Everyone's Thinking It

by Aleema Omotoni

Mean Girls meets Dear White People in this big-hearted, sharp-witted UK boarding school story about family, friendship, and belonging—with a propulsive mystery at its heart.

Within the walls of Wodebury Hall, an elite boarding school in the English countryside, reputation is everything. But aspiring photographer Iyanu is more comfortable observing things safely from behind her camera.

For Iyanu’s estranged cousin, Kitan, life seems perfect. She has money, beauty, and friends like queen bee Heather. But as a Nigerian girl in a school as white and insular as Wodebury, Kitan struggles with the personal sacrifices needed to keep her place—and the protection she gets—within the exclusive popular crowd.

Then photos from Iyanu’s camera are stolen and splashed across the school the week before the Valentine’s Day Ball—each with a juicy secret written on it. With everyone’s dirty laundry suddenly out in the open, the school explodes in chaos, and the whispers accusing Iyanu of being the one behind it all start to feel like déjà vu.

Each girl is desperate to unravel the mystery of who stole the photos and why. But exposing the truth will change them all forever.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Contemporary, Romance, Queer, Dark Academia, LGBT

Hardcover

First published September 5, 2023

About the author

Aleema Omotoni is an award-winning British-Nigerian author. She writes novels that centre Black teens coming of age, falling in love, and navigating all kinds of contemporary and fantasy worlds. She loves knitting, podcasts about her special interests and colourful Autumn walks in her favourite London parks.

Her debut novel, EVERYONE’S THINKING IT, won the 2024 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Youth/Teens.

Reviews

[myo ⋆｡˚ ❀ * · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was actually surprisingly very fun? i loved the found family vibes and the romances were fun too! also this book is messy as hell so i stayed entertained

[amarachireads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25/5 but I’m rounding up because the Nigerian in me felt so happy reading this!

Okay I really really liked this book, it was slow in the beginning but once it picked up I was into these teenagers, their drama and the mystery. I loved the main characters Kitan and Iyana so much, they were great complex characters. The school vibes reminded of the drama that went on in boarding schools and it fun to read. I loved how the author explored racism, colorism, and black fishing in an easy and compelling way that flowed with the mystery plot. There’s a lot of pining, teenage romance subplots and side characters that I both loved and hated lol. What I loved the most was how Nigerian this book was even though it didn’t take place in Nigeria. From the food and the characters speaking/insulting people in Yoruba, to the indomie and suya references and all the wonderful nods to our culture I loved it so much. Please read this if you want a ya mystery with mean girls,secrets, stakeouts, culture and some teenage angst.

Tropes/themes:
- Ya academia
- Dear white people meets mean girls
- Prestigious boarding school
- Dual pov
- Nigerian fmc
- Bipoc characters
- Queer characters
- Teenage pining

[kimberly ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars


omg omg omg what a book!!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.25

This book definitely solidified my hatred of high school students. They’re so…evil. It was actually realistic how all of the characters are little shits who do terrible things that you kinda just move on from cause Teens Will Do Stupid Teen Stuff. Except, obviously, certain…people…who were so hilariously evil it was actually quite entertaining. I honestly didn’t expect to have this much fun because I’ve said before I don’t like YA, but the mix of me being on an eight hour plane ride with nothing to do and needing to read this definitely added up in my favor. It was great.

I have to point this out for transparency’s sake: three of the main/side (??? I can never tell the difference. All three are important to the plot but don’t get POV’s) characters are Cuban and Yes That Absolutely Might Have Affected My Rating A Little. It caught me by surprise and I really wasn’t expecting it so it was not on purpose!!! But I can’t help it that I suddenly enjoy a book more if it reminds me of my country. It’s who I am. Also it helped that all three of them were genuinely good people and likable and one of them was the main love interest (YESS).

All the other characters are…you gotta read it. Iyanu is unequivocally great. Like, she’s objectively the best person in this book. Kitan’s POV was very entertaining as she was caught right in the middle of that world. Both good main characters who guide the reader through an exploration of race, sexuality, and discovering one’s safe space when young.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

[Aleema Omotoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited to share this story with all of you soon ❤️

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, not bad at all, though I do wish I liked it more. The premise seemed really interesting, but the execution could've been a little better.

I had trouble differentiating between the two MCs on audiobook (it might be different if you're reading it by yourself), they were so similar.

Eventually, there was enough development for me to say okay yes, this is Iyanu and this is Kitan, but you easily could've switched them around at any point in the story and it wouldn't have really mattered.

The mystery aspect wasn't the strongest, but I was reading this more for the vibes anyway, which were on point. I liked the writing style as well, the social commentary, the Nigerian culture woven in, and the romances which were sweet.

I'd recommend this to a younger YA audience primarily, I think they'd enjoy it most of all.

3.5

[Racquel Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ya contemporary is alive and well with upcoming releases like these

[Hannah B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sure it takes place around Valentine’s Day but it was perfect for autumn. I just want to wear oversized cable knit sweaters, drink tea that I maybe don’t even like, and solve mysteries in an English boarding school. The vibes in this book were immaculate and the mystery had me guessing until the end. It def had a Mean Girls feel—which I loved—and it felt very cinematic. The narrators were impeccable and soothed me even when crazy, angering things were happening.

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

- Really loved how there were so many characters in this book! I really had no idea who the culprit would be and the author did a great job of making you guess!! I love how the pov went between two characters too. I really connected with both of them.
- It was so fun to see a subplot of romance throughout this story. Would have loved to see the author dive into that a tad bit more. Would have loved to see a little more dialogue as well.
- This would make such a great movie! I could really feel the intensity throughout and I was so nervous while they were all sneaking around! Really loved this one.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone's Thinking It is a beautifully written story, perfectly attuned to young adults, focusing on the lives of differing personalities navigating life at a prestigious British school. The problems they face are familiar to everyone who survived that age and reminds me to be gentle with the younger generations - things have not gotten easier. Highly recommended reading.

My thanks to the author, Aleema Omotoni, and the publisher, Harper Collins, for my copy of this wonderful book. #Goodreads Giveaway

[milliereadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Scholastic UK for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Ooh this was so intriguing! I loved how this book examines topics such as blackface, blackfishing, and biphobia; it felt very reminiscent of Ace of Spades, in the setting of a boarding school and with a mystery at its heart. It was very entertaining, with classic evil teenagers who you just despise and an investigation that keeps you guessing, although I did find that it wasn’t exactly shocking when its revealed who is behind releasing the Polaroids.

The beginning was a little slow and I struggled to feel captivated by the book until it got to when the photos were released, at which point I couldn’t stop reading and finished the rest in one sitting. I also found it a bit difficult to distinguish between Iyanu and Kitan’s perspectives, at times they read very similarly. But overall I think this is a fantastic debut novel, one in which a lot of people will feel seen, and I’m excited to see what’s come from this author.

[Kaity ✿]

from Publisher's Weekly:

A loose reimagining of A Midsummer Night's Dream if Shakespeare grew up watching Mean Girls and Dear White People. At an elite boarding school in the English countryside, Nigerian cousins Iyanu and Kitan are thrown into the middle of a schoolwide conspiracy when everyone's juicy relationship secrets are released, Burn Book style, the week before the annual Valentine's Day Ball.

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[julia ☆ [owls reads] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone's Thinking It ended up being such an engrossing and entertaining read! The beginning was a bit rough for me as it took me a while during the first few chapters to really connect to Iyanu and Kitan's voices. The chapters felt a bit too much like they were focusing on the wrong things instead of setting up the story--the pace was too slow and it took about 25-30% for something to happen.

But when it did, oh my god! Aleema Omotoni did a fantastic job with introducing the main conflict and writing so much tension around it. It kept me engaged right through the very end as I wanted to know who was behind everything and it was also such a driving force behind the other subplots in the book. Everything was connected and each reveal gave space for something else to be brought up and I loved the balance of backstory vs present time shenanigans.

The way race and sexuality was addressed here was also lovely, even as it dealt head on with topics of racism and biphobia. No conversation or scenes about it were wasted and the way harmful behaviors were always challenged within the narrative was great. I also really enjoyed the approach towards mental health and how those conversation happened.

In general, an amazing read!

[Anniek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great for Gossip Girl vibes in a book that deals with themes like racism (and particularly blackfishing/blackface) and sexuality (and particularly biphobia) where the central focus is secrets getting out and causing trouble. I had some trouble getting into this at first, especially because of the large cast of characters, but I ended up really enjoying it. This is the author's debut, and I will definitely keep an eye out for anything she writes next.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mean Girls meets Dear White People meets Ace of Spades in this standout debut from Aleema Omotoni.

At the core of Everyone's Thinking It, is a compelling mystery that propelled the plot forward with intrigue and drama but what I think truly makes this debut shine is its examination of topics such as blackface and blackfishing, biphobia, systemic racism and both the courage and risk that comes with discussing and calling out these injustices when you're Black.

Everyone's Thinking It expertly balances multiple elements of storytelling; it's got romance, mystery, family and friendship dramas, academic pressures, LGBTQIA+ and mental illness representation and more and yet at no point does any element seem to be unnecessary or monopolising the story. The same goes for the characters. Both Kitan and Iyanu's perspectives are equal in their time and intrigue and both have their own stories that, whilst brilliantly intertwined, give both girls a distinct and strong voice. The side characters were equally endearing (or awful but in a good way) and memorable.

All in all, Everyone's Thinking It is a truly compulsive read and one I found myself unable to look away from. Aleema writes in a way that left me almost feeling as though I'd watched this book as a TV show or movie. Her writing is immersive, visual, exciting and so incredibly readable and I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next.

TW: racism, biphobia, blackface, blackfishing, panic attacks

[Ebony Essence · Rating 3 out of 5]

“When the person you want to comfort you the most, it’s the reason you’re in need of comforting”

Listened to the audio while following along in the book.

Overall i really enjoyed this book. There is a mystery that needs to be solved with the polaroids. However, to me the book is not so much the “mystery” but so much more about being black at a pwi. How the cousins see themselves and also the kids/friends they interact with. Their day to day feelings with school, micro aggressions, family and more.

I buddy read this and we felt it also gave coming of age. For me especially with one of the fmc Kitan. There is a lot to unpack with her story when coming to this school and friend group she’s in. Very pleased to see her grow. Her and Iyanu’s conversation was one of favorite moments. As well as the moment that Iyanu had with her little sister. Black girls black women your Crown is beautiful and so are you.

Now if i was basing this of “mystery” alone it’s very much lite work for people. Especially for those of us that love mystery/thrillers but good for people that want to ease a step into this genre. Now if i was going off it being a mystery alone i would probably have given it a 2.5 - 3. Now with the twist at who actually done it I truly did not see coming.

[Nara ✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮ · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf @pg 78. this was so hard to get into and it would’ve put me back in my slump

[Mariana ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. That was disappointing. 😕

The premise of this book is really intriguing. 2 cousins go to a fancy school and one day a bunch of secrets about some of the most popular students come out, and everyone blames one of the cousins, so she has to find out who exposed those secrets so she can clear her name. That sounds so cool!

Unfortunately, though, the execution was really off. First of all, it took 50 pages for anything interesting to finally happen, which made the start of this book quite boring. But I was like “You know what? That might’ve been a slow start but NOW things are FINALLY going to get interesting!”. And uh….. Yeah. That didn’t happen. 🫥

For starters, most of the secrets were quite boring. Sure, some were scandalous (like “this person cheated” and whatnot). But there was literally a secret that was “You don’t have what it takes and everyone knows it.”????? And another one implying that a guy was faking being gay for attention… as if anyone would ever want *hate crime* type of attention 🥴 (this one ended up being about something else, but we only find out at the very end). Idk man… I just thought these secrets were going to be super dramatic and scandalous, but they were boring. Didn’t gag me at all.

Then everyone blames Iyanu because the secrets were written on the pictures she’d taken, which is just completely absurd. It makes no sense to me that people would think it’s Iyanu. Why would she use HER OWN photos? That would obviously incriminate her! Also, how could she even know all of those secrets when she didn’t even talk to those people? It’s clear from the start that Iyanu’s photos were just stolen and used for this little exposé. And yet nobody managed to put 2 and 2 together and realize she didn’t do it? 🤨🙄

Anyways. Iyanu starts investigating so she can clear her name (and also so she can find another thing the real culprit stole from her). I thought we’d get a lot of sleuthing, eavesdropping, bluffing and spying in this section of the book, but we barely got anything. There were only like 4 or 5 (short) investigative moments, spread through hundreds of pages, which made a lot of this book feel like filler. Additionally, Iyanu started counting out and teaming up with a bunch of people, so by the halfway point there were only like 3 possible suspects, so even when we got the reveal I wasn’t gagged, because like… there were no other options? Also, it was very obvious from the beginning who the “bad guy” was going to be (I literally wrote in my notes this person was a “very obvious villain” ON PAGE 6!!! 💀💀💀). I didn’t fully guess their plan, so that was a bit interesting to learn in the end, but still. If the obvious villain from basically page 1 ends up being the ACTUAL villain, that makes the mystery quite underwhelming. 😕

So, overall, the mystery in this mystery book was very boring to me: the setup wasn’t that dramatic, the investigation was extremely slow-paced and lackluster (it could’ve all been done in 50 pages max, but instead it was spread through hundreds), and the villain was obvious from the beginning.

Now, you might’ve noticed that I have yet to mention the other MC, Kitan. Well, that’s because she’s irrelevant. Don’t get me wrong: she’s a sweet girl! It’s just that she had no reason to be taking up half of this story. The 1st time I was interested in her POV was at 46% (she found a lost object, and I thought something exciting was finally gonna come from Kitan’s POV! I was wrong. 🫥 This only came back up again at the very end, and wasn’t that thrilling anyways). Her POVs only existed to give the readers a glimpse of other characters, particularly the popular (racist) girl. I genuinely can’t think of any other reason for Kitan’s POVs to even exist; she doesn’t talk to Iyanu until the very end, she only joins the investigation at the very end, too… Kitan was a very passive character and her POVs had no purpose, and unfortunately slowed down an already slow-paced story.

Another boring thing about this book was the romance. Both couples already had feelings for each other at the start of the book, so all we really see is them rekindling their relationships and finally getting together. Don’t get me wrong: I’ve seen this done successfully before (some of my favourite ships of all time had their friendship, and sometimes even romance, developed BEFORE the book begins)!!! It’s just that, unfortunately, this author never managed to make me LOVE these couples. They were alright! They had sweet moments and clearly respected each other. And I LOVED that the LIs weren’t toxic or mean. They were both sweet and kind, and clearly cared about and respected the MCs! These romances had a lot of miscommunication and misunderstandings, which made them a *bit* annoying, but the LIs still ended up openly talking about their feelings and apologizing for their wrongdoings, which I REALLY appreciate. 👏👏👏 But just because the characters were nice, it doesn’t mean the romance moved me. It didn’t. At all. I just didn’t care about the romantic plotlines 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I said a lot of negative things, but I want to make it clear that I didn’t HATE the book! I just found it profoundly boring and overall very forgettable. But there were still things I really enjoyed:
➤ I really liked both MCs! (Even though I found Kitan’s POVs unnecessary, I liked her as a character!!!). They were both well rounded, very human, and extremely nice. They’re the kind of people you’d want to be best friends with!
➤ Heather was too villainous at times (particularly when it came to her ~evil plan~ lol), but I found her blackfishing unfortunately VERY realistic. I mean, I can think of at least 5 famous influencers that blackfish A LOT 🥴🥴🥴. Her forging documents to fully pretend she was black was the icing on top, though. 💀
➤ I really appreciated the conversations about racism (both overt, but also the microaggressions included in the story). And I REALLY loved that the characters called the racism out! 👏 I also liked the discussions about biphobia and coming out in general. 👌
➤ As I already mentioned, I really liked that the LIs were actually nice! I’m soooo sick and tired of mean, angry and broody men in books, who are lowkey rude to the girls they’re gonna end up with. So I always LOVE seeing LIs who are unapologetically kind, actually apologize for their mistakes, validate others’ feelings and express their own. 👌

[Lit_Vibrations · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just by looking at the cover I thought this was going to be a historical fiction novel. But turns out it’s a YA novel filled with rumors, secrets that will puncture your reputation, blatant racism, fake friends, a little romance, and a dash of mystery. It was the perfect combination for a world-wind of drama and choas while also posing the question “How much are you willing to give at the cost of fitting in?”

It all starts when photos taken by Iyanu are stolen and sent out to everyone around school with juicy messages on the back. Some secrets revealed were true and the others were lies. Either way the whole school thinks Iyanu is behind it making her even more of an outcast than she was before. To make matters worse her cousin Kitan isn’t on her side and believes she did it too. While everyone is so desperate to uncover the truth behind the stolen photos they don’t realize exposing the truth might change their friendships forever.

This book will definitely give off a Mean Girls vibe cause Kitan’s bestfriend Heather was definitely Regina George and the things she did were completely unacceptable. Let’s just say she let finding out she had 0.0007% of black in her blood go straight to her head.😂 Then we have Sarah who was never a true friend to Kitan to begin with IYKYK‼️ The beginning was also a slow-burn but once the pace picks up you’re sucked in by all the drama.

The character development was complex and perfectly executed. Iyanu was one of my favorite characters because she stood on business PERIODT. I was waiting for her to check Heather. The creativity and vividness in the authors writing made it easy to put a face with all the characters. I did enjoy the dual POVs we were given from both Iyanu and Kitan. It allowed us a glimpse into the different lives they both live during school and with their families.

Overall, I enjoyed the book with all the twists and turns. The mystery behind who leaked the photos did drag a bit. But once the truth was revealed and the reasoning I was like girl you could’ve took that L instead of messing up people reputations to save your own. Special thanks to the author & @balzerandbray for my gifted copy‼️

[steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

It tackled the topics at hand quite well, even though the plot gave me massive Ace of Spades vibes if I'm being honest. The thing is I didn't care for the pacing or the characters, which is a shame since I wanted to like this book after hearing about the premise

[Daphne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The vibes and atmosphere of this book were great, I also really liked the characters and overall message. I just feel like the pacing wasn't the greatest. I had a lot of trouble getting through the last part because it just seemed to drag on a bit. Overall, I did enjoy this book. It was a solid 3.5 stars and a perfect read for the fall.

[literary_porcupine · Rating 5 out of 5]

NIGERIAN MCS!!! IM!! LITERALLY!! SCREAMING!! GIVE THIS BOOK TO ME!!@@@@

[Donna]

The cover is so beautiful **cries in happy Black girl tears**

[Oyinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was good!

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a WHILE since I enjoyed a non-comic book this much. As all the summaries say, this is Gossip Girl/Mean Girls crossed with Dear White People. Dark academia mixed with a serious conscience. A lot of pretty scenery and clothing descriptions AND an opportunity to really dig into Blackfishing and why it's bad (among other things). I got the men mixed up early on, but that's pretty typical for me.

It was smart of Omotoni to tell this story from two perspectives. Two cousins, each with totally different ways of confronting the fact that they're two of the only Black folx who go to fancy Wodebury Hall. I appreciated that parts of the story happen off campus, and that we got a chance to see some of the cousins Nigerian cultural roots.

Oh, I should mention the hook: One Monday morning, students arrive on campus to find that some one has left photographs of everyone lying around. And on the back of each photo is a secret about the person in the photo. Finding out who did it and why pushes estranged cousins Iyanu and Kitan into a shared mission.

Fluffy, smart, engrossing. It feels like a high school book, but doesn't have anything I wouldn't give to a middle schooler.

All that said, this book absolutely suffers the plight of forgettable title.

[DOMINIQUE Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story follows aspiring photographer Iyanu and her estranged cousin Kitan. When photos are stolen from Iyanu camera and spread about the school with people’s secrets written on them and it has the whole school in an uproar. I enjoyed that this who dunnit plot didn’t involve murder but instead little things that happened in high school. cliques, racism, colorism and bullying are among the issues visited in the book. I loved how the story ended and this author’s writing style is top tier. I was engaged throughout the whole story and this is one I have to own a physical copy of.

Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books, Balzer + Bray and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Ava Ajax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone's Thinking It by Aleema Omotoni explores racism, identity, and the sacrifices they engender. Its thought-provoking themes and well-drawn characters, particularly the inspiring protagonist Iyanu, will resonate with readers looking for a deeper understanding of the complexities of community and individuality. However, the pacing, some plot elements, and its investigative aspects may leave some readers wanting more.

The story follows the journey of two black cousins, Iyanu and Kitan, as they navigate the challenges of Wodebury Hall, an exclusive, predominantly white British boarding school.

Iyanu's life takes an unexpected turn when she is chosen to photograph a significant school event. However, her photos and negatives mysteriously vanish, only to resurface scandalously, causing turmoil among the school's social elite. Everyone thinks Iyanu did it, landing her in a precarious position. In response, she embarks on a quest to uncover the source of the leak, not only seeking justice but also striving to reclaim her identity in a world where she feels like an outsider.

The novel explores the intricate dynamics of racism and class, offering a modern perspective through young adults. It prompts us to examine the sacrifices some of us make to conform to societal norms. Another central focus in the narrative lies in the significance of community, personified through the bond between the two cousins. It highlights that genuine community is rooted in mutual understanding, deep connections, and shared experiences, extending far beyond being a mere refuge from loneliness.

Iyanu's journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to speaking her truth during adversity. Her resilience and unyielding spirit make her a compelling and inspiring character. In contrast, Kitan represents the archetype of a popular and polished girl, a believable counterpart to Iyanu. However, it is the inclusion of Kitan's perspective that adds depth and diversity to the narrative, allowing us to explore the complexities of identity and belonging from different angles.

What truly stands out is the evolving dynamic between the two cousins. As the story unfolds, the cousins understand the basis of their differing perspectives and learn to empathize with each other.

A few aspects of the novel impact the overall entertainment value. It begins at a somewhat slow pace, lacking the immediate sense of suspicion or urgency. Some plot points also raise questions about character actions. For instance, it seems naive on the characters' behalf to assume that Iyanu would use the photos to spread rumors, given her close connection to them. Additionally, the novel hints at the promise of investigation. But it may fall short of fulfilling this premise to its fullest extent. A more thorough exploration of investigative elements would have added depth and intrigue to the story, especially for readers who enjoy a detective-driven narrative.

Ava's Lit Life at Substack | Twitter/X | Instagram

[Aeriell · Rating 4 out of 5]

will start by saying this is. I definitely see why in the blurb it suggests Mean Girls meets Dear White People.

Everyone’s Thinking It is about two black girls, cousins Iyanu and Kitan and their chosen path at an all white boarding school. Kitan is in with the popular crew while her cousin, Iyanu, is forced on the outside. After the matchmaking event everybody is put on blast as photos from the event are leaked with a personal attack on the back and Iyanu is the prime suspect. Everyone’s Thinking It takes us on a week long journey of finding out who the real culprit behind the leaked photos and messages.

What I liked about this book was the plot and how the author discusses several meaningful topics such a racism, sexism, white privilege, black face, and biphobia (to name a few). Figuring out who leaked the pictures really kept me going. I had one person in mind the whole time, but I was completely thrown by the end results. What I also liked about this book was the character, Iyanu. I really felt for her the most because she didn’t deserve how her cousin did her. I also liked Iyanu because she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind when it counted and was definitely rooting for everything to work out for her in the end.

While I do think this was a great story that was well executed, it was very slow to grab my attention until literally the point with the photos. I didn’t exactly enjoy the ending but it pretty much aligned with the white privilege theme of this specific characters.

I would definitely recommend this book. I look forward to more from Aleema Omotoni.


Thank you Aleema Omotoni, Balzer + Bray and NetGalley for providing this complimentary eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[K]

Not rating this but if I did it would have a 2. The cover and premise are totally my style but the execution was lacking. There wasn’t really much of a mystery/investigation element happening and many of the things that drove the plot happened off page before the book even began. I also wasn’t expecting this book to be so men-centric. Too many guys, too many guys to keep up with, not much interaction between the cousins on the cover. Really disappointed because again, this is totally my jam. However if you want to read something with fall vibes and aren’t really driven by plot maybe I would pick up. Thank you to NetGalley

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

All in all this was a fun story (it's set in a fancy private boarding school so of course it was)! I was however a little let down by the mystery, it was not only super predictable but also didn't actually cause any serious consequences. I was really hoping for some more sinister secrets and a lot more time spent investigating. I know that this is YA, but I feel like that doesn't have to mean there can't be any real stakes. Or maybe I'm just getting old and should simply stop reading YA instead of complaining about these books being too juvenile, but who knows?