WoW: When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven

This bookish meme tells the blogosphere what we’re waiting patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) for! It’s hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine!

A simmering psychological thriller about a dead teacher at an elite boarding school, the students who had every reason to want her gone, and the tangled web of rivalry and romance concealing the truth—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places.

At an elite boarding school, 8 students are selected for an exclusive program, but only one will walk away with a lifechanging opportunity to realize their creative dreams. 

Effy is piecing together a story about the tragic betrayal that led to her mother’s death. Arlo hopes to publish a novel—but he’s also trying to start a new chapter with Effy after he broke her heart and ghosted 3 years earlier. Everyone has a compelling reason to be there—they all want a big break—but only the most ambitious will prevail as the students are eliminated one by one.

Their mentor is the one and only Meredith Graffam, an enigmatic writer, director and actress, whose unorthodox teaching methods push them past the breaking point. Under Graffam’s tutelage, the students reveal their darkest secrets, take unthinkable risks, and slowly start to turn on one another. But Graffam never expected they would turn on her . . .

Published by: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Expected Publication: September 2, 2025

Why I’m Waiting: Listen, I saw “psychological thriller” and “…never expected they would turn on her …” And that was really all I needed. I don’t think it even mattered about the other stuff in the middle. I’m going to read it as soon as it’s available. Also, this cover is giving me LIFEEEEE! So yeah I need this yesterday! So Knopf, if you see this, PLEASE KNOW, my inbox and mailbox are opennnnnnnnnnnn 🤷🏾‍♀️ LMAO

What about you? Will you read this? Have you read anything else by Jennifer Niven? Let me know in the comments!