This book took me a bit to get into and I'll start by saying the writing style was never the issue. Julie Soto, as always, is an amazing writer and I think it's really a testament to how incredible she is at telling these stories that I'm rating this a 4/5 when I typically don't really like thrillers or mysteries. The first 50% sort of felt overly long to me and I was gripped by the writing style but not the story. But then, at about 50%, I was captivated and couldn't put it down.

It's hard to review this without giving spoilers away - who's 'good', who's 'bad', who's 'guilty', who's 'reliable'. But I think that's sort of the thing with this story is that there were no black and white answers anyway. Each character shows 'good' and 'bad' traits that really leave you guessing til the very end. 

Zack is a golden retriever type MMC in many ways and as a reader, you're instantly brought into his inner circle and captivated by him much like everyone else is. Like you're right there with everyone else who worships the ground he walks on, saying 'Zack is just a lovable boy, none of this is on him!' Jodi is incredibly relatable and I think we've all had those moments of trying to keep up with our friends or wondering - on a bad day - if you're really as important to others as they are to you. Lucy & Paige were fun too. It was sometimes hard to tell if they were mean girls or if they were genuinely good friends. Julian - my love, my heart lol - he was the Chuck Bass of the group (perhaps season 2/3/4 Chuck though not season 1.) Oliver was also interesting, as the only character who didn't really have a 'redemption arc' of sorts. And Emily. Emily, Emily, Emily..... Girl. 

The mystery was intriguing, though sort of anticlimactic at the end. I think that was the point though. I hate how Zack's story ended, honestly, but it does seem on par for how it would happen in real life, if that makes sense. 

My review links will be updated shortly.