Reviews

Keep This to Yourself by Tom Ryan

mikaelabooks's review

3.0

tbh I don't really remember anything from this book. I remember enjoying the book when I read it.

maryehavens's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this book but something is keeping me from 5 stars. The ending/big reveal was well done and I definitely did not expect it. I’ve been watching a show called Unusual Suspects and this plot was tailor made for that show. I also liked that some major action took place at the local library :)
The book definitely kept me guessing and had good momentum. Michael Crouch is an excellent narrator.

brittrivera's review

3.0

Keep This to Yourself is the perfect summer read with an idyllic vacation town setting and a murder mystery full of twists and turns. It's not the darkest book, but not all books have to be and I liked that inside of the thrilling aspects was a lovely little love story and a journey of self discovery. Also that love story happens to be between two male characters and it's just a fact, not made into the sole focus of the story. Telling LGBTQA+ stories are important of course, but sometimes the main character can just be gay and that's part of his story, not the entire thing.
I do wish this book had a little more about Connor and Mac's friendship before Connor died because I wanted to know more about their relationship. If they were such good friends since childhood I feel like we should've gotten a little more than just the fact that they both loved comics.
Otherwise I did really like the mystery aspect and had to keep reading to figure out whodunnit. I liked the reveal and I didn't see it coming, but once it happened it made sense. There's one clue in particular that's stuck out to me and I keep thinking about it afterwards so that definitely means the author did his job!
*Thank you to Albert Whitman & Company & NetGalley for the E-Arc copy of this novel.*

hhades_'s review

4.0

4.5

trainerh15's review against another edition

5.0

Could not put this one down. Such a good plot. Loved the LGBTQ+ main character. Great plot twist. Only wish the ending was a bit more realistic. A little too good to be true.

reesevedder's review

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Thought I had it figured out, but there were some decent twists at the end. My only critique is the dialog didn't feel very natural.

zbrarian's review

5.0

I read this last spring after reading a recommendation. In a similar style to Karen McManus, this book had me on the edge from the beginning. I really liked the introduction of this YA male protagonist. I would call the flow of the plot a slow burn that doesn't let you go. Not only is Mac trying to discover the truth behind the Catalog Killer, he is trying to come to grips with his true feelings about Connor, while starting a burgeoning relationship with Quill, one of the victim's cousins. The way the author wrote Mac's struggle oozes off the page. If anyone likes a gripping mystery, this one got my vote!

onepageatatime's review

4.0

This is such a great thriller. You know when people say that a book has them on the edge of your seat? This book actually had me there. I blew through this book because it really made me feel like I was in the book. I needed to have answers. If you have a weak heart this is not the book for you because this book will stress you out until you get the answers and relief that only finishing the book will provide.

whatlouiseisreading's review

4.0

The twist in this was so good that I had to walk it off.

I removed a star for the fact that the character had too many sudden and coincidental realisations for the uncovering of the mystery to feel natural. Otherwise I really enjoyed it!!! Highly recommend!!

Also the main character of this book is gay and has an amazing romance— I loved seeing a queer character in a teen mystery who was the main character! Only other times I’ve seen it are People Like Us and Broken Things and I’m glad to see it become more common!

yourstrulytay's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0