* I gave this book 4.75 for review and I did receive my copy from the publisher for my honest thoughts*
I was super invested in this story and the characters from page one. I found this mystery and the characters to be super engaging and it was hard to put down. I loved the various POV we got and how effective the past and present storyline was told as well as how and when we got this POV. I also thought the story was not only unpredictable but also so honest and realistic in the end. I just flew through this book and really loved the how this story occurred. I felt the ending was a tad rushed but i would def read more by this author in the future! ( )

* I gave this book 4.75 for review and I did receive my copy from the publisher for my honest thoughts*
I was super invested in this story and the characters from page one. I found this mystery and the characters to be super engaging and it was hard to put down. I loved the various POV we got and how effective the past and present storyline was told as well as how and when we got this POV. I also thought the story was not only unpredictable but also so honest and realistic in the end. I just flew through this book and really loved the how this story occurred. I felt the ending was a tad rushed but i would def read more by this author in the future! ( )

I think it was okay. It wasn't great. Don't let anyone tell you it was. If so ask them to define "great". It wasn't horrible though. It was acceptable? The genre in general is pretty formulaic. So, right off the bat you are climbing an uphill battle. If you've read any amount of literature or even watched a soap opera before you can figure these things out pretty quick. Without trying to give any spoilers away nothing is introduced into a story like this without a purpose. So when someone seems a casual player but their actions are nothing but good even as the narrator tries to cover for them or take the blame you can pretty much follow the trail of breadcrumbs yourself. Unreliable narrator as become far too predictable lately. I blame Girl on a Train but that's only because it was done so well and now everyone thinks they can do it. Ya can't. Then there is moody teen drama. You have to go there because it's a YA novel and your backdrop is already murder, death, suicide, and sex. The only think you're missing is a tension filled mother/daughter relationship. Oh wait. Not missing. Now you have sketchy non players, unreliable narrator, teen angst, and family drama. Looks like Scooby and the gang have their work cut out for them. But no Scooby more like Daphne and Velma. Super pretty popular girl and her mousey smarter friend. How will it end!?
I will say the characters weren't annoying. No one tried to hard to be a believable teen. I think there were some avenues of interest that would have been more interesting to explore. Even though the author tries to do flashback chapters to explore those characters it wasn't enough to really make you care about them or even keep them straight in your head. I think there is potential for exploration into some of the side stories and I wish they were flushed out better.
It was a quick read. No need to write in the margins on this one. ( )

4.5 stars

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas is a gripping and suspenseful young adult thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

The story revolves around a small town haunted by the deaths of five cheerleaders. As the protagonist, Monica starts digging into the past, she uncovers dark secrets and uncanny connections that make her question everything she thought she knew.

Thomas's writing is engaging and atmospheric, creating a sense of unease and tension throughout the book. The characters are well-developed and realistic, each with their own secrets and motivations that add depth to the story.

The pacing is excellent, with twists and turns that will leave you guessing and craving for more. The author skillfully weaves together different timelines and perspectives, gradually revealing the truth behind the cheerleaders' deaths.

What sets The Cheerleaders apart is its exploration of complex themes such as grief, guilt, and the consequences of secrets. Thomas delves into the psychology of the characters, making their struggles and emotions feel authentic and relatable.

Overall, The Cheerleaders is a captivating thriller that combines mystery, suspense, and emotional depth. It is a must-read for fans of the genre who enjoy well-crafted plots and compelling characters. ( )

3.5 stars

This was supposed to be MY FAVORITE book of the summer!! I wanted to love it sooooo badly. I mean, we have cheerleaders murder mystery-- what more could I want??? Apparently, what I wanted was more.

It's not that this was a bad book-- I did like it. The thing is, it wasn't that exciting. There were a lot of things that I would have just wanted to be cut rather than to go along with the character going through the mundane motions and none of it turning out to mean anything. While there was a legit mystery, it wasn't as riveting as I was expecting. I kind of thought there would be new killings or a new threat looming-- and that intensity just wasn't there.

On a positive note, there really wasn't any romance-- and right now I'm just not feeling the romance in books very much, so that part made me happy. There was an inappropriate relationship, and I did feel terrible for Monica to be in that situation.

My favorite part of this book was Monica. I thought she was going through some major problems (as the book opens she's just had an abortion & the anniversary of her sister's death is coming up) and I liked reading about her journey through it all. Her new friend Ginny was also a highlight, but I felt a little off about her at times. She was just a tad too eager to help or something.

The twist was on point with the twists I know from Kara Thomas's other books. That genuinely saved the book for me. I just wished that it was something to CONNECT everything, and it really wasn't that.

OVERALL: Kinda disappointed. It pains me to say that it didn't live up to my massive expectations. I enjoyed the book up to a point, but it dragged too much and didn't have enough of an IMMEDIATENESS to the mystery.

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