- Genre: LGBTQIAP+ | Mystery & Thrillers | Teens & YA
- Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publish date: July 30, 2024
- Number of pages: 336 pages
- Author’s website: https://www.joellewellington.com/
- Support local! Buy the book on BookShop!
A group of friends fight to choose their own fates in this trope-savvy, self-referential young adult thriller from the acclaimed author of Their Vicious Games , about a demonic force that acts according to horror movie rules in the spirit of the Scream movies.
Devon is always being left behind by her genius twin sister, Drew. At this point, it’s a fact of life. But Devon has one last plan before Drew leaves for college a whole year early—The Best Summer Ever. After committing to the bit a little too much, the twins and their chaotic circle of friends learn why you don’t ever mess with a Ouija board if you want to actually survive the Best Summer Ever, and soon find themselves being hunted down by…a demon?
But while there’s no mistaking the creeping, venomous figure is not from around here, their method doesn’t feel very demonic at all. In fact, it’s downright human—going after them in typical slasher movie kill order. And that means Devon, the blonde, is up first and her decade-long crush, Yaya, is the Final Girl who must kill or be killed to end the cycle.
Devon has never liked playing by anyone else’s rules though, not even a demon’s, and the longer this goes on, the more she feels Drew and Yaya slipping away from her even as she tries to help them all survive. Can they use their horror movie knowledge to flip the script and become the hunters instead of the hunted? Or will their best summer ever be their last?
Rating: 4/5
Wow, I liked this so much!!! I’m a big horror movie fan and Joelle Wellington is definitely one too. Come for the Scream references and stay for all the other horror film trivia, tropes, and nods.
This is a fast-paced slasher that takes place in Brooklyn and follows a group of friends who end up being hunted by an entity. Told with wit, this found family is trying to have a great summer together while dealing with growing up, change, crushes — y’know, all the normal things teens go through, but oh! also!!! something seems to be going after each of them in the order of normal horror tropes starting with the blond and ending with the final girl.
There’s some repetitiveness with the main character’s fixation with “The Best Summer Ever” but this isn’t new for a young adult novel. These are kids dealing with big feelings which does come with circular, intrusive thoughts… that don’t really go away with adulthood. If you can stick with the naviete of the cast of characters, you’ll be rewarded with a fun YA horror story!
BTW, you can check out my review of Joelle Wellington’s first novel here: https://musingsbymichelle.com/2023/08/27/book-review-their-vicious-games-by-joelle-wellington/
Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to know!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. This has not impacted my rating and this review is voluntary.
Musings by Michelle 
I just finished this book and enjoyed it! A great, insightful review.