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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book grabbed me from the very beginning. There’s something eerie and magnetic about the Vaughn family, and from the jump, I knew there were secrets just waiting to unravel. The story follows Kyla as she’s forced to face the grief, guilt, and chaos left behind after her best friend’s sudden death—and it does not hold back.
Joelle Wellington explores the beauty industry in a dark, intriguing way that reminded me of shows like Savage Beauty—glossy on the surface, but hiding something sinister underneath. The commentary on image, influence, and exploitation felt timely and sharp without ever feeling preachy.
Kyla is a complicated main character. There were moments I sympathized with her and others where I was seriously side-eyeing her choices. The relationships—especially with her brother Mikky—felt raw and real, even when they were messy. And that family tension? Whew. It added so much emotional weight to the story.
With its eerie vibes, layered relationships, and a plot full of secrets, this was a compelling read that had me flipping pages late into the night. If you like your thrillers smart, stylish, and full of secrets, definitely pick this one up.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
I love me a good sibling trope! We are following Kyla who has just found out her best friend Erin is dead. They have SOOOO many secrets and so many to be revealed.
In steps Mikky-Kyla’s emo/punk older brother who is moving back home to support his sister. Except when he gets there? He doesn’t recognize her at all 👀
I loved Mikky so much and I loved his love interest-kicking my feet. I wish we actually had more moments of them and more moments of Mikky and Kyla together.
I really enjoyed that this involved makeup and the makeup industry.
The pacing was a bit off-because it felt sooooo repetitive.
Will be a hit in the YA world of readers.
Thank you Simon and Schuester for the ARC!
In steps Mikky-Kyla’s emo/punk older brother who is moving back home to support his sister. Except when he gets there? He doesn’t recognize her at all 👀
I loved Mikky so much and I loved his love interest-kicking my feet. I wish we actually had more moments of them and more moments of Mikky and Kyla together.
I really enjoyed that this involved makeup and the makeup industry.
The pacing was a bit off-because it felt sooooo repetitive.
Will be a hit in the YA world of readers.
Thank you Simon and Schuester for the ARC!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc!
Girls Who Play Dead has been an extremely anticipated read after I finished Vicious Games -- a book I LOVED. This book follows the aftermath of a murder in a very classic stereotypical small town as two siblings deal with the trauma.
Unfortunately, this just didn't live up to the hype that Their Vicious Games set. (Not to say that it was bad, by any means of course)
One of my favorite parts was the sibling relationship. I'm always so locked in for sibling relationships in books and it's always been a favorite part. Mikky is such a compelling character, both as a brother and a person. I LOVED his whole punk goth look, and it very much gave me Roderick Heffley vibes.Him and his sister also had this whole "Hold my hand, don't let go." which were both iconic moments when it showed up .
However, I also really wished we got to see more of him as a character because it felt more of him being a brother + having his own side romance then also being his own character. I wanted to learn more about his experience when he was a freshman and the trauma and the therapy and everything.
I also felt like there were some "fuck capitalism" moments that just. weren't needed? It didn't contribute to the actual message of the story, and it just felt off to me.
The romance he had wasextremely cute. I fear I may have done a little kick and giggle at some of the scenes they had together. guys..they liked each other so much ugh.
The romance with the sister was..not it. (WHEN I SAY THIS I DO NOT MEAN INCEST) It just felt like there was romance for the sake of romance? Kyla deserves to grieve and getting it on with him was. weird. i wanted toxic yuri okay 💔 and it was SO implied in this book u cannot convince me im wrong.
Mystery also felt just a little lacking? I can't quite place my finger on it, but it could have been better.
The other pov we follow was Kyla who's literally an icon tbh. she's mean, petty, and grieving and she's out to get you <3. classic mean girl LMAO and very unlikable but I love to see it.
Overall, loved the characters but eh for everything else.
Girls Who Play Dead has been an extremely anticipated read after I finished Vicious Games -- a book I LOVED. This book follows the aftermath of a murder in a very classic stereotypical small town as two siblings deal with the trauma.
Unfortunately, this just didn't live up to the hype that Their Vicious Games set. (Not to say that it was bad, by any means of course)
One of my favorite parts was the sibling relationship. I'm always so locked in for sibling relationships in books and it's always been a favorite part. Mikky is such a compelling character, both as a brother and a person. I LOVED his whole punk goth look, and it very much gave me Roderick Heffley vibes.
However, I also really wished we got to see more of him as a character because it felt more of him being a brother + having his own side romance then also being his own character. I wanted to learn more about his experience when he was a freshman and the trauma and the therapy and everything.
I also felt like there were some "fuck capitalism" moments that just. weren't needed? It didn't contribute to the actual message of the story, and it just felt off to me.
The romance he had was
The romance with the sister was..not it. (WHEN I SAY THIS I DO NOT MEAN INCEST) It just felt like there was romance for the sake of romance? Kyla deserves to grieve and getting it on with him was. weird. i wanted toxic yuri okay 💔 and it was SO implied in this book u cannot convince me im wrong.
Mystery also felt just a little lacking? I can't quite place my finger on it, but it could have been better.
The other pov we follow was Kyla who's literally an icon tbh. she's mean, petty, and grieving and she's out to get you <3. classic mean girl LMAO and very unlikable but I love to see it.
Overall, loved the characters but eh for everything else.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to Joelle Wellington, Simon & Schuster, & The StoryGraph for hosting this giveaway and providing the opportunity to enter it!
I had a fun time reading Girls Who Play Dead. I love the sketchy, small, New England town vibes & the beauty industry angle was interesting. Very refreshing for YA, and definitely relevant. I wish there was more focus on the sleuthing rather than the petty drama, but that’s just my personal preference with mysteries. Mikky is surprisingly grounded for a 17-year-old, I really enjoyed his character, especially.And I’m glad he & Kyla were able to repair their sibling bond.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel & would particularly recommend it to readers who enjoyed A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Both have similar vibes & a fast-paced narrative great for those who crave a thrilling plot.
I had a fun time reading Girls Who Play Dead. I love the sketchy, small, New England town vibes & the beauty industry angle was interesting. Very refreshing for YA, and definitely relevant. I wish there was more focus on the sleuthing rather than the petty drama, but that’s just my personal preference with mysteries. Mikky is surprisingly grounded for a 17-year-old, I really enjoyed his character, especially.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel & would particularly recommend it to readers who enjoyed A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Both have similar vibes & a fast-paced narrative great for those who crave a thrilling plot.
When I requested this ARC on NetGalley I was a tad nervous due to the story's funeral home aspect. That's a personal thing, but I found that it didn't take away from the story for me.
This story is Mikky and Kyla trying to navigate the world in a time where they've been apart for years. Though they maintained contact, it's different when you're calling and texting versus being their in the flesh and that is the main point of contention in this book. Both are doing what they think they need to, but butting heads at every turn.
But as time goes on, they're both learning and growing. Mikky finding his people and footing in a school he had to leave years before is great to see. As is Kyla slowly (so slowly) coming to terms with how much of herself was tied up in Erin and how much she was keeping to herself.
I enjoyed every bit of this story, even if I wanted to shake Kyla a little so she'd let her brother in.
I won't say I didn't guess the killer, because I did, but watching how they came to the conclusion was interesting to see. And my sole complaints are that I wish there had been time for Mikky and Kyla to have a real heart to heart and the same for both of them with their mother. Though I'm sure that does happen for them.
This story is Mikky and Kyla trying to navigate the world in a time where they've been apart for years. Though they maintained contact, it's different when you're calling and texting versus being their in the flesh and that is the main point of contention in this book. Both are doing what they think they need to, but butting heads at every turn.
But as time goes on, they're both learning and growing. Mikky finding his people and footing in a school he had to leave years before is great to see. As is Kyla slowly (so slowly) coming to terms with how much of herself was tied up in Erin and how much she was keeping to herself.
I enjoyed every bit of this story, even if I wanted to shake Kyla a little so she'd let her brother in.
I won't say I didn't guess the killer, because I did, but watching how they came to the conclusion was interesting to see. And my sole complaints are that I wish there had been time for Mikky and Kyla to have a real heart to heart and the same for both of them with their mother. Though I'm sure that does happen for them.
First Line: If you think your love life is a disaster, I’m here to make you feel a whole lot better about yourself.
Reasons to Read:
Sibling Loyalty
Mikky returns to Prophets Lake not just to mourn Erin, but to save the sister who’s unraveling before his eyes—no matter what dark truths he has to uncover.- Small Town Secrets
Prophets Lake may look peaceful, but underneath the surface is a twisted beauty empire, long-held grudges, and a history no one wants Mikky to expose. - Emotional Mystery
Grief, guilt, and buried betrayal drive Mikky’s quest for answers—because to protect Kyla, he might have to confront who she’s become.
Good For People Who: like a slow burn mystery, unlikeable characters
Rating: 3 lipsticks
Thoughts: This book was on my most anticipated reads this month despite coming out in November. Maybe it was the cover that drew me in. This is definitely a slow burn and takes awhile for anything to happen related to the death of Erin. A lot of it is Mikky trying to figure out why his sister is the way she is. When you finally figure out what is happening, it makes sense. However, there is a certain aspect that left me wanting for this ending. Definitely pick this up if you like characters who are all morally grey.
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
thanks to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and NetGalley
Wellington writes Ya with a vicious fast paced style that pulls no emotional punches. While I generally do not particularly seek out either YA or Thrillers as a genre Wellington has made me a believer.
Mikky exudes lone wolf, cool alt guy in a way that is often attempted but rarely achieved. He is highly relatable and highly likable. He becomes entangled in the central mystery as easy as falling asleep.
Kyla is a delightful collection of opposing ideals. A mean girl who clearly cares deeply for the people in her circle. Smart and driven and the quintessential cheerleader. Cool girl driving a hearse because she thinks it’s cool.
I normally cant stand a highschool plot. I graduated and never want to go back and yet this book had me enthralled with both the greater mystery of a dead best friend and the day to day dredge of homework and school life.
At times the characters do feel a little older than high school, especially Mikky, with how simply responsible they are and how few straight up stupid choices they make but to be honest I liked that aspect and maybe the characters are just smarter then I was and have a greater pressure to preform.
I will be shocked if this doesn’t get picked up as a tv series not that it needs it by any means but i certainly would be trying to adapt if i was in the feild
The conclusion to the central mystery is so satisfying. It feels both plausible and like the reader can actually solve it.
I really enjoyed this book and am going to pick up more by this author ASAP
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated