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kailesbooks 's review for:
This Is Our Story
by Ashley Elston
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This YA mystery totally pulled me in from the first chapter! The suspense builds in all the right places, and the final reveal of who the killer was genuinely surprised me.
Five boys go into the woods for a hunting trip—only four come out. When one of them is found dead, the others close ranks, protected by powerful families and a broken justice system. High school senior Kate Marino, interning at the district attorney’s office, becomes determined to uncover the truth, especially since she was secretly involved with the victim. As she digs deeper, Kate finds herself caught in a web of secrets, privilege, and lies, where the truth could be deadly.
I listened to the audiobook and while the overall performance was solid, the interview transcripts got a little confusing with just one narrator when both narrators could’ve helped keep those parts clearer.
That said, the story itself was a strong 5 stars for me. It gave me all the true-crime vibes I love without ever feeling too dark. I really appreciated how the story centered a whodunit-type setting, but also explored themes of privilege, justice, and what it means to speak up.
If you’re into twisty mysteries with high-class suspects and a determined, relatable main character, This Is Our Story is definitely worth the read!
Five boys go into the woods for a hunting trip—only four come out. When one of them is found dead, the others close ranks, protected by powerful families and a broken justice system. High school senior Kate Marino, interning at the district attorney’s office, becomes determined to uncover the truth, especially since she was secretly involved with the victim. As she digs deeper, Kate finds herself caught in a web of secrets, privilege, and lies, where the truth could be deadly.
I listened to the audiobook and while the overall performance was solid, the interview transcripts got a little confusing with just one narrator when both narrators could’ve helped keep those parts clearer.
That said, the story itself was a strong 5 stars for me. It gave me all the true-crime vibes I love without ever feeling too dark. I really appreciated how the story centered a whodunit-type setting, but also explored themes of privilege, justice, and what it means to speak up.
If you’re into twisty mysteries with high-class suspects and a determined, relatable main character, This Is Our Story is definitely worth the read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
Minor: Classism