Books Like...

'13 Minutes' by Sarah Pinborough is a YA murder mystery that delves into the dark world of teenage social dynamics, betrayal, and revenge. The story follows Natasha, a teenage girl who is found in a river after being dead for 13 minutes, with no memory of the events leading up to her near-death experience. As the plot unfolds, readers are taken on a journey through the intricate web of relationships among Natasha, her former best friend Rebecca, and their social circle known as the Barbies. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers engaged as they unravel the mystery behind Natasha's incident.

The writing style of Sarah Pinborough in '13 Minutes' is described as gripping and suspenseful, with multiple points of view, text message conversations, and excerpts from journals adding layers to the storytelling. The characters are well-developed, portraying a mix of personalities typical of a sixth form in the UK, and the use of various media formats enhances the narrative, drawing readers into the complexities of teenage emotions and social pressures in the modern world.

SUMMER'S EDGE by Dana Mele is a chilling YA thriller horror read that follows Chelsea and her friends as they return to a lake house a year after their friend Emily's tragic death. As they uncover old betrayals and secrets, they have one night to unravel a mystery spanning three summers before a killer among them seeks revenge. The writing style transitions from a typical young adult thriller to something darker and more mysterious, with themes of friendship, loyalty, complicated relationships, and revenge woven throughout.

Seventeen-year-old Cassie, a natural at reading people, is recruited by the FBI to join a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to solve cold cases. The Naturals program consists of gifted teens with unusual skills working together to crack infamous cases, including a current serial killer on the loose. As Cassie delves deeper into the program, she realizes that danger looms closer than she ever imagined, with twists, suspense, and a lethal game of cat and mouse with the killer.

The book 'The Naturals' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes follows Cassie and her fellow Naturals as they navigate through profiling, mysteries, and chilling revelations. The plot intertwines elements of psychological thrillers, crime-solving, and teenage dynamics, offering a fast-paced narrative filled with engaging characters, intriguing cases, and a final twist that leaves readers hooked and eager to uncover more.

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas is a YA mystery that follows Monica, whose sister was part of a cheerleading squad that was disbanded five years ago after multiple deaths within the team. Monica finds her sister's cell phone and starts investigating the accidents, uncovering inconsistencies and secrets. The book alternates between past and present, revealing the dark events that led to the disbandment of the cheerleading team and Monica's relentless pursuit of the truth.

The Girls I've Been is a compelling YA thriller that follows Nora, a sharp and witty con artist, as she finds herself trapped in a bank robbery with her friends. The story unfolds through flashbacks to Nora's past, where she was groomed by her con artist mother to play a part in her cons. As the tension escalates in the bank, Nora's manipulation skills and past experiences come into play, leading to a gripping and fast-paced narrative that keeps readers on edge until the last page.

The book delves into Nora's complex relationships with her girlfriend Iris, her ex-boyfriend Wes, and her past as she navigates a life-threatening situation. Tess Sharpe's writing style is described as lyrical and angsty, with a quick tone and pace that perfectly captures the high-stakes events taking place in a matter of hours during the bank robbery.

Anna is wrongfully accused of her best friend's murder on their group vacation. With a ruthless prosecutor on Anna's tail, her life is ripped apart turning her image into a monster in the eyes of the media and the public. Even her friends don't believe her. So begins her fight for freedom in a foreign country. What looms around the corner, put me into shock. As mentioned in title. It's missing one star due to more information required on a certain topic that needed a bit more fuel but I have to get vague not to spoil it.

The whole book is a character study, not just of Anna, but of every other person she knows. Her boyfriend, Tate. Elise. The other friends in their circle. Her lawyers. Her father. The media. It's an intense look at how awful people can be. I've been calling it in many ways the Gone Girl for Young Adults, because that's what I think of when I read this. These aren't perfect characters they are realistic, and every one of them is hiding something. Every one of them has messed up and is being selfish and horrible to their fellow human beings.

'All Your Twisted Secrets' by Diana Urban follows the gripping story of six high school seniors trapped in a room with a deadly ultimatum - choose one to die or they all perish. Through dual timelines, the narrative unfolds the intricate past histories and secrets of each character, leading to surprising plot twists triggered by their hidden truths. Urban skillfully weaves modern themes of substance abuse, social media, and teen suicide into the storyline, creating a high school thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The author's writing style, characterized by vivid prose and a balanced mix of Hitchcockian thriller and light-hearted YA elements, captivates readers as they delve into the depths of teenage life with unexpected dark undertones. The characters, particularly the protagonist Amber Prescott, are well-developed and relatable, drawing readers into their struggles and the moral dilemmas they face in a suspenseful locked room escape room scenario.

'Sadie' by Courtney Summers is a gripping YA novel that follows the story of Sadie, a teenage girl on a mission to avenge her sister's death. The book is structured with dual storylines - one from Sadie's perspective as she embarks on a dangerous journey to find her sister's killer, and the other from the viewpoint of a journalist creating a podcast about Sadie's disappearance. Through these alternating narratives, the reader gets a glimpse into Sadie's harrowing life filled with abandonment, abuse, and the search for justice.

The writing style of 'Sadie' is unique and engaging, utilizing the podcast format to provide additional insights and perspectives into the story. The book delves into dark and serious topics such as drug addiction, sexual abuse, and family dysfunction, offering a thought-provoking and emotionally taut mystery that keeps readers on edge until the end.

None Shall Sleep is a gripping YA thriller that follows two teens, Emma and Bell, with ties to serial killers, as they are recruited by the FBI to interview young serial killers. The story unfolds with a fast-paced, procedural writing style that keeps readers engaged and invested in the characters. The plot delves into the minds of serial killers, the hunt to catch them, and the challenges faced by the characters as they navigate the dark world of criminal profiling.

'Prep School Confidential' by Kara Taylor is a fast-paced YA thriller that follows the protagonist Anne as she navigates through school, relationships, and dangerous mysteries. Anne's character is portrayed as funny, snarky, and self-endangering, leading her to uncover dark secrets and put herself in perilous situations. The plot unfolds with Anne facing PTSD, navigating through boy troubles, and getting entangled in a web of deceit, danger, and murder. The writing style captures the reader's attention with chilling chapters and a strong focus on the mystery, while also delving into themes of friendship, romance, and personal growth.