e-ALC, 07:53:15
Narrated by: Emily Ellet
Release Date: July 7, 2026
Published by: Scholastic, Inc.
Read from: July 17, 2026
Stand-alone
Source: Library’s Libby
Content Warning: Death of a Parent, Fire/Fire Injury, Toxic Relationship, Adult/Minor Relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Child Abuse, Gun Violence, and Homophobia
For Readers of: Audio, Contemporary, Most Anticipated, Realistic Fiction, YAFrom New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger comes an addicting read that’s The Girls by Emma Cline meets The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson.
There are many reasons why six girls have ended up living with Sol in a cabin deep in the Kentucky woods. But the girls don’t talk about what has brought them each here or who they were before. The have become sisters and are grateful to have a place to call home.
Iris knows she owes everything to Sol. He has promised to keep them safe from their pasts. All he asks in return is for their loyalty, which Iris freely gives. With her sisters and Sol as her family, she feels happier than she has in a long time. Until a new girl arrives and everything changes. Sol dubs her Rose and the sisters are quick to welcome her.Iris is drawn Rose, but as they grow closer, Rose has Iris questioning things about this life in the woods. When Sol notices, he challenges Iris to prove her commitment to their family. Her sisters tell her that she should be willing to do anything for the man who saved her. But with each new ask, Iris realizes there is more to Sol – and her sisters – than she knows, and some secret should stay buried deep.
New York Times bestselling author Kody Keplinger weaves a stunning story about girlhood, power, and desperation that asks just how far we’ll go to save ourselves – and those we love.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I’m so torn in this. On the one hand I loved the message and want everyone to read it and get the message. On the other hand I was left wondering where the thriller part of this thriller actually was.
Ok so the thing that got me was the writing style and pacing. The same things kept happening over and over and over and it just felt redundant for a while. And I get it, it was to drive the point home, but I felt like there was better ways to do that. I ended up being bored for most of the time and it was disappointing. When things started really happening, it was the end and I knew exactly where it was going. There was no twist and it just annoyed me that I called the entire story.
On the other hand, I loved the message that it gave. Those girls were bad ass and they all deserved so much better. I wanted to hug all of them. None of them should have even been in the position to be creeped on by them. And this was the first time I’ve seen a comp actually be correct. I saw The Scammer by Tiffany D Jackson and I thought hmmmmmm how is this going to be the same? And then I read it. And yep, I see the comparisons. I thought that one was a cult, and I’m thinking this one counts as one too.
The ending was when it got good. I could see where it was going, but I was so happy to finally have something happen that I did mind. But then just when it was getting good, it was the climax of the story and then it was just over. The pacing of this was so odd. And then the closing scene is at the place where they should have been from the beginning. Why wouldn’t they show what they saw at the house? Some of the stories they told them? Idk, I just felt like there was a lot more of the story to tell. I still had so many questions.
This was ok because I did see the comps to one of my favorite books, but I did feel like it was missing something still. We got so much of the before, but I wanted more of the after. But even still, it still had its moments. I say pick it up and give it a read to form your own opinion.
Overall, I give this
