What do you think?
Rate this book
Friends Don't Tell
Two best friends. A weekend to remember. Only one of them makes it home alive. A page-turning thriller for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and Good Girls Die First.
One year ago, Jade died at a music festival. Her body was found floating in a lake but everyone wrote it off as a tragic accident – with no evidence of murder.
Ever since, her best friend Lexi has been trying to piece her life back together, but she just can't get over that weekend. She's certain that somebody purposefully hurt Jade, she just has to work out who it was. Maybe it was one of the friends they made at the tent pitched next to theirs...
One year ago, Jade died at a music festival. Her body was found floating in a lake but everyone wrote it off as a tragic accident – with no evidence of murder.
Ever since, her best friend Lexi has been trying to piece her life back together, but she just can't get over that weekend. She's certain that somebody purposefully hurt Jade, she just has to work out who it was. Maybe it was one of the friends they made at the tent pitched next to theirs...
320 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2022
4 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Nadz
1 book6 followersFor author profile, visit Nadia Mendoza:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 5, 2023
Two days later and I'm still thinking about this book.
So I picked it up because it read like a thriller, there were festivals involved, a death, suspects... And sure it has all those things, but what I loved most about the story is how deeply I felt the mourning of Lexi and her love for Jade.
Suddenly, I was more interested in her recovery, and reading Jade's parts became painful because I was witnessing her downfall. At the end I was crying because I thought "what would I do if one my Jades died like her? I love them so much". I don't think this makes sense and maybe you have to be in a certain head space to feel it, but yeah.
The writing shocked me at first and I had to get used to it. Lexi and Jade are teens and so talk (narrate) like Brit teens. Which I think it's brilliant. I could'd've used a little less exclamation points in the narrative part but I guess it added more personality to the characters, so there's that.
Which leads me to another point: the characters. I know next to nothing about the two mental problems that are pictured in the book, so for me to say it's good or bad rep it wouldn't be fair. I just know that Lexi's super well explained through the timeline of events (and I felt SO SO sorry for her and her traumas), and Jade's also makes sense. Knowing what would happen to her (because it's explained by her at some point) didn't make it less hurtful.
So: mental health representation. Bipolar and OCD. Judge yourselves.
I can't not talk about the side characters. Loved that the authors kept everyone true to their age. Young people that blame each other and themselves for not doing enough when not even an adult would've know what to do.
If I have to pick something up is that I didn't quite like Sam's plot twist. But it's just a minor thing so, go and read this book.
If you're looking for a thrilling thriller, maybe the mystery won't be enough. If you like to read about real and pure friendships and mourning and wanting a closure... Highly recommended.
So I picked it up because it read like a thriller, there were festivals involved, a death, suspects... And sure it has all those things, but what I loved most about the story is how deeply I felt the mourning of Lexi and her love for Jade.
Suddenly, I was more interested in her recovery, and reading Jade's parts became painful because I was witnessing her downfall. At the end I was crying because I thought "what would I do if one my Jades died like her? I love them so much". I don't think this makes sense and maybe you have to be in a certain head space to feel it, but yeah.
The writing shocked me at first and I had to get used to it. Lexi and Jade are teens and so talk (narrate) like Brit teens. Which I think it's brilliant. I could'd've used a little less exclamation points in the narrative part but I guess it added more personality to the characters, so there's that.
Which leads me to another point: the characters. I know next to nothing about the two mental problems that are pictured in the book, so for me to say it's good or bad rep it wouldn't be fair. I just know that Lexi's super well explained through the timeline of events (and I felt SO SO sorry for her and her traumas), and Jade's also makes sense. Knowing what would happen to her (because it's explained by her at some point) didn't make it less hurtful.
So: mental health representation. Bipolar and OCD. Judge yourselves.
I can't not talk about the side characters. Loved that the authors kept everyone true to their age. Young people that blame each other and themselves for not doing enough when not even an adult would've know what to do.
If I have to pick something up is that I didn't quite like Sam's plot twist. But it's just a minor thing so, go and read this book.
If you're looking for a thrilling thriller, maybe the mystery won't be enough. If you like to read about real and pure friendships and mourning and wanting a closure... Highly recommended.
September 11, 2022
Thank you to BKMRK for sending me a finished copy of this YA thriller.
Written in two alternating POVs and timelines, Friends Don’t Tell follows the story of Jade and Lexi, two best friends who attend a music festival expecting to have the time of their lives. Only, one of them loses their life. Jade’s chapters depict the events leading up to her death, while Lexi’s chapters are set 1 year after and show the impact on her mental health, as well as her actions to uncover the truth of what really happened to Jade after she begins to suspect foul play.
Having the two dual POVs set in different timeframes was so smart! It made for both POVs being equally engaging as Lexi uncovers more and more in the present and you begin seeing that reflected one year ago in Jade’s timeline. The tension was created especially well thanks to this, as you just had to keep on reading to see if the suspects’ stories were corroborated in Jade’s POV. The writing style was easy to get into, and perfectly reflected how teenagers speak now, making the characters seem very realistic. While this may throw some people off if they do not know some slang/expressions, it worked well given the target audience. The authors successfully created a melancholic undertone throughout the book, which only worked to enhance the emotion in both POVs.
“Please don’t ever take normal for granted. You’ll miss it when it’s gone.”
I loved both main characters! Jade was just so sweet! The small romantic plotline in Jade’s POV was nicely done despite being a bit quick. I liked how we could clearly see that Jade needed to speak to someone other than Lexi about certain events, and the love interest provided that outlet for her.
Lexi was a great character! You can clearly see just how much she cared about Jade, despite being perhaps a bit self-centred in Jade’s chapters. Lexi’s OCD was also fantastically done, with her compulsions (and the reasons behind them) and thoughts being well described and presenting a realistic look into her brain.
Overall, I really liked this one! An emotional portrayal of mental health in young people, as well as a story about friendship and recovery set against a murder mystery backdrop, this quick read packs a punch!
Written in two alternating POVs and timelines, Friends Don’t Tell follows the story of Jade and Lexi, two best friends who attend a music festival expecting to have the time of their lives. Only, one of them loses their life. Jade’s chapters depict the events leading up to her death, while Lexi’s chapters are set 1 year after and show the impact on her mental health, as well as her actions to uncover the truth of what really happened to Jade after she begins to suspect foul play.
Having the two dual POVs set in different timeframes was so smart! It made for both POVs being equally engaging as Lexi uncovers more and more in the present and you begin seeing that reflected one year ago in Jade’s timeline. The tension was created especially well thanks to this, as you just had to keep on reading to see if the suspects’ stories were corroborated in Jade’s POV. The writing style was easy to get into, and perfectly reflected how teenagers speak now, making the characters seem very realistic. While this may throw some people off if they do not know some slang/expressions, it worked well given the target audience. The authors successfully created a melancholic undertone throughout the book, which only worked to enhance the emotion in both POVs.
“Please don’t ever take normal for granted. You’ll miss it when it’s gone.”
I loved both main characters! Jade was just so sweet! The small romantic plotline in Jade’s POV was nicely done despite being a bit quick. I liked how we could clearly see that Jade needed to speak to someone other than Lexi about certain events, and the love interest provided that outlet for her.
Lexi was a great character! You can clearly see just how much she cared about Jade, despite being perhaps a bit self-centred in Jade’s chapters. Lexi’s OCD was also fantastically done, with her compulsions (and the reasons behind them) and thoughts being well described and presenting a realistic look into her brain.
Overall, I really liked this one! An emotional portrayal of mental health in young people, as well as a story about friendship and recovery set against a murder mystery backdrop, this quick read packs a punch!
February 24, 2023
Trigger warnings: death of a friend, OCD, mental health, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, death of a child (in the past), drowning, hallucination-induced suicide
I...legitimately do not know how to feel about this book. On the one hand, I liked the festival aspect as a way of teenage girls letting go of all their inhibitions and just being their true selves. And the past/present split narration did work well.
But at the same time, despite the fact that in Lexi's side of the story we KNOW from the beginning that Jade is dead, Jade's story somehow felt very...low stakes? IDK. I also struggled to tell the difference between their voices at times.
That being said, the mental health side of things was mostly well handled, although I did have a few moments of "Uhhhhh not sure Lexi's therapist should be telling her that her OCD is no big deal because it's just a manifestation of her grief??", and I liked the discussion of biracial teens not knowing how to deal with their own hair (among other things) because they've been raised in a predominantly white environment. So. Yeah. A mixed bag and I definitely expected more of a thriller than I ultimately got.
I...legitimately do not know how to feel about this book. On the one hand, I liked the festival aspect as a way of teenage girls letting go of all their inhibitions and just being their true selves. And the past/present split narration did work well.
But at the same time, despite the fact that in Lexi's side of the story we KNOW from the beginning that Jade is dead, Jade's story somehow felt very...low stakes? IDK. I also struggled to tell the difference between their voices at times.
That being said, the mental health side of things was mostly well handled, although I did have a few moments of "Uhhhhh not sure Lexi's therapist should be telling her that her OCD is no big deal because it's just a manifestation of her grief??", and I liked the discussion of biracial teens not knowing how to deal with their own hair (among other things) because they've been raised in a predominantly white environment. So. Yeah. A mixed bag and I definitely expected more of a thriller than I ultimately got.
January 8, 2023
a really well written book. the plot was really thought through and i thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
September 20, 2022
I read this book with 3 of my friends for an English assignment. We found the book appealing and very easy to read. Friends Don't Tell touches on subjects that are considered taboos in our society. Mental health, grief, friendship, and finding oneself are central themes. We recommend this book to young adults and preteens.
March 30, 2023
The plot was interesting but I felt like it had more potential in the way it could have been written. Lexi's OCD was portrayed well but I felt there could have been a deeper impact of Emily for Jade and even Lexi too? Personally a slow but good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2023
This was a really impressive debut novel! I really loved the dual perspective element, it was really well executed pacing wise too. Both Lexi and Jade were super likeable and relatable. As someone who has never been to a music festival, I got to see the side of teenagehood I didn't experience which was awesome! Overall 4.5/5 stars!
April 28, 2023
Really enjoyed this book. Loved the dual narrative. Gripping plot and well developed characters. Realistic and relatable depiction of mental health and grief. I highly recommend!!!
December 23, 2022
A cracking dual pov, dual timeline YA thriller. Unusual and highly enjoyable.
May 30, 2023
"Lexi, you're not crazy. You're grieving"
This book focuses mainly on friendship, loss, and mental health, and the above quote really hits home to me. Roughly 10 years ago, I went through a bad period in time, including breaking up with my then partner of nearly 8 years. I'm a creature of habit kinda gal; I like routine, to know what's going on, I like plans and sticking to them. So when my world came tumbling down, it was no surprise that my mental health took a hit too. My mental health had never been great, but this just pushed me over the edge, and I spoke to a mental health nurse, and the main thing she said to me, which has stuck with me all these years, is that I'm going through a bereavement, so when I read that Lexi isn't crazy, she's grieving, I felt it in my chest.
🕶
Anyone who's been around, knows I love a good YA book, and this just spoke to me when I saw it on waterstones, though admittedly, the mental health part slightly put me off, as sometimes, especially I'm YA books, it's over dramatised, and makes mental health to be the elephant in the room. Not with this book, it was written so fluidly, it was natural and normal. I've never read words that resonated so well, and never knew until I read them.
🕶
I absolutely adored this book, and I'm gutted it took me so long to get through it, but it was worth it.
If it sounds like your cup of tea, please pick it up, I doubt you'd be disappointed. My only negative, is I wish I'd read something this empowering when I was a teenager.
🕶
This book focuses mainly on friendship, loss, and mental health, and the above quote really hits home to me. Roughly 10 years ago, I went through a bad period in time, including breaking up with my then partner of nearly 8 years. I'm a creature of habit kinda gal; I like routine, to know what's going on, I like plans and sticking to them. So when my world came tumbling down, it was no surprise that my mental health took a hit too. My mental health had never been great, but this just pushed me over the edge, and I spoke to a mental health nurse, and the main thing she said to me, which has stuck with me all these years, is that I'm going through a bereavement, so when I read that Lexi isn't crazy, she's grieving, I felt it in my chest.
🕶
Anyone who's been around, knows I love a good YA book, and this just spoke to me when I saw it on waterstones, though admittedly, the mental health part slightly put me off, as sometimes, especially I'm YA books, it's over dramatised, and makes mental health to be the elephant in the room. Not with this book, it was written so fluidly, it was natural and normal. I've never read words that resonated so well, and never knew until I read them.
🕶
I absolutely adored this book, and I'm gutted it took me so long to get through it, but it was worth it.
If it sounds like your cup of tea, please pick it up, I doubt you'd be disappointed. My only negative, is I wish I'd read something this empowering when I was a teenager.
🕶
August 1, 2022
TW: death, grief, mental health, suicidal ideation, death of a child, trauma
Friends Don’t Tell is a searingly honest depiction of friendship, grief and mental health that is a welcome and nuanced addition to the YA shelves.
It would be impossible to write this review without delving into the topic of mental health. This is an authentic, deeply raw and vulnerable examination of mental health. I loved the OCD representation and how it completely deconstructs the stereotypes surrounding the disorder. The media stereotype of an overly clean figure disguises the overwhelming and destructure nature of rituals and the perceived consequences of not fulfilling these rituals. In October 2019, the Royal College of Psychiatrists found that ‘about 1 in every 50 people suffer from OCD at some point in their lives, men and women equally. This adds up to over one million people in the UK’. This shows how important authentic and well-researched representation, such as that in this book, truly is.
Lexi and Jade are such fantastic protagonists and it was a delight to follow their viewpoints. I loved how realistic they felt, like they could really be teenagers in my local town. Their dialogue was spot-on and felt refreshingly authentic. However, they are struggling and I loved how their issues were treated with respect and importance. Their friendship was the beating heart of this book. You could feel their sheer joy and settled comfortability with one another, but also the growing pains as they grew up. This causes fractures between them and within themselves, as their past trauma hangs heavy on their shoulders.
On top of this, you have an utterly engaging and twisty mystery of what really happened to Jade. This was a very captivating storyline that kept me glued to the pages. Nadz and Grace have plenty of surprises in store, which really raise the stakes and add new emotional layers to the story.
Friends Don’t Tell captures the youthful buzz of a festival, highlighting the highs and lows of modern day teenage experience. In particular, it is a genuine examination of mental health that shouts to be addressed.
Friends Don’t Tell is a searingly honest depiction of friendship, grief and mental health that is a welcome and nuanced addition to the YA shelves.
It would be impossible to write this review without delving into the topic of mental health. This is an authentic, deeply raw and vulnerable examination of mental health. I loved the OCD representation and how it completely deconstructs the stereotypes surrounding the disorder. The media stereotype of an overly clean figure disguises the overwhelming and destructure nature of rituals and the perceived consequences of not fulfilling these rituals. In October 2019, the Royal College of Psychiatrists found that ‘about 1 in every 50 people suffer from OCD at some point in their lives, men and women equally. This adds up to over one million people in the UK’. This shows how important authentic and well-researched representation, such as that in this book, truly is.
Lexi and Jade are such fantastic protagonists and it was a delight to follow their viewpoints. I loved how realistic they felt, like they could really be teenagers in my local town. Their dialogue was spot-on and felt refreshingly authentic. However, they are struggling and I loved how their issues were treated with respect and importance. Their friendship was the beating heart of this book. You could feel their sheer joy and settled comfortability with one another, but also the growing pains as they grew up. This causes fractures between them and within themselves, as their past trauma hangs heavy on their shoulders.
On top of this, you have an utterly engaging and twisty mystery of what really happened to Jade. This was a very captivating storyline that kept me glued to the pages. Nadz and Grace have plenty of surprises in store, which really raise the stakes and add new emotional layers to the story.
Friends Don’t Tell captures the youthful buzz of a festival, highlighting the highs and lows of modern day teenage experience. In particular, it is a genuine examination of mental health that shouts to be addressed.
September 13, 2022
Two best friends who need each other have now been separated by death. Steeped in mystery, Lexi has no closure as to what happened to Jade and undertakes a frightening journey to find out.
Told in dual POV with two time lines. This was my favourite aspect.
To quote a line I thought, hauntingly real...'When I first got back from the festival, I was like a zombie. Dead on the inside, alive on the outside. This is exactly how I imagine anyone would feel in this situation!
I've thought about this book a lot after reading it. Well written, with characters who get inside your head.
An emotion stirring cauldron of feelings unraveled as reading--fear; panic; worry; anxiety; helplessness; regret. That's to name but a few. It was an insightful read, especially with the mental health representation which is vital in today's world.
Accidents can happen, lives can be lost but the ones left living, play out the consequences of regret. Sometimes there isn't anything to find out, there is simply, needing to cope a little until hope appears on the horizon. This book captured that for me.
I would recommend this thought provoking read. Well done Nadz and Grace.
Told in dual POV with two time lines. This was my favourite aspect.
To quote a line I thought, hauntingly real...'When I first got back from the festival, I was like a zombie. Dead on the inside, alive on the outside. This is exactly how I imagine anyone would feel in this situation!
I've thought about this book a lot after reading it. Well written, with characters who get inside your head.
An emotion stirring cauldron of feelings unraveled as reading--fear; panic; worry; anxiety; helplessness; regret. That's to name but a few. It was an insightful read, especially with the mental health representation which is vital in today's world.
Accidents can happen, lives can be lost but the ones left living, play out the consequences of regret. Sometimes there isn't anything to find out, there is simply, needing to cope a little until hope appears on the horizon. This book captured that for me.
I would recommend this thought provoking read. Well done Nadz and Grace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2022
This book is a wild ride! We really went on a journey with Lexi working through grief. A lot of important conversations were had surrounding this. Great mental health representation woven throughout the story that I think people can relate to.
The time jumping between chapters worked really well for this story. As the mystery unfolds it’s really helpful knowing what happened in the past and how it’s affecting everyone present day. I expected more of a twist or mystery/thriller element, but at the end I think the message is more focused on friendship and how to handle grief which was powerful.
The time jumping between chapters worked really well for this story. As the mystery unfolds it’s really helpful knowing what happened in the past and how it’s affecting everyone present day. I expected more of a twist or mystery/thriller element, but at the end I think the message is more focused on friendship and how to handle grief which was powerful.
November 2, 2022
Why have more people not read this? I loved the dual POV, with the then & now timelines too. I found the mental health rep for OCD to be brilliant
November 7, 2022
**3.5**
January 15, 2025
Trigger warnings for Friends Don't Tell include: death of a friend, OCD, bipolar disorder, mental health, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, death of a child, drowning and hallucination-induced suicide.
☆
☆
"I realise loneliness doesn't just happen at 3 a.m. It can happen at 3 p.m. or 6 p.m. or 9 p.m. in a festival full of people."
~
I simultaneously love and hate how relatable this quote is. I also think that maybe sometimes people don't realise that you can feel a sense of loneliness even when you're in a crowded room, or in the middle of a festival full of people. It can also hit you when you're alone too, but it isn't only then that people might feel it.
~
This book was a lot, I won't lie. But not in a bad way. There was just a lot of heavy content that I don't think is clearly warned about.
~
I liked this book, the way that the whole situation was discussed. I like the way it was laid out as a mystery that Lexi was trying to solve throughout, while also not remembering everything because of the substances and partying.
☆
☆
"I realise loneliness doesn't just happen at 3 a.m. It can happen at 3 p.m. or 6 p.m. or 9 p.m. in a festival full of people."
~
I simultaneously love and hate how relatable this quote is. I also think that maybe sometimes people don't realise that you can feel a sense of loneliness even when you're in a crowded room, or in the middle of a festival full of people. It can also hit you when you're alone too, but it isn't only then that people might feel it.
~
This book was a lot, I won't lie. But not in a bad way. There was just a lot of heavy content that I don't think is clearly warned about.
~
I liked this book, the way that the whole situation was discussed. I like the way it was laid out as a mystery that Lexi was trying to solve throughout, while also not remembering everything because of the substances and partying.
June 21, 2024
This is one of the few books i have enjoyed for both the characters and the plot. There is a perfect blend of plot development and well thought out characters that enabled me to read it in only a few days. It incorporates themes of mystery and mental health which makes it a great read for teenagers- like myself- and gives a very important insight into what it’s like to live with mental health disorders.
November 2, 2024
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this one, but I was pleasantly surprised! It touches on Mental Health and what grief can do to someone, it is dual POV and it's really interesting to read both storylines side by side!
September 4, 2022
I was gripped by this book but I found jades death to be underwhelming. I really enjoyed how the authors touched upon ‘taboo’ mental health subjects.
January 5, 2023
3.5 this book was interesting and easy to read the plot twist wasn’t really shocking but still a great book to read if you like friendship thriller 💐
March 7, 2023
I felt compelled to read to the end but it was sad and I had a lot of questions about the characters that I felt weren't answered in the book.
June 4, 2023
I liked the idea just didn't connect but the characters were well developed
June 16, 2023
i loved the unique setting, and the way it was written from two perspectives. what i didnt like is the way some of the dialogue was awkward and the ending left me wanting more
June 9, 2025
Could not put it down.
June 20, 2025
4.75☆ loved the build up, ending a bit anticlimactic but recently been seeing the vision to reread it
November 6, 2024
i loved it sooooooooooo much,i find it so perfect:need more books like this,the ending broke my heart jade thinking Emily was talking to her is so heartbreaking and everyone dismissing her off,leading to her drowning bc Emily told her to get in the lake...i almost started crying. the sam twist was shocking and the note from lex to Emily at the end just feels so bittersweet|i love the fact we learn what happed to jade through her chapters:lex finding her torn stuff,her pills and the fact they never fought got me scared,my fav book ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2024
I was really loving this book! I was attached to Jade and Lexi and their stories, Lexi dealing with her OCD ( which I find weird that her THERAPIST brushed it off as grief) and what happened Jade and Jade’s perspective of the past. It’s a really good plot and you can get extremely hooked like I was. BUT, I felt unsatisfied with the ending. I didn’t really like it but that’s my opinion!
January 20, 2024
Not like any book i have read before. I loved it when i read it.
March 21, 2023
This book was very predictable and rushed but the story line was pretty good, I liked the way every chapter was either the festival or how the other girl is doing after it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews