Narrated by: January LaVoy
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Published by: HarperCollins
Read from: September 30-October 1, 2025
Stand-alone
Source: LibroFM (I received a free ALC from the Libro FM and the publisher. I also received a physical ARC from the ALA conference that I read in tandem with this. This did nothing to influence my review)
Content Warning: Toxic Friendship, Body Shaming, Bullying, Racism, Suicide, Toxic Relationship, Alcohol
For Readers Interested In: ARC, Audio, Holy Crap, Sparkly Cover, Most anticipated, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Realistic Fiction, Stand-alone, Thrillers, YANew York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another stunning, ripped-from-the-headlines thriller, following a freshman girl whose college life is turned upside down when her roommate’s ex-convict brother moves into their dorm and starts controlling their every move.
Out from under her overprotective parents, Jordyn is ready to kill it in prelaw at a prestigious, historically Black university in Washington DC. When her new roommate’s brother is released from prison, the last thing Jordyn expects is to come home and find the ex-convict on their dorm room sofa. But Devonte needs a place to stay while he gets back on his feet—and how could she say no to one of her new best friends?
Devonte is older, as charming as he is intelligent, pushing every student he meets to make better choices about their young lives. But Jordyn senses something sinister beneath his friendly advice and growing group of followers. When one of Jordyn’s roommates goes missing, she must enlist the help of the university’s lone white student to uncover the mystery—or become trapped at the center of a web of lies more tangled than she can imagine.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I’m convinced we aren’t all reading the same book. How in the world am I seeing 1 and 2 star reviews for this book? This was so good! And the story that this one seems to stem from is just as weird. Idk what y’all were reading, but even tho I knew the twist I still enjoyed the hell out of this and I’m sad because now I don’t have another TDJ book to look forward to this year lol (Yes she put out two this year, but that’s besides the point lmao)
Ok so the characters in this were UNHINGED. I swear I say this ALL THE TIME with TDJ’s books, but this time was for real. I kept wondering what how the hell these people got into these situations because every time they thought I could only think of one word… I won’t put it to avoid spoilers, but Lordt they were grating on my nerves. And watching them fall under this spell hit me so hard. It was like watching them falling for another cult. I just kept blinking and trying to figure out how they fell for this. Just know that they will make you mad. And if you think there’s no way they would actually do this, please know that it can actually happen….
I loved the way she wrote this tho. TDJ’s writing style is amazing. I got sucked into this book and ended up bingeing the ending of it in 1 day. I And since I had the ARC and was reading with my eyeballs, I have no idea how I even did that lol My mom was visiting so I guess I have her to thank. Because there was no way I could put that down. I had to know what happened.
I don’t want to say more for spoilers, but this was crazy. There was so much going on, but I promise you won’t even realize it until you have finished the book. This is one book you will not want to miss. I hope y’all pick this one up!
Overall, I give this
