone else: the Seeker, the voice behind the popular true crime podcast Radio Silent, which features missing persons cases and works with online sleuths to solve them. Nobody knows Dee’s the Seeker, and she plans to keep it that way.When another little girl goes missing, and the case is linked to Sibby’s disappearance, Dee has a chance to get answers, with the help of her virtual detectives and the intriguing new girl at school. But how much is she willing to reveal about herself in order to uncover the truth? Dee’s about to find out what’s really at stake in unraveling the mystery of the little girls who vanished.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2020
96 people are currently reading
8795 people want to read
About the author
Tom Ryan
10 books491 followersTom Ryan is an award winning author, screenwriter and producer. His YA mystery KEEP THIS TO YOURSELF was the winner of the 2020 ITW Thriller Award for Best YA Thriller, the 2020 Arthur Ellis Award for Best YA Crime Book, and the 2021 Ann Connor Brimer Award, and is currently being adapted for television. His followup YA mystery I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING was the winner of the 2021 Lambda “Lammy” Award for Best LGBTQ Mystery. He was a 2017 Lambda Literary Fellow in Young Adult Fiction.
Tom, his husband and their dog live in Nova Scotia.
Tom, his husband and their dog live in Nova Scotia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 615 reviews
August 11, 2020
Dee still can’t get over the fact her friend Sibby was taken when they were children. Ten years later she lives in a different house with her parents and secretly runs the podcast: Radio Silent. Dee and her peeps across the web, help find missing persons.
Dee’s friend, Burke, helps her with the technical parts of the broadcast. I love him and wished he was in the book more. He made me laugh out loud, as well as Dee’s father. He was a hoot and I loved his 90’s vibe.
I would have given the book more stars but as I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it. For me, there was a bit missing.
I did enjoy the book overall.
Thank you to Netgalley and Albert Whitman & Company for a digital copy of this book.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
Dee’s friend, Burke, helps her with the technical parts of the broadcast. I love him and wished he was in the book more. He made me laugh out loud, as well as Dee’s father. He was a hoot and I loved his 90’s vibe.
I would have given the book more stars but as I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it. For me, there was a bit missing.
I did enjoy the book overall.
Thank you to Netgalley and Albert Whitman & Company for a digital copy of this book.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
September 28, 2020
3.50 Stars. This was a good YA mystery. I’m a big mystery fan and have been since I was a little kid running around with my Nancy Drew books. When I saw this book, about a gumshoe teenager, I thought that this could be a lot of fun and might even be a little reminiscent for me. I did enjoy this read but I do have to admit I’m a little bummed that I didn’t love it. There is a lot of really good here, so much potential for a fantastic story that I’m disappointed that there were too many bumps that just kept this in the good but not great category.
I loved the premise of the book. After surviving an abduction that led to her best friend’s kidnapping 10 years ago, Dee runs a popular podcast searching for missing people. While it’s too late to help her best friend, she can help find others. Podcasts are so popular right now especially true crime ones so I thought the idea for this book was not only timely but really interesting, I sure was not going to pass up reading this.
One of the main issues I found was that this book almost felt like two different books. I sat down yesterday and attempted to read this whole book but I could not get into it. There were a lot of podcast elements which I didn’t think were written all that interestingly and I wondered why is it so popular with her listeners? And I also felt like the main character was too stiff and I just didn’t understand or connect with her enough. I ended up putting the book down and watching The Incredible Doctor Pol fix-up animals instead.
Today, I sat down with determination that I was going to read and finish this book. Luckily, for me, the second half of the book was really good. It felt so different to me. There was finally a new secondary character who wasn’t wooden or yelling at the main character Dee for no reason. Sarah, who is the potential romantic interest for Dee, was just what the story really needed. She got Dee to actually talk and feel and all of a sudden I’m connecting and liking Dee too. Not only do the characters improve but the podcasts sudden becomes interesting and as readers we are in the middle of not one, or two, but three mysteries. While some mysteries are larger than others, they all kept me wondering and most importantly reading. I had fun with the last half and I just wish the whole book was that good.
As I mentioned there were multiple mysteries going on. The big mystery ended up being the climax of the book and was really exciting. It had my blood pumping a bit which was always fun. However, the medium sized mystery ended up with a disappointing end. It is solved but we don’t know how. Nothing is said how the pieces were put together and how the person solved it, nothing. Instead the person just knows all the answers and announces them. It was a bit deflating after the great ending of the big mystery. A similar thing happened midway in the book too when Sarah figures out something almost no one else knows. So how did Sarah know? I don’t know, we are never told because she never explains it and no one asks, which doesn’t make sense since it was a huge secret. I get why this was done because it moved the plot in an important direction, but it’s almost the equivalent of giving the lady knight the new power of flight right before she is blasted with a column of dragon fire. You’ve got to explain the “how and why’s” to your readers, you can’t just make it so.
As you can probably tell this was a bumpy read for me but I still liked it. Half the book is really good and well done, it’s a shame it all didn’t come together. Even with my issues, I would still recommend this to mystery fans. In fact I’d recommend this to any mystery fans from teens to adults. Had I read this as a teen I would have LOVED IT! The YA, FF romance is super cute and the second half of the book is fun to read. The thing is you just need to be prepared for some bumps and some big ones at that, but I still think this is worth the read.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
I loved the premise of the book. After surviving an abduction that led to her best friend’s kidnapping 10 years ago, Dee runs a popular podcast searching for missing people. While it’s too late to help her best friend, she can help find others. Podcasts are so popular right now especially true crime ones so I thought the idea for this book was not only timely but really interesting, I sure was not going to pass up reading this.
One of the main issues I found was that this book almost felt like two different books. I sat down yesterday and attempted to read this whole book but I could not get into it. There were a lot of podcast elements which I didn’t think were written all that interestingly and I wondered why is it so popular with her listeners? And I also felt like the main character was too stiff and I just didn’t understand or connect with her enough. I ended up putting the book down and watching The Incredible Doctor Pol fix-up animals instead.
Today, I sat down with determination that I was going to read and finish this book. Luckily, for me, the second half of the book was really good. It felt so different to me. There was finally a new secondary character who wasn’t wooden or yelling at the main character Dee for no reason. Sarah, who is the potential romantic interest for Dee, was just what the story really needed. She got Dee to actually talk and feel and all of a sudden I’m connecting and liking Dee too. Not only do the characters improve but the podcasts sudden becomes interesting and as readers we are in the middle of not one, or two, but three mysteries. While some mysteries are larger than others, they all kept me wondering and most importantly reading. I had fun with the last half and I just wish the whole book was that good.
As I mentioned there were multiple mysteries going on. The big mystery ended up being the climax of the book and was really exciting. It had my blood pumping a bit which was always fun. However, the medium sized mystery ended up with a disappointing end. It is solved but we don’t know how. Nothing is said how the pieces were put together and how the person solved it, nothing. Instead the person just knows all the answers and announces them. It was a bit deflating after the great ending of the big mystery. A similar thing happened midway in the book too when Sarah figures out something almost no one else knows. So how did Sarah know? I don’t know, we are never told because she never explains it and no one asks, which doesn’t make sense since it was a huge secret. I get why this was done because it moved the plot in an important direction, but it’s almost the equivalent of giving the lady knight the new power of flight right before she is blasted with a column of dragon fire. You’ve got to explain the “how and why’s” to your readers, you can’t just make it so.
As you can probably tell this was a bumpy read for me but I still liked it. Half the book is really good and well done, it’s a shame it all didn’t come together. Even with my issues, I would still recommend this to mystery fans. In fact I’d recommend this to any mystery fans from teens to adults. Had I read this as a teen I would have LOVED IT! The YA, FF romance is super cute and the second half of the book is fun to read. The thing is you just need to be prepared for some bumps and some big ones at that, but I still think this is worth the read.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
Want to read
May 23, 2019do not
pitch a novel as
SADIE meets TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET
and make me wait
one whole
fucken
year
- sincerely, a distraught reader
pitch a novel as
SADIE meets TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET
and make me wait
one whole
fucken
year
- sincerely, a distraught reader
August 1, 2020
4 STARS ★★ ★★✩
⤐ Overall.
The synopsis gave me distinct Sadie vibes and had me helplessly flapping on the floor of my flat.
Of course, I knew that such expectations were almost impossible to fulfil. Nonetheless, I Hope You're Listening is a fantastic YA thriller that beautifully captures the importance of one's own role in making this world a better place for oneself. Being traumatised by childhood experiences sure is a thing for most of us, but I suppose few can say they watched their childhood friend being abducted.
Dee is a very private character, both inside and outside the pages. Meaning, it is sometimes hard to see what's going on inside her head. Together with the fact that I didn't always feel the rise of suspense, this is the reason I cannot give a five-star-review. Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this while in Vienna, Austria's capital. I had multiple theories going on at one point and am pleased to say that I only guessed half of the mystery.
⤐ What’s happening.
These are the words Dee speaks almost daily, disguised as the Seeker, host of the internationally known podcast RADIO SILENT.
These are the words that make Dee feel like she has power in a reality that loses track of children, sisters, friends, neighbours daily.
These are the words that keep her from spiralling into the case that got her to start a podcast in the first place - her childhood best friend's abduction.
The abduction she witnessed.
When, 10 years later, another young girl in the same neighbourhood goes missing, it seems like Dee has no choice but to revisit the events she tries to stay clear of.
_____________________
4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.
This book is for you if… you are, like me, smitten with the genre of young adult (mystery) thrillers. There's a bit of romance, but it's not really at the forefront of the plot. Homophobes stay away please, this is a safe and inclusive space, no room for you here.
⤐ Overall.
The synopsis gave me distinct Sadie vibes and had me helplessly flapping on the floor of my flat.
Of course, I knew that such expectations were almost impossible to fulfil. Nonetheless, I Hope You're Listening is a fantastic YA thriller that beautifully captures the importance of one's own role in making this world a better place for oneself. Being traumatised by childhood experiences sure is a thing for most of us, but I suppose few can say they watched their childhood friend being abducted.
Dee is a very private character, both inside and outside the pages. Meaning, it is sometimes hard to see what's going on inside her head. Together with the fact that I didn't always feel the rise of suspense, this is the reason I cannot give a five-star-review. Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this while in Vienna, Austria's capital. I had multiple theories going on at one point and am pleased to say that I only guessed half of the mystery.
⤐ What’s happening.
‘Is there something you can do to help?
Listen up.
Let's try.’
These are the words Dee speaks almost daily, disguised as the Seeker, host of the internationally known podcast RADIO SILENT.
These are the words that make Dee feel like she has power in a reality that loses track of children, sisters, friends, neighbours daily.
These are the words that keep her from spiralling into the case that got her to start a podcast in the first place - her childhood best friend's abduction.
The abduction she witnessed.
When, 10 years later, another young girl in the same neighbourhood goes missing, it seems like Dee has no choice but to revisit the events she tries to stay clear of.
Con:
⇢ desire to keep identiy as Seeker secret
⇢ mean reporter on her tracks
⇢ triggers everywhere
Pro:
⇢ cute new neighbour
⇢ thousands of laptop detectives at her disposal
⇢ them brains
_____________________
4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.
March 13, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up**
Dee Skinner's best friend, Sibby, went missing when they were just 7-years old. More specifically, she was kidnapped as the two girls were playing in their neighborhood woods.
Dee witnessed the incident, but as a 7-year old, was unable to help Sibby. This fact has haunted her every day since. Sibby has never been found.
As a teen, Dee has distanced herself from her peers. Her one good friend, Burke, has remained steadfastly by her side, even though she's a bit prickly with everyone else.
Burke is also Dee's secret keeper. He's the only person who knows that Dee is the creator and host of a hugely popular podcast, Radio Silent, that discusses and investigates missing persons cases from around the country.
Dee feels like the podcast helps to relieve some of her guilt over not being taken while Sibby was. Dee hosts the podcast completely anonymously, using the name, The Seeker.
Her many fans and listeners actively investigate the cases discussed on the show. Dubbed as the LDA, Laptop Detective Agency, they have actually found people!
Two things happen in close succession in Dee's life though, that soon threaten her hold on her anonymity. An attractive girl moves into the house directly across the street and a little girl, living in Dee's former house, has gone missing.
Dee wants to do whatever she can to help find the missing girl, Layla, whose disappearance seems too much of a coincidence. Could it possibly be related to Sibby's disappearance? Even 10-years later?
As Dee and the girl across the street, Sarah, grow ever closer, Dee is able to open up to her in a way she has been unable to before. Even though it makes her vulnerable, it also gives her strength, because now she has someone on her side.
Dee has always felt like the people in town judged her after Sibby's disappearance; like they felt she could have done something to help. Since Sarah just moved to town, she doesn't have any preconceived notions of who Dee is, which helps Dee to be able to connect with her more naturally.
After Dee opens up to Sarah, the two girls begin to investigate Layla's disappearance together and go on one heck of an adventure doing so!
Reading Dee and Layla's relationship evolve was one of my favorite aspects of this story. I loved how Dee could finally let her guard down and be honest about herself with someone else.
I think it means so much to find that one person you can truly be yourself around, especially when you have been hiding a bit, like Dee was.
In addition to the evolution of the girl's relationship, which if you are wondering, is romantic, I also enjoyed the overall evolution of the story. How Ryan went about revealing the situation with Dee and Sibby; everything that happened leading up to the kidnapping and shortly thereafter.
I also very much enjoyed, unsurprisingly, the podcast element. Listening to the audiobook, you really get a feel for what Radio Silent actually would have sounded like. That was quite compelling.
It got pretty crazy towards the end, but by then, I was committed to these characters and this story. A lot of it was great, wild and fun, but there were a couple of plot points at the very end that just seemed to be wrapped up a little too conveniently for my tastes.
Thusly, my overall enjoyment suffered just a wee bit; but seriously, just a tiny bit.
I definitely recommend this for fans of YA Mysteries, missing person, or cold case tropes, and of course, people who love a podcasting element to their Mystery/Thrillers.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Albert Whitman & Company, for providing me a copy to read and review. I had a lot of fun with it and look forward to reading more from Tom Ryan!
Dee Skinner's best friend, Sibby, went missing when they were just 7-years old. More specifically, she was kidnapped as the two girls were playing in their neighborhood woods.
Dee witnessed the incident, but as a 7-year old, was unable to help Sibby. This fact has haunted her every day since. Sibby has never been found.
As a teen, Dee has distanced herself from her peers. Her one good friend, Burke, has remained steadfastly by her side, even though she's a bit prickly with everyone else.
Burke is also Dee's secret keeper. He's the only person who knows that Dee is the creator and host of a hugely popular podcast, Radio Silent, that discusses and investigates missing persons cases from around the country.
Dee feels like the podcast helps to relieve some of her guilt over not being taken while Sibby was. Dee hosts the podcast completely anonymously, using the name, The Seeker.
Her many fans and listeners actively investigate the cases discussed on the show. Dubbed as the LDA, Laptop Detective Agency, they have actually found people!
Two things happen in close succession in Dee's life though, that soon threaten her hold on her anonymity. An attractive girl moves into the house directly across the street and a little girl, living in Dee's former house, has gone missing.
Dee wants to do whatever she can to help find the missing girl, Layla, whose disappearance seems too much of a coincidence. Could it possibly be related to Sibby's disappearance? Even 10-years later?
As Dee and the girl across the street, Sarah, grow ever closer, Dee is able to open up to her in a way she has been unable to before. Even though it makes her vulnerable, it also gives her strength, because now she has someone on her side.
Dee has always felt like the people in town judged her after Sibby's disappearance; like they felt she could have done something to help. Since Sarah just moved to town, she doesn't have any preconceived notions of who Dee is, which helps Dee to be able to connect with her more naturally.
After Dee opens up to Sarah, the two girls begin to investigate Layla's disappearance together and go on one heck of an adventure doing so!
Reading Dee and Layla's relationship evolve was one of my favorite aspects of this story. I loved how Dee could finally let her guard down and be honest about herself with someone else.
I think it means so much to find that one person you can truly be yourself around, especially when you have been hiding a bit, like Dee was.
In addition to the evolution of the girl's relationship, which if you are wondering, is romantic, I also enjoyed the overall evolution of the story. How Ryan went about revealing the situation with Dee and Sibby; everything that happened leading up to the kidnapping and shortly thereafter.
I also very much enjoyed, unsurprisingly, the podcast element. Listening to the audiobook, you really get a feel for what Radio Silent actually would have sounded like. That was quite compelling.
It got pretty crazy towards the end, but by then, I was committed to these characters and this story. A lot of it was great, wild and fun, but there were a couple of plot points at the very end that just seemed to be wrapped up a little too conveniently for my tastes.
Thusly, my overall enjoyment suffered just a wee bit; but seriously, just a tiny bit.
I definitely recommend this for fans of YA Mysteries, missing person, or cold case tropes, and of course, people who love a podcasting element to their Mystery/Thrillers.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Albert Whitman & Company, for providing me a copy to read and review. I had a lot of fun with it and look forward to reading more from Tom Ryan!
April 18, 2021
3.5 Stars
Well this was a reasonably engaging YA mystery.
I liked the podcast element and the collective contribution of people trying to solve cases through information sharing online. It added an interesting layer to the story. I don't think it had the depth of some similar YA stories but I was still drawn in and interested to see what happened to Sibby. The relationships were probably a strength in this book with a sweet romance in the mix. I am glad I listened to the audiobook as it suited the format.
Well this was a reasonably engaging YA mystery.
I liked the podcast element and the collective contribution of people trying to solve cases through information sharing online. It added an interesting layer to the story. I don't think it had the depth of some similar YA stories but I was still drawn in and interested to see what happened to Sibby. The relationships were probably a strength in this book with a sweet romance in the mix. I am glad I listened to the audiobook as it suited the format.
September 14, 2020
My favorite part about this book is how progressive it was.
✓ LGBTQ main character
✓ stay-at-home Dad
✓ minority representation, especially in mentioning that minorities in missing-persons cases are much more likely to be under-investigated
✓ positive light on cannabis consumption
This was a good read. It wasn't extraordinary; I think it lacked a deeper meaning. Dee was a very private main character, both as the Seeker and as the POV. There are a lot of times I wish the author had delved deeper into her psych, into what she was directly feeling as things unfolded.
I liked the incorporation of the podcast of this mystery, I thought it added a nice twist to your typical abduction-centered-teen-novel. I would recommend to pick this up for a good read!
✓ LGBTQ main character
✓ stay-at-home Dad
✓ minority representation, especially in mentioning that minorities in missing-persons cases are much more likely to be under-investigated
✓ positive light on cannabis consumption
This was a good read. It wasn't extraordinary; I think it lacked a deeper meaning. Dee was a very private main character, both as the Seeker and as the POV. There are a lot of times I wish the author had delved deeper into her psych, into what she was directly feeling as things unfolded.
I liked the incorporation of the podcast of this mystery, I thought it added a nice twist to your typical abduction-centered-teen-novel. I would recommend to pick this up for a good read!
October 14, 2020
“The world is full of missing people, and the sad truth is that many of them will never come home. But I believe there's a story behind every missing person, and maybe, just maybe, if we begin to dig up the details together, we can find our way to some more happy endings.”
📚 Series? No.
📚 Genre? YA Mystery/Thriller.
📚 POV? Single, first person.
📚 Cliffhanger? No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Abduction. Abuse.
⚠ Book Tags : Podcasts. Small town mystery. Young sapphics in love. Stay at home dad.
Slow Building But Definitely Delivers
I have always loved reading books with different methods of narration, like using podcast formats. This is why when an invite to join the tour for I Hope You're Listening, I hopped on the chance to join.
The YA thriller subgenre keeps on calling out to me and I admit that it's quite hard to resist! They (almost) always impress me, or at least, satisfy me. Well, this one definitely did!
I Hope You're Listening brought me to the life of Delia "Dee" Skinner. Ten years ago, she witnessed her bestfriend Sibby get abducted. She was left behind and she feels guilty about it. So, she created the podcast Radio silent to help bring light to missing person's cases and have them solved. It blows up, but here's the thing, people don't know she's the one behind it.
In their small town, 10 years after the traumatic event changed her life, another girl goes missing. Dee is compelled to help, but what if this entails bringing her past back to the spotlight?
Ahhh, sounds good, right?
I loved how intriguing the premise of the book was and that it had mysteries within the mystery through the podcast. It made my mind more alert in diving into the story.. and it made me like the book more.
On a side note, I also loved how Dee's sexuality was handled in the story. Her parents' and friends' behavior towards. The romance is very little.. but it was very cute.
Now, towards the end, I have to admit that the resolutions made me go "Hmmm?". The plot twist is not what I was expecting, but I was in need of a little more shock factor than was provided.
All in all, this book is the perfect October read. There were many spooky parts and the mystery was good. It was a thrill to read, I promise!
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌼 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Thrill: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
☁FINAL VERDICT: 4/5 ☁
Much thanks to TBR and Beyond Tours and Albert Whitman & Co. for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own. Also, Quote/s are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
📚 Blog ♡ Booktube ♡ Bookstagram ♡ Facebook ♡ Twitter 📚
October 14, 2020
"I didn't start Radio Silent to bring myself attention. I started it for the opposite reason, to bring attention to cases and people who deserved it. To draw my own obsessive attention away from the mystery that's haunted me for more than half my life.
It's never been about me. It's about the people who need finding."
Reading I Hope You're Listening was such a roller coaster ride! The book is mainly about the aftermath of the disappearance of our protagonist's bestfriend. Dee was with Sibby the day she disappeared and naturally, she somehow blames herself for what happened. Some days she still finds herself thinking, "what could I have done differently to prevent her from being abducted?" The trauma is still haunting her and her true crime podcast helps her with dealing with this.
This book has been marketed under the Thriller and Mystery genre and even though those are correct, I can't help but still be terrified as if what I'm reading is a Horror book. It's probably because I know that this kind of stuff happens in real life. The book truly captured the horrifying and heart-breaking events of having someone being taken away from you without you and that someone's consent. I Hope You're Listening was fast paced and truly an absorbing read. Each chapter leaves you interested and wanting for more. With Tom Ryans very readable writing, it's not hard to get lost on Dee's world and life. You'll find yourself feeling like she does. Wondering like she does. And wanting the truth like she does.
Dee is a great character, she's not perfect in any way but I found myself rooting for her. Tom Ryan penned realistic and likeable characters and as the thrill and mystery solidify, you can't help but think that one of them is the "bad guy" I didn't have any issues with the characters at all, however, I did hope that the romance aspect was executed in a different way. I admire the fact that Dee doesn't have to come out at any point in the book, but I wished that Dee getting together with that particular character didn't happen so fast.
As I Hope You're Listening is a mystery thriller, plot-wise, I would say that they mysterious atmosphere was well done! It kept me guessing and I really didn't foresee how everything will be wrapped up. Even though I hope that the "revelation" should've been MORE, I was still satisfied and contented with how it was done and finished.
Overall, I would recommend I Hope You're Listening to every mystery thriller junkies out there! I Hope You're Listening truly delivered, it will keep you engrossed 'till the very end.
It's never been about me. It's about the people who need finding."
Reading I Hope You're Listening was such a roller coaster ride! The book is mainly about the aftermath of the disappearance of our protagonist's bestfriend. Dee was with Sibby the day she disappeared and naturally, she somehow blames herself for what happened. Some days she still finds herself thinking, "what could I have done differently to prevent her from being abducted?" The trauma is still haunting her and her true crime podcast helps her with dealing with this.
This book has been marketed under the Thriller and Mystery genre and even though those are correct, I can't help but still be terrified as if what I'm reading is a Horror book. It's probably because I know that this kind of stuff happens in real life. The book truly captured the horrifying and heart-breaking events of having someone being taken away from you without you and that someone's consent. I Hope You're Listening was fast paced and truly an absorbing read. Each chapter leaves you interested and wanting for more. With Tom Ryans very readable writing, it's not hard to get lost on Dee's world and life. You'll find yourself feeling like she does. Wondering like she does. And wanting the truth like she does.
Dee is a great character, she's not perfect in any way but I found myself rooting for her. Tom Ryan penned realistic and likeable characters and as the thrill and mystery solidify, you can't help but think that one of them is the "bad guy" I didn't have any issues with the characters at all, however, I did hope that the romance aspect was executed in a different way. I admire the fact that Dee doesn't have to come out at any point in the book, but I wished that Dee getting together with that particular character didn't happen so fast.
As I Hope You're Listening is a mystery thriller, plot-wise, I would say that they mysterious atmosphere was well done! It kept me guessing and I really didn't foresee how everything will be wrapped up. Even though I hope that the "revelation" should've been MORE, I was still satisfied and contented with how it was done and finished.
Overall, I would recommend I Hope You're Listening to every mystery thriller junkies out there! I Hope You're Listening truly delivered, it will keep you engrossed 'till the very end.
September 26, 2020
On my blog.
Rep: wlw mc & li
CWs: child abduction
Galley provided by publisher
I Hope You’re Listening is a fast paced, tense mystery novel that follows Dee, ten years ago the witness to the abduction of her best friend, when another child is abducted.
Dee has spent ten years with the knowledge that she is the sole witness to an abduction, but unable to recall much about it. To cope, she started a podcast, where she takes an unsolved case and, with the help of her followers, starts to dig up potential leads. When another child is abducted, she is forced to confront the possibility of her identity, and her link to Sibby’s abduction, being exposed.
I will admit that, going into this, I was expecting probably more of a mystery story than I got. That’s not to say I didn’t like what I got, but if you’re expecting something a bit more like Keep This to Yourself, you may be a little disappointed. Because, really, it’s more of a character-driven novel with mystery aspects. Dee doesn’t start investigating herself until about halfway in. But that’s great. I mean, I love mysteries, but I also love mysteries that are used as a vehicle to explore character development and that’s exactly what’s happening here.
But when the mystery does get going, it gets going so well. The tension of the last quarter of the book was exquisite. I never knew quite what was going to happen with it. I mean, I had my guesses, but it still managed to completely blow them out of the water.
So, if you’re looking for a solid YA mystery, that’s more character-driven, and builds up to an excellent ending, this is for you.
Rep: wlw mc & li
CWs: child abduction
Galley provided by publisher
I Hope You’re Listening is a fast paced, tense mystery novel that follows Dee, ten years ago the witness to the abduction of her best friend, when another child is abducted.
Dee has spent ten years with the knowledge that she is the sole witness to an abduction, but unable to recall much about it. To cope, she started a podcast, where she takes an unsolved case and, with the help of her followers, starts to dig up potential leads. When another child is abducted, she is forced to confront the possibility of her identity, and her link to Sibby’s abduction, being exposed.
I will admit that, going into this, I was expecting probably more of a mystery story than I got. That’s not to say I didn’t like what I got, but if you’re expecting something a bit more like Keep This to Yourself, you may be a little disappointed. Because, really, it’s more of a character-driven novel with mystery aspects. Dee doesn’t start investigating herself until about halfway in. But that’s great. I mean, I love mysteries, but I also love mysteries that are used as a vehicle to explore character development and that’s exactly what’s happening here.
But when the mystery does get going, it gets going so well. The tension of the last quarter of the book was exquisite. I never knew quite what was going to happen with it. I mean, I had my guesses, but it still managed to completely blow them out of the water.
So, if you’re looking for a solid YA mystery, that’s more character-driven, and builds up to an excellent ending, this is for you.
October 6, 2020
✨ You can read the first three chapters on Tom's website here!
Okay so listen: Keep This to Yourself is one of the best YA mystery/thrillers I've ever read and landed Tom Ryan on my insta-buy list for YA thrillers. Of course as a result my expectations going in were super high, the author delivered another thrilling queer YA mystery that I devoured in just under 4 hours!
Ten years ago, Dee witnessed her best friend's abduction while they were playing hide and seek in the woods by their houses. She's been plagued by guilt that despite her best efforts she wasn't able to give the police information that could lead to Sibby's recovery. For the past year, she's been bringing together a true crime army to solve other cases through her podcast Radio Silent.
"The idea for a podcast arrived about a year ago, on a night like tonight. I was lying awake in bed, wallowing in helplessness, when all of a sudden, something shifted. I'd had enough. There had to be something I could do."I like the fresh perspective this brings to the mixed-media podcast element of books like Sadie and I Killed Zoe Spanos. Plagued with sleepless nights and anxiety, Dee works through her feelings by assuming her Seeker identity to shine a light on countless other unsolved cases. She couldn't bring closure to Sibby's disappearance, but with her podcast she enlists the help of true crime fans to bring that closure to others. But she's been careful to keep her real life and her Seeker persona separate, so when another girl goes missing in her town it brings a lot of unresolved feelings up for her.
"But take it from me, even a sad ending is better than no ending at all, and that's always been my goal: to deliver an ending to as many unfinished stories as possible."The book begins with a flashback of the day Sibby went missing ten years in the past (okay, technically, it begins with a snippet of Dee's podcast introduction but that's not the point here), and the author conveyed so much information with the narrative voice's tone. The flashbacks feel exactly how a child would tell a story with the sentence structure and focus on seemingly inconsequential pieces of information... and it immediately made me so protective of Dee. Many mystery/thriller stories are told with the past and present interwoven together in a nonlinear exposition. But let me tell you: Tom Ryan impressed me with his use of this storytelling device with the tonal shift between flashbacks and present day POVs!
I adore the side characters and Dee's relationship with them so much. Her friendship with Burke especially is one I enjoyed, particularly the layers of complex history the two of them have. (PS. Burke must also be protected.) I absolutely adored Dee's relationship with her dad - as well as the fact that her parents aren't absent. As a side note... have you ever read a book and related with the parent before? Because uh... Dee's dad is iconic with his blaring Soundgarden and flannel shirts and this is the first time I've felt my age and I'm having a CRISIS.
In case you aren't aware, this book has a sapphic relationship. The new girl next door Sarah makes for a lovely addition to Dee's life as well, and I appreciate her ride-or-die vibes. However, I'll admit the romance came out of left field a bit for me. With first person perspective, I'm accustomed to more pining thoughts, so when the first kiss happened it felt a little unearned. But, I'm happy to report even though the romance went from zero to sixty, once established it was so soft and heartwarming!
This is a fast paced and intricately plotted read. There isn't any downtime and every moment is full of tension that kept me guessing while describing the settings so well that I could picture it in my head. This wasn't as twisty of a read but definitely surprised me, which is good because I tend to guess the culprits more often than not. I will admit there is one thing that bothered me about how everything wrapped up, which is more than likely as a result of my analytical way of reading more than anything else.
If you're a fan of true crime podcasts and books that incorporate podcast elements like Sadie and I Killed Zoe Spanos, this is definitely a book to TBR! I Hope You're Listening is a fresh addition to the growing body of thrillers incorporating podcasts into the narrative with a fresh perspective.
Representation: f/f relationship, LGBTQIAP+ (lesbian main character)
Content warnings: drug & marijuana use, slut shaming (challenged)
✨ Reader Voracious patrons get access to an exclusive reading vlog & much more over on Patreon!
ARC sent by Albert Whitman & Co for my honest review. This has not affected my opinions in any way. Quotations are from an uncorrected proof and are subject to change upon final publication.
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October 7, 2020
Books, Coffee & Passion
I’m obsessed with podcasts so I knew I needed to read I Hope You’re Listening as soon as I read its synopsis. Additionally, I couldn’t resist the fact that it’s a mystery thriller which made it perfect to read in October. I’m so glad I read it!
I read 50% in one sitting and I only stopped because I needed to work and while I was at work, I kept thinking about this story. As soon as I got home, I finished it because I literally couldn’t wait. I guess you can tell I was really hooked! I totally was. From page one, this book kept me on my toes. Guessing, guessing, guessing. There’s something about Tom Ryan’s writing that captivated me completely and I just couldn’t stop reading. I NEEDED to know what, who and why, especially regarding the main mystery. Yes, there’s more than one mystery!
Dee is an amazing character, she kept so much to herself, she carried so much on her shoulders and even when she was being self-absorbed, like any teenager especially a teen that went through what she did when she was a child, I absolutely loved her. Burke, her childhood friend, was also a great character, their friendship was solid even with its ups and downs and I loved their moments together. I wish we could’ve seen more of Burke as the story developed. I also loved Dee’s Dad, he was so funny and sweet. I really enjoyed the fact he was a stay-at-home Dad. Sarah, who moves into the house across the street, was a great addition to the story. She played a major role in Dee’s character development and I really liked how their relationship grew. She was exactly what Dee needed.
There were a few things that I felt weren’t explained well or at all. Sarah figures something out and I didn’t get how she grasped it. It bothered me that Dee didn’t even ask Sarah how she figured it out which made me feel like there was a piece of the puzzle missing. Also, one of the mysteries, the one wrapped up at the very end of the book, is solved but I couldn’t figure out how too. I don’t think we got the details of how the person who solved it got to the bottom of it or maybe I missed something? Anyway, I really loved how the main mystery is wrapped up, though, as well as the mystery that Dee, as The Seeker, was helping to solve on her podcast. This was the first book written by Tom Ryan I’ve read and it definitely won’t be the last.
Overall, I Hope You’re Listening is a gripping, emotional, fast paced, entertaining, solid YA mystery thriller. I recommend it to readers who enjoy this genre or that are looking for an enjoyable mystery October read.
Rep: LGBTQIAP+
TW: Drug use; Child Abduction/Kidnapping.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
I’m obsessed with podcasts so I knew I needed to read I Hope You’re Listening as soon as I read its synopsis. Additionally, I couldn’t resist the fact that it’s a mystery thriller which made it perfect to read in October. I’m so glad I read it!
I read 50% in one sitting and I only stopped because I needed to work and while I was at work, I kept thinking about this story. As soon as I got home, I finished it because I literally couldn’t wait. I guess you can tell I was really hooked! I totally was. From page one, this book kept me on my toes. Guessing, guessing, guessing. There’s something about Tom Ryan’s writing that captivated me completely and I just couldn’t stop reading. I NEEDED to know what, who and why, especially regarding the main mystery. Yes, there’s more than one mystery!
Dee is an amazing character, she kept so much to herself, she carried so much on her shoulders and even when she was being self-absorbed, like any teenager especially a teen that went through what she did when she was a child, I absolutely loved her. Burke, her childhood friend, was also a great character, their friendship was solid even with its ups and downs and I loved their moments together. I wish we could’ve seen more of Burke as the story developed. I also loved Dee’s Dad, he was so funny and sweet. I really enjoyed the fact he was a stay-at-home Dad. Sarah, who moves into the house across the street, was a great addition to the story. She played a major role in Dee’s character development and I really liked how their relationship grew. She was exactly what Dee needed.
There were a few things that I felt weren’t explained well or at all. Sarah figures something out and I didn’t get how she grasped it. It bothered me that Dee didn’t even ask Sarah how she figured it out which made me feel like there was a piece of the puzzle missing. Also, one of the mysteries, the one wrapped up at the very end of the book, is solved but I couldn’t figure out how too. I don’t think we got the details of how the person who solved it got to the bottom of it or maybe I missed something? Anyway, I really loved how the main mystery is wrapped up, though, as well as the mystery that Dee, as The Seeker, was helping to solve on her podcast. This was the first book written by Tom Ryan I’ve read and it definitely won’t be the last.
Overall, I Hope You’re Listening is a gripping, emotional, fast paced, entertaining, solid YA mystery thriller. I recommend it to readers who enjoy this genre or that are looking for an enjoyable mystery October read.
Rep: LGBTQIAP+
TW: Drug use; Child Abduction/Kidnapping.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
November 3, 2020
I was very excited when I received this arc and even though it took me forever to actually get around to it this book lived up to all of the expectations. My first Tom Ryan book was Keep This to Yourself and this was every bit as good. There's just something about mysteries surrounding childhood friends and the surviving friend doing their best to figure out what happened that Tom just excels at. I'm also not sure what it says about me to love that very niche mystery says about me?
I loved everything about this, the way the tension slowly ratchets up, the way I felt I was solving the case right alongside Dee only for the twist to surprise me in the best way possible with all the clues right there and just not assembled in any kind of way I would have put them together. The side characters were also just great; Burke and Dee's father were clear standouts for me. Dee's father in particular, that man is gonna stick with me for a while. The friends lovers with Sarah and Dee was also v cute, love that for them. Dee as a protagonist I found to be highly relatable and I was rooting for her at every turn as she tried to process past trauma and navigate the current situation she found herself in.
Also I'm not a person that usually says that a book has certain vibes, but the autumnal/wintery vibes were here for me. If you're looking for those, here they are. 10/10 would highly recommend this one. I could not and did not want to put this book down almost from the moment that I read the first chapter.
I loved everything about this, the way the tension slowly ratchets up, the way I felt I was solving the case right alongside Dee only for the twist to surprise me in the best way possible with all the clues right there and just not assembled in any kind of way I would have put them together. The side characters were also just great; Burke and Dee's father were clear standouts for me. Dee's father in particular, that man is gonna stick with me for a while. The friends lovers with Sarah and Dee was also v cute, love that for them. Dee as a protagonist I found to be highly relatable and I was rooting for her at every turn as she tried to process past trauma and navigate the current situation she found herself in.
Also I'm not a person that usually says that a book has certain vibes, but the autumnal/wintery vibes were here for me. If you're looking for those, here they are. 10/10 would highly recommend this one. I could not and did not want to put this book down almost from the moment that I read the first chapter.
July 4, 2020
I Hope You’re Listening is perfect for people who love podcasts, true crime, and shows like Unsolved Mysteries of A Crime to Remember- and I am One of those people!
First of all, I’d like to point out how much I love the cover, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it was my initial reason for wanting to request the book. Second of all, I’d like to say how much I appreciated the queer representation in this book. No one had to come out and it was wonderful for the two characters to just be.
I really savored this mystery and thought several times I knew what was going to happen, but can safely say that I missed a fair amount. I’ve seen the mystery compared to Sadie, and I’d add that you may like this if you enjoyed The Girls by Emma Cline! The only thing that I was wanting at the end of the book was more of the podcast entries. I think my favorite part was the time spent on the missing people, specifically Delia’s care with the human beings involved with the cases. Since diving deeper into the true crime world I’ve had my eyes opened to the amount of people go missing with no answers ever found. Those people deserve for their stories to be found and told and anyone can help with that. I encourage you to join your local missing persons page, and maybe you don’t become a Laptop Detective but you might be able to help someone.
As the Seeker says:
“Listen Up.
Let’s Try.”
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
First of all, I’d like to point out how much I love the cover, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it was my initial reason for wanting to request the book. Second of all, I’d like to say how much I appreciated the queer representation in this book. No one had to come out and it was wonderful for the two characters to just be.
I really savored this mystery and thought several times I knew what was going to happen, but can safely say that I missed a fair amount. I’ve seen the mystery compared to Sadie, and I’d add that you may like this if you enjoyed The Girls by Emma Cline! The only thing that I was wanting at the end of the book was more of the podcast entries. I think my favorite part was the time spent on the missing people, specifically Delia’s care with the human beings involved with the cases. Since diving deeper into the true crime world I’ve had my eyes opened to the amount of people go missing with no answers ever found. Those people deserve for their stories to be found and told and anyone can help with that. I encourage you to join your local missing persons page, and maybe you don’t become a Laptop Detective but you might be able to help someone.
As the Seeker says:
“Listen Up.
Let’s Try.”
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
May 13, 2020
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING by Tom Ryan in exchange for my honest review.***
Oh Tom Ryan, I’m falling in book-love with you. I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING is even better than Ryan’s last year gem KEEP THIS TO YOURSELF. I’m a sucker for missing person stories, so I knew I had to preorder. Billed as a cross between SADIE and TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET, I hoped the hype didn’t set me up for disappointment. Reading I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING is the opposite of disappointing.
I fell in love with seven-year-old Delia and her best friend Sibby. Ryan expertly captured Dee’s voice in a way that made me feel like a kid was telling me her story. Often, I can tell the gender of a writer by the representation of girls and women characters. Ryan’s female characters are as authentic as women writers’ in a way I haven’t read since adult literary fiction writer Chris Bohjalian.
I don’t want to give away any plot points for fear of spoiling a single word of I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING. Delia’s podcast episodes felt as real as Sadie’s. I hope publishers find a spectacular narrator to do the audiobook.
Rush right out and preorder or order I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING. Then schedule a day to read without interruption.
Oh Tom Ryan, I’m falling in book-love with you. I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING is even better than Ryan’s last year gem KEEP THIS TO YOURSELF. I’m a sucker for missing person stories, so I knew I had to preorder. Billed as a cross between SADIE and TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET, I hoped the hype didn’t set me up for disappointment. Reading I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING is the opposite of disappointing.
I fell in love with seven-year-old Delia and her best friend Sibby. Ryan expertly captured Dee’s voice in a way that made me feel like a kid was telling me her story. Often, I can tell the gender of a writer by the representation of girls and women characters. Ryan’s female characters are as authentic as women writers’ in a way I haven’t read since adult literary fiction writer Chris Bohjalian.
I don’t want to give away any plot points for fear of spoiling a single word of I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING. Delia’s podcast episodes felt as real as Sadie’s. I hope publishers find a spectacular narrator to do the audiobook.
Rush right out and preorder or order I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING. Then schedule a day to read without interruption.
April 24, 2021
amo los thrillers, me fascinan y este estuvo muy bien, un poco predecible pero disfrutable
June 9, 2020
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy!
2.5 stars in actuality, probably. It just didn't do it for me. There wasn't enough focus on the podcast and the actual mysteries both had completely outlandish endings.
One thing that really annoyed me is that someone finds out that Dee is the creator of the podcast, but she literally NEVER even bothers to ask them how they found out, and the person never gives up that information. This comes after her best friend repeatedly tells her in detail how secure her identity is and how there's nothing linking her to the podcast.
Also there is a weird case of instalove here. Instalove doesn't actually bother me in a lot of YA, just because I know as a teen I thought I loved people that I didn't even talk to!! But after kissing once, Dee calls her her girlfriend, and after us seeing them interact maybe 3 times Dee tells her she loves her. There just wasn't enough on-page bonding to make even justified instalove seem believable.
I did like how Dee liked girls and she never had a coming out moment or even explicitly told the reader. She just talked about it like it was completely normal which I can always appreciate. Straight characters never have to come out and make the announcement that they're straight.
I was just really left feeling like "well.... that solves the mystery, huh...." during the big reveals. They were really clunky and had to be fully explained, and I feel like good mysteries at least leave hints throughout. I like to at least have the option to figure out the ending ahead of time, not have it completely blindside me.
As I usually say with YA mysteries that I'm personally unimpressed with, I do think that teens just making their way into the mystery genre would like this. The queer representation is enough of a merit to include it with other beginner mysteries.
2.5 stars in actuality, probably. It just didn't do it for me. There wasn't enough focus on the podcast and the actual mysteries both had completely outlandish endings.
One thing that really annoyed me is that someone finds out that Dee is the creator of the podcast, but she literally NEVER even bothers to ask them how they found out, and the person never gives up that information. This comes after her best friend repeatedly tells her in detail how secure her identity is and how there's nothing linking her to the podcast.
Also there is a weird case of instalove here. Instalove doesn't actually bother me in a lot of YA, just because I know as a teen I thought I loved people that I didn't even talk to!! But after kissing once, Dee calls her her girlfriend, and after us seeing them interact maybe 3 times Dee tells her she loves her. There just wasn't enough on-page bonding to make even justified instalove seem believable.
I did like how Dee liked girls and she never had a coming out moment or even explicitly told the reader. She just talked about it like it was completely normal which I can always appreciate. Straight characters never have to come out and make the announcement that they're straight.
I was just really left feeling like "well.... that solves the mystery, huh...." during the big reveals. They were really clunky and had to be fully explained, and I feel like good mysteries at least leave hints throughout. I like to at least have the option to figure out the ending ahead of time, not have it completely blindside me.
As I usually say with YA mysteries that I'm personally unimpressed with, I do think that teens just making their way into the mystery genre would like this. The queer representation is enough of a merit to include it with other beginner mysteries.
October 14, 2022
I've been enjoying these podcast mysteries. It's fun seeing the people make them and how they put everything together into an episode and solve the murder or disappearance. I doubt I could ever be a professional investigator, but it would be interesting to try.
Dee runs a successful true crime podcast where she helps people around the world come together and solve disappearances in real time. She's been struggling with guilt since her best friend was kidnapped in front of her and is trying to help others to "make up" for what happened. I liked her a lot, she was smart and caring and I appreciate how hard she worked to figure out what happened to Sibby.
A couple times I thought the story got slow, but overall this was entertaining and a good audiobook.
Dee runs a successful true crime podcast where she helps people around the world come together and solve disappearances in real time. She's been struggling with guilt since her best friend was kidnapped in front of her and is trying to help others to "make up" for what happened. I liked her a lot, she was smart and caring and I appreciate how hard she worked to figure out what happened to Sibby.
A couple times I thought the story got slow, but overall this was entertaining and a good audiobook.
September 11, 2020
This book is perfect for YA readers and has a great storyline. If you are wondering why my rating doesn't reflect what I've just said, its because I had higher expectations for this book. I love mysteries, and especially in the YA genre, they can be amazing. This book just didn't live up to how it started. The ending was anticlimactic, so it kind of ruined the entire book. But don't only take my word for it, I am pretty judgemental.... overall it's a decent read and worth it if you are at all interested in the plot.
September 6, 2020
I loved Keep This To Yourself and Tom Ryan does it again! I could not put this book down. RTC.
January 11, 2023
A good YA thriller/mystery. The pacing of the ending felt a little bit weird and there were some slow moments, but overall a good afternoon read.
October 16, 2020
I received this book from the Tour Host in exchange of an honest review.
I was already looking forward to this book and so I was excited that I had the chance to read it early. In the end I managed to wait at least until October 1st as I wanted this one for Hallowtober. But boy this was a ride, I just couldn’t stop reading. Thankfully, between all the exciting parts there were also some moments to breathe.
Meet Dee, or Delia. A girl who had a very traumatic experience. When she was a kid her best friend got kidnapped while she was there. We see how that still affects her to the day and also that this is why she started the podcast. To at least help out others because she couldn’t help Sibby. She is a strong character, or at least tries to be. I loved her from the first page and she only got better with each new piece of information we get about her.
At times we go back in time, 10 years, to the moment when the kidnapping happened. My heart broke when we got the last piece of the puzzle. Poor Dee. 🙁
I am not a fan of podcasts in real life, probably for the same reason as I am one to read audiobooks. My ADHD just doesn’t let me concentrate on things like that. But I do LOVE LOVE podcasts in books, especially thriller/mystery books as it definitely adds something to the story. I also liked, hopefully that is the correct word given what the podcast is about, the podcast and how much hard work Dee put into it. And how much good it did. We see several cases and we also read about other cases. Dee has quite a record with finding people, so I could only imagine how hard it is for her that she never could find her best friend.
The romance was just perfection, it was there and it was fantastic, but it wasn’t overpowering from the mystery, the exciting moments. Sometimes that happens, so I am happy with how it ws done here. You are definitely shipping these characters. I just love reading how Sarah affected Dee. Just by wearing something cute, or just by saying something. It was adorable. I loved seeing them get closer and I just loved how sweet Sarah was. How she listened, how she figured out Dee’s secret but also kept it a secret, and so on.
I absolutely loved Dee’s parents, and my favourite would be the dad. He was just hilarious and wonderful. The things he said just didn’t fit his age so that both his wife and daughter would at times cringe at it. I had a big laugh when Dee and Burke came home… to find Dee’s dad totally baked. 😛
I am still not sure about Burke. On the one hand, great character and I do understand why he changed and became more distant. HOWEVER, I was just pissed that he kept pushing Dee into doing a podcast about Layla while she clearly said no. While she clearly was uncomfortable with it all. Respect her damned wishes. Even later on he keeps saying stuff that just had me rolling my eyes. I get he was affected just like Dee, just like many people. But no need to chew her out. 😐
Quinlee (or whatever the bitch name was) was one of the worst characters in the book and I kept hoping that karma would dole out some justice because hot dang that woman is a mess.
I loved that this all took place in a small town. There is just something special about mystery/thriller books that take place in there. Everyone knows each other.
The ending and seeing Dee go full out on finding Sibby was just wonderful, exciting, the pages went by even faster than they already did. It was great to see Dee follow the snippets of information she had and make something out of it. She is always saying that she just finds the stories to tell on her podcast and that she leaves the rest to the Laptop Detectives, but here she is, along with Sarah, and she is doing something amazing.
That scene when she found
The Layla case was also an interesting one and the parallels with Sibby were creepy. I can just imagine how it is for Dee, for the town. Another missing girl. Exactly 10 years after. Copycat? The same person again? I am glad that this case also got closure, and no I won’t tell you what happens.
I was so happy with the last chapters. That was a great way to end this book. A great conclusion.
All in all, if you are looking for an exciting and mysterious read with great characters and sweet LGBT romance? Try out this one. Perfect for this Halloween season.
I was already looking forward to this book and so I was excited that I had the chance to read it early. In the end I managed to wait at least until October 1st as I wanted this one for Hallowtober. But boy this was a ride, I just couldn’t stop reading. Thankfully, between all the exciting parts there were also some moments to breathe.
Meet Dee, or Delia. A girl who had a very traumatic experience. When she was a kid her best friend got kidnapped while she was there. We see how that still affects her to the day and also that this is why she started the podcast. To at least help out others because she couldn’t help Sibby. She is a strong character, or at least tries to be. I loved her from the first page and she only got better with each new piece of information we get about her.
At times we go back in time, 10 years, to the moment when the kidnapping happened. My heart broke when we got the last piece of the puzzle. Poor Dee. 🙁
I am not a fan of podcasts in real life, probably for the same reason as I am one to read audiobooks. My ADHD just doesn’t let me concentrate on things like that. But I do LOVE LOVE podcasts in books, especially thriller/mystery books as it definitely adds something to the story. I also liked, hopefully that is the correct word given what the podcast is about, the podcast and how much hard work Dee put into it. And how much good it did. We see several cases and we also read about other cases. Dee has quite a record with finding people, so I could only imagine how hard it is for her that she never could find her best friend.
The romance was just perfection, it was there and it was fantastic, but it wasn’t overpowering from the mystery, the exciting moments. Sometimes that happens, so I am happy with how it ws done here. You are definitely shipping these characters. I just love reading how Sarah affected Dee. Just by wearing something cute, or just by saying something. It was adorable. I loved seeing them get closer and I just loved how sweet Sarah was. How she listened, how she figured out Dee’s secret but also kept it a secret, and so on.
I absolutely loved Dee’s parents, and my favourite would be the dad. He was just hilarious and wonderful. The things he said just didn’t fit his age so that both his wife and daughter would at times cringe at it. I had a big laugh when Dee and Burke came home… to find Dee’s dad totally baked. 😛
I am still not sure about Burke. On the one hand, great character and I do understand why he changed and became more distant. HOWEVER, I was just pissed that he kept pushing Dee into doing a podcast about Layla while she clearly said no. While she clearly was uncomfortable with it all. Respect her damned wishes. Even later on he keeps saying stuff that just had me rolling my eyes. I get he was affected just like Dee, just like many people. But no need to chew her out. 😐
Quinlee (or whatever the bitch name was) was one of the worst characters in the book and I kept hoping that karma would dole out some justice because hot dang that woman is a mess.
I loved that this all took place in a small town. There is just something special about mystery/thriller books that take place in there. Everyone knows each other.
The ending and seeing Dee go full out on finding Sibby was just wonderful, exciting, the pages went by even faster than they already did. It was great to see Dee follow the snippets of information she had and make something out of it. She is always saying that she just finds the stories to tell on her podcast and that she leaves the rest to the Laptop Detectives, but here she is, along with Sarah, and she is doing something amazing.
That scene when she found
The Layla case was also an interesting one and the parallels with Sibby were creepy. I can just imagine how it is for Dee, for the town. Another missing girl. Exactly 10 years after. Copycat? The same person again? I am glad that this case also got closure, and no I won’t tell you what happens.
I was so happy with the last chapters. That was a great way to end this book. A great conclusion.
All in all, if you are looking for an exciting and mysterious read with great characters and sweet LGBT romance? Try out this one. Perfect for this Halloween season.
August 25, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
WOW. This needs to be turned into a movie immediately!
Ten years ago, Dee Skinner witnessed the kidnapping of her childhood friend, Sibby Carmichael. Throughout the years, there has been no signs of Sibby, and all Dee has been left with are the haunting memories of being in the forest when her friend was taken. Now, in order to deal with pain, Dee runs an anonymous podcast called Radio Silent, where she discusses missing person cases and encourages her listeners to help her solve these cases. Shockingly, another girl goes missing--from the family who moved into Dee's childhood house. With potential links to Sibby's case, Dee gets a chance to finally find some answers after all these years.
I Hope You're Listening was fantastic. It's a mystery/thriller that will keep you on your toes, especially as the book advances. Dee's pain and trauma are written respectfully and while this isn't the first book I've read about a secret podcast, it was still entertaining. I also appreciated the lovely queer representation. There were no conversations about gay suffering and woes about coming out--it was just two girls who liked each other and decided to be girlfriends. I thought this was quite refreshing and the subtleness worked well with the story since the main focus was on Dee finding out more about Sibby. The ending was far from disappointing; I was pleasantly surprised with how nicely things wrapped up.
I did think that the beginning was a bit slow (it definitely took me a few tries to get into this book) and there were some elements of the plot that were jumped into too quickly, but overall, I thought Tom Ryan's approach to a thriller was excellent. Again, the beginning took some time to get into, but after pushing passed that, I read the last 60% of the book in one sitting. Would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in YA thriller/mystery, especially one with LGBTQ representation!
4.5 stars
WOW. This needs to be turned into a movie immediately!
Ten years ago, Dee Skinner witnessed the kidnapping of her childhood friend, Sibby Carmichael. Throughout the years, there has been no signs of Sibby, and all Dee has been left with are the haunting memories of being in the forest when her friend was taken. Now, in order to deal with pain, Dee runs an anonymous podcast called Radio Silent, where she discusses missing person cases and encourages her listeners to help her solve these cases. Shockingly, another girl goes missing--from the family who moved into Dee's childhood house. With potential links to Sibby's case, Dee gets a chance to finally find some answers after all these years.
I Hope You're Listening was fantastic. It's a mystery/thriller that will keep you on your toes, especially as the book advances. Dee's pain and trauma are written respectfully and while this isn't the first book I've read about a secret podcast, it was still entertaining. I also appreciated the lovely queer representation. There were no conversations about gay suffering and woes about coming out--it was just two girls who liked each other and decided to be girlfriends. I thought this was quite refreshing and the subtleness worked well with the story since the main focus was on Dee finding out more about Sibby. The ending was far from disappointing; I was pleasantly surprised with how nicely things wrapped up.
I did think that the beginning was a bit slow (it definitely took me a few tries to get into this book) and there were some elements of the plot that were jumped into too quickly, but overall, I thought Tom Ryan's approach to a thriller was excellent. Again, the beginning took some time to get into, but after pushing passed that, I read the last 60% of the book in one sitting. Would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in YA thriller/mystery, especially one with LGBTQ representation!
August 25, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and AW Teen for the ARC of this book.
4.5 stars. This was just SO good! It was a pleasure to follow Dee's journey along with her: while searching for others, she also learned so much about herself. The dread built up throughout the story, but I was completely in the dark until the last quarter of the book, where stuff got REALLY real, REALLY fast. I was definitely on the edge of my seat. Plus, the ending is poignant and satisfying. My only real plot-related gripe is that I felt like the romance could have been more developed, but I still thought it was sweet.
(The e-ARC I got definitely needs some intense editing, so I hope that gets cleared up before final publication.)
4.5 stars. This was just SO good! It was a pleasure to follow Dee's journey along with her: while searching for others, she also learned so much about herself. The dread built up throughout the story, but I was completely in the dark until the last quarter of the book, where stuff got REALLY real, REALLY fast. I was definitely on the edge of my seat. Plus, the ending is poignant and satisfying. My only real plot-related gripe is that I felt like the romance could have been more developed, but I still thought it was sweet.
(The e-ARC I got definitely needs some intense editing, so I hope that gets cleared up before final publication.)
November 5, 2020
What a dredful experience. I was not fully engage in the story at any point and all of the characters just felt flat for me.
The writing sucked. He kept changing one of the characters name within the same chapter(was it Ron or Bill. I guess I'll never know); and the repetead information (like literally the same paragraph) in different parts of the story.
The instalove was the worst part though. They were literally two pages together and then boom, they're in a relationship telling each other they are madly in love. Thats not how it works.
Overall, I wouldnt reccomend this to anyone; its just a waste of your time.
The writing sucked. He kept changing one of the characters name within the same chapter(was it Ron or Bill. I guess I'll never know); and the repetead information (like literally the same paragraph) in different parts of the story.
The instalove was the worst part though. They were literally two pages together and then boom, they're in a relationship telling each other they are madly in love. Thats not how it works.
Overall, I wouldnt reccomend this to anyone; its just a waste of your time.
July 10, 2020
I adored every single thing about this. It was honestly the perfect mystery-thriller for me. I mean, childhood best friends?? an old abduction that gets attention again 10 years later?? girls falling in love?? main character with a secret crime podcast??
This story was twisty, creepy and beautiful all rolled into one. The main character owns my heart and I loved watching how she unfolded the mysteries of the cases.
This story was twisty, creepy and beautiful all rolled into one. The main character owns my heart and I loved watching how she unfolded the mysteries of the cases.
Want to read
October 6, 2020This has everything I needed in a book and more! I'm dying of waiting so patiently for this! Now I know how being tortured to death feels like...all because of this book and nothing else! <3
November 10, 2020
I just want to start this off by saying that I am not a mystery reader. As a genre, I normally avoid it. I think I normally find the stories unrealistic, and the characters irrational. While both of those elements were present in this book, I really loved the way it explored the mysteries and the surrounding cases.
I Hope You’re Listening is the tale of Dee, the girl who was left behind. Ten years earlier, her best friend Sibby was abducted while they played together, and she was never found. Trying to deal with her guilt of not being able to save her, Dee runs a true crime podcast focused on missing persons cases. After another little girl disappears from Sibby’s former house, Dee is forced to relive and rediscover the events of ten years before.
I know some other reviewers have complained about the podcast elements, but I really loved them. I found Vanessa and Nia’s cases super interesting, and I loved watching them develop. I felt like the podcast really added an element that I’d never seen before, that made this different than other mysteries. The podcast also allowed us to get to know Dee a bit better, which I loved.
I was a bit disappointed by the ending of this, but it was minor disappointment. The mystery involving Sibby was done excellently, I was even getting creeped out by the end. I was invested and curious as to what had happened to her the entire time, which is essential in a mystery. It wrapped up in the best way possible, making the writing of Layla’s case seem even worse. I felt like her case wrapped up way too quickly, and without much foreshadowing. It felt like it came out of nowhere, and just felt slightly anticlimactic.
I didn’t care too much about Sarah and Dee’s romance. It was a small part of the story thankfully, but I almost feel like it needed a bit more page time to really develop. Instead of feeling like Sarah was an essential part of the story, an independent character, she felt like she was only there to be the love interest. They got together too fast for my tastes, and I just never connected to either of them.
Despite complaining about both the romance, and the resolution of one of the mysteries, I really enjoyed this book! It felt unique, and I was super invested in the story. I’d definitely recommend to fans of mystery!
Thanks to Tom Ryan and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
I Hope You’re Listening is the tale of Dee, the girl who was left behind. Ten years earlier, her best friend Sibby was abducted while they played together, and she was never found. Trying to deal with her guilt of not being able to save her, Dee runs a true crime podcast focused on missing persons cases. After another little girl disappears from Sibby’s former house, Dee is forced to relive and rediscover the events of ten years before.
I know some other reviewers have complained about the podcast elements, but I really loved them. I found Vanessa and Nia’s cases super interesting, and I loved watching them develop. I felt like the podcast really added an element that I’d never seen before, that made this different than other mysteries. The podcast also allowed us to get to know Dee a bit better, which I loved.
I was a bit disappointed by the ending of this, but it was minor disappointment. The mystery involving Sibby was done excellently, I was even getting creeped out by the end. I was invested and curious as to what had happened to her the entire time, which is essential in a mystery. It wrapped up in the best way possible, making the writing of Layla’s case seem even worse. I felt like her case wrapped up way too quickly, and without much foreshadowing. It felt like it came out of nowhere, and just felt slightly anticlimactic.
I didn’t care too much about Sarah and Dee’s romance. It was a small part of the story thankfully, but I almost feel like it needed a bit more page time to really develop. Instead of feeling like Sarah was an essential part of the story, an independent character, she felt like she was only there to be the love interest. They got together too fast for my tastes, and I just never connected to either of them.
Despite complaining about both the romance, and the resolution of one of the mysteries, I really enjoyed this book! It felt unique, and I was super invested in the story. I’d definitely recommend to fans of mystery!
Thanks to Tom Ryan and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
May 18, 2021
Probably 3.25 stars if I want to get particular about it. I liked this but I wasn't super satisfied with the way it ended.
All the way until the end, I thought I was probably going to give this a 3.5-4 stars. I liked the characters, especially Dee. I would have liked to have seen more of her relationship with Burke and her family but generally she was interesting. I liked her relationship with Sarah, though it definitely was a bit quick moving. I liked the podcast stuff. My only complaint there was that I would have liked the podcast to be a bit more relevant to the central mystery in this book and not just a side mystery. I really liked the writing. This book was super quick to get through and a very fun read and I think a lot of that is because of the good writing. Basically, there was a lot to love about this book, it just didn't quite do it for me.
Outside of my problems with the mysteries, I just felt like there were a lot of loose ends at the end of this. I wanted to know more about the other journalist that Dee met up with. I wanted to know how the podcast mystery ended up being solved. We never got to learn why Brianna didn't like Dee. I just had a lot of questions at the end.
With the mystery, it did something I really don't like. The solution is something super unexpected to the point that there were no hints of it and you couldn't have predicted it. The answer to the Sibby mystery isn't introduced until way late in the book. I usually don't try to solve mysteries as I'm reading them because I'm bad at it but I like to see how earlier things connected to the answer once it's revealed. In this case, I don't think anything in the early part of the book mattered for figuring out the mystery. The Layla mystery is also solved in a way that left me unsatisfied because it was also very hard if not impossible to predict. I just don't think there were enough clues left for the reader in the earlier parts of this story. The podcast mystery ending is completely unsatisfactory because we don't get to know anything about how it concluded beyond that it did conclude.
I liked this book. I would have given it a much higher rating if the mysteries were more satisfying. I will definitely be keep my eye out for whatever this author publishes next. If this book seems interesting, I would still say go ahead and pick it up and hopefully you'll enjoy the reading experience.
All the way until the end, I thought I was probably going to give this a 3.5-4 stars. I liked the characters, especially Dee. I would have liked to have seen more of her relationship with Burke and her family but generally she was interesting. I liked her relationship with Sarah, though it definitely was a bit quick moving. I liked the podcast stuff. My only complaint there was that I would have liked the podcast to be a bit more relevant to the central mystery in this book and not just a side mystery. I really liked the writing. This book was super quick to get through and a very fun read and I think a lot of that is because of the good writing. Basically, there was a lot to love about this book, it just didn't quite do it for me.
Outside of my problems with the mysteries, I just felt like there were a lot of loose ends at the end of this. I wanted to know more about the other journalist that Dee met up with. I wanted to know how the podcast mystery ended up being solved. We never got to learn why Brianna didn't like Dee. I just had a lot of questions at the end.
With the mystery, it did something I really don't like. The solution is something super unexpected to the point that there were no hints of it and you couldn't have predicted it. The answer to the Sibby mystery isn't introduced until way late in the book. I usually don't try to solve mysteries as I'm reading them because I'm bad at it but I like to see how earlier things connected to the answer once it's revealed. In this case, I don't think anything in the early part of the book mattered for figuring out the mystery. The Layla mystery is also solved in a way that left me unsatisfied because it was also very hard if not impossible to predict. I just don't think there were enough clues left for the reader in the earlier parts of this story. The podcast mystery ending is completely unsatisfactory because we don't get to know anything about how it concluded beyond that it did conclude.
I liked this book. I would have given it a much higher rating if the mysteries were more satisfying. I will definitely be keep my eye out for whatever this author publishes next. If this book seems interesting, I would still say go ahead and pick it up and hopefully you'll enjoy the reading experience.
October 18, 2020
I've honestly never listened to podcasts, but after reading I Hope You're Listening. After reading this book that may just need to change. I loved how our main character's podcast was intertwined with this story and how something created to make a character feel she was doing something turned out to become something so big.
The main character Dee has experienced something traumatic. Her best friend was kidnapped when they were younger. She was there that day and it's something that still haunts her. This is something she always carries with her, but even more so now when a little girl is taken from her old house. I really liked Dee as a character. After experiencing something like that she still tries to live her life and even help through a true crime podcast to help find missing people. I can't imagine how it feels to know you're still here when your best friend isn't. I loved how determined she was and strong. Yeah, she may have been a bit reckless at times, but I can completely understand that.
I loved the mystery in I Hope You're Listening. I tried solving the puzzle along with our main characters, but I wouldn't have guessed how this was going to end. It fit the story really well though and I love when an author takes a story to a place I didn't see coming. The author created an atmospheric book that kept me reading. As always with mysteries, you really need to experience it yourself. I do know that I'll be looking into the author's other books after loving this one.
The main character Dee has experienced something traumatic. Her best friend was kidnapped when they were younger. She was there that day and it's something that still haunts her. This is something she always carries with her, but even more so now when a little girl is taken from her old house. I really liked Dee as a character. After experiencing something like that she still tries to live her life and even help through a true crime podcast to help find missing people. I can't imagine how it feels to know you're still here when your best friend isn't. I loved how determined she was and strong. Yeah, she may have been a bit reckless at times, but I can completely understand that.
I loved the mystery in I Hope You're Listening. I tried solving the puzzle along with our main characters, but I wouldn't have guessed how this was going to end. It fit the story really well though and I love when an author takes a story to a place I didn't see coming. The author created an atmospheric book that kept me reading. As always with mysteries, you really need to experience it yourself. I do know that I'll be looking into the author's other books after loving this one.
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