Like I said in my non-spoiler review, this one took me a few days to get through—which is not normal for me. I’m usually a binge reader who finishes a thriller in every free second I can get. But don’t let that dissuade you from picking this one up. The ending is absolutely worth it!
Some of the subplots felt a little unnecessary while I was reading (like the whole nude photos thing?), but by the time I reached the finale it all tied together perfectly. Every side thread added to the bigger picture and made the grand finale land with that “ahhh, yes” feeling.
From the start, we know Amelia’s life is already on shaky ground, but once Paige enters, you instantly feel those little hairs stand up on the back of your neck. She’s too available, too helpful, too eager to insert herself. She plays the perfect “friend” while secretly pulling every string behind the scenes. Her revenge plan against Amelia unfolded exactly the way she wanted—except, of course, for that first awkward night with Hudson. At times I feel bad for Taryn. She seemed like such a sweet girl who was about to get dragged into this evil little game between moms. Honestly, I loved Taryn and Marnie’s friendship because I know firsthand how tough high school can be, and having that one solid best friend really can make or break your experience.
That said, Amelia frustrated me more than once. Like, you just got scammed out of twenty grand, then you conveniently fall ill right when your “bank” calls, and you don’t think to say, “I’ll call back later”? And who’s right there at the exact moment? Paige. Always Paige. Scenes like that made me want to shake Amelia for not piecing things together sooner.
Now, onto the juicy ending. It was so satisfying when Amelia finally discovered Paige had killed Dean (yes girl, the signs were all there!). But the real shocker? Taryn turning out to be just as twisted as her mom. That reveal made so much sense in hindsight, and without it, some of the subplots wouldn’t have hit as hard (like the nude photos). Miranda Rijks tied everything up in a bow that was dark, neat, and oh-so-satisfying.
Overall, this was a very solid read. I almost wish I had binge-read it like I usually do, but even stretched over a few days, it left me impressed and entertained.👀 Haven’t read You Can Trust Me yet? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with a non-spoiler review that gives you the vibe without the twists. Read it here »