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This Stays Between Us
10 Years ago:
A group of university friends are studying abroad in Australia, having the time of their lives. Sun-kissed skin, whirlwind romances, all-night parties 鈥� they think it will never end, that nothing bad could ever happen to them.
When the exclusive Outback Experience begins, they can't wait to travel the country, swim with sharks, hike in the national park and see the outback. But then one of the group turns up dead and their trip of a lifetime becomes a nightmare.
Now:
New evidence has been found and the group have returned to Australia to be interviewed by the police. One of them knows what happened all those years ago, but they will do anything to keep the truth buried.
A group of university friends are studying abroad in Australia, having the time of their lives. Sun-kissed skin, whirlwind romances, all-night parties 鈥� they think it will never end, that nothing bad could ever happen to them.
When the exclusive Outback Experience begins, they can't wait to travel the country, swim with sharks, hike in the national park and see the outback. But then one of the group turns up dead and their trip of a lifetime becomes a nightmare.
Now:
New evidence has been found and the group have returned to Australia to be interviewed by the police. One of them knows what happened all those years ago, but they will do anything to keep the truth buried.
432 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 15, 2025
11681 people want to read
About the author
Sara Ochs
2听books375听followersSara Ochs is an author, law professor, and avid traveler. Born and raised in Upstate New York, Sara and her husband now split their time between the United States and Sweden.
When she鈥檚 not turning one of the many places she鈥檚 visited into the setting of her next thriller, she can usually be found trip planning.
Sara鈥檚 debut novel, a thriller set on a remote Thai island, will be published as THE DIVE in the UK and territories in July 鈥�23 and as THE RESORT in the USA in February 鈥�24.
You can find Sara on Instagram @saraochsauthor and on Twitter @OchsWrites.
When she鈥檚 not turning one of the many places she鈥檚 visited into the setting of her next thriller, she can usually be found trip planning.
Sara鈥檚 debut novel, a thriller set on a remote Thai island, will be published as THE DIVE in the UK and territories in July 鈥�23 and as THE RESORT in the USA in February 鈥�24.
You can find Sara on Instagram @saraochsauthor and on Twitter @OchsWrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 18, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Sara Ochs, and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Some summers never end.. Some secrets refuse to stay buried...
What begins as a dream trip for six college students quickly spirals into something far darker in this compulsive thriller that sizzles with heat, secrets, and slow-burning suspense. One of them vanishes. Phoebe, the one with fractured friendships and festering jealousy, disappears into the outback.
They told themselves she ran. They left. But the outback never forgets.
Now, ten years later, her body is found. The past calls them back, not for answers, but reckoning!
Who really saw Phoebe last?
Who whispered the first lie?
Can six people carry the weight of a secret this heavy, without one of them breaking?
From the first page, the story hums with unease. The narrative unfolds between "then" and "now" blurring until the truth begins to unravel allowing just enough space for doubt to fester.
The characters are messy, flawed, and bound together by something darker than friendship. Every twist made me question what I thought I knew. As the the tension builds, you start to wonder just how far would someone go to keep the truth buried? And if someone was willing to kill ten years ago, would they do it again?
This Stay Between Us is a nightmare of betrayal, obsession, and guilt. A haunting exploration of what happens when the lies we tell ourselves become the stories we live by. And in the end, when the final truth is revealed I found myself asking: What really happened that summer? Can anyone walk away innocent? I guess you will have to read it to find out!! 馃ぃ
猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍
Some summers never end.. Some secrets refuse to stay buried...
What begins as a dream trip for six college students quickly spirals into something far darker in this compulsive thriller that sizzles with heat, secrets, and slow-burning suspense. One of them vanishes. Phoebe, the one with fractured friendships and festering jealousy, disappears into the outback.
They told themselves she ran. They left. But the outback never forgets.
Now, ten years later, her body is found. The past calls them back, not for answers, but reckoning!
Who really saw Phoebe last?
Who whispered the first lie?
Can six people carry the weight of a secret this heavy, without one of them breaking?
From the first page, the story hums with unease. The narrative unfolds between "then" and "now" blurring until the truth begins to unravel allowing just enough space for doubt to fester.
The characters are messy, flawed, and bound together by something darker than friendship. Every twist made me question what I thought I knew. As the the tension builds, you start to wonder just how far would someone go to keep the truth buried? And if someone was willing to kill ten years ago, would they do it again?
This Stay Between Us is a nightmare of betrayal, obsession, and guilt. A haunting exploration of what happens when the lies we tell ourselves become the stories we live by. And in the end, when the final truth is revealed I found myself asking: What really happened that summer? Can anyone walk away innocent? I guess you will have to read it to find out!! 馃ぃ
猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍猸愶笍
May 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this suspense. It really just starts off fast and continues that way. The characters are well developed, and each draws out particular emotions. It has constant reminders of things are not always how they seem. Very well written. And the twist at the end is *chef's kiss*.
Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 22, 2025
ARC for review. To be published July 15, 2025.
2 stars
Ten years ago friends Phoebe and Claire went to Australia to study abroad for a month, but Phoebe disappeared. Now, Phoebe鈥檚 remains have been discovered and the rest of the study group returns to Australia (um, why?) All of them have secrets. Especially Claire. Because she killed Phoebe.
But, of course, it鈥檚 most complicated than that. The shifts in POV between Phoebe and Claire were a little confusing for me. Oh, and Phoebe only becomes an acceptable human being when she loses weight, which is awesome. Ugh.
2 stars
Ten years ago friends Phoebe and Claire went to Australia to study abroad for a month, but Phoebe disappeared. Now, Phoebe鈥檚 remains have been discovered and the rest of the study group returns to Australia (um, why?) All of them have secrets. Especially Claire. Because she killed Phoebe.
But, of course, it鈥檚 most complicated than that. The shifts in POV between Phoebe and Claire were a little confusing for me. Oh, and Phoebe only becomes an acceptable human being when she loses weight, which is awesome. Ugh.
May 15, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Ten years ago, six college students went to study abroad in Australia for the summer. A chance to explore the beauty and culture the country has to offer. But after drama and jealously lead to an accident of one of the students, everything changes. And then Phoebe goes missing. Now, their secrets are coming to light and someone knows what happened to Phoebe and will do what it takes to make sure that secret doesn鈥檛 get out.
I really enjoyed this thriller and how it kept making me change my opinion of who was behind it all. The ending though!
Ten years ago, six college students went to study abroad in Australia for the summer. A chance to explore the beauty and culture the country has to offer. But after drama and jealously lead to an accident of one of the students, everything changes. And then Phoebe goes missing. Now, their secrets are coming to light and someone knows what happened to Phoebe and will do what it takes to make sure that secret doesn鈥檛 get out.
I really enjoyed this thriller and how it kept making me change my opinion of who was behind it all. The ending though!
February 3, 2025
This is the best book I have read in quite some time! In the first few chapters, I got that tingle I get when I know that I'm going to absolutely love a book, and I wasn't wrong. The writing style was really enjoyable to read, and the cast of characters felt well-developed, distinct and believable.
The plot really kept me interested - both timelines had me hooked and I equally enjoyed Claire's and Phoebe's POV. The book was well paced and I loved the mini reveals throughout the book and there were lots of clever clues, without being too obvious.
I think it may divide people, but I loved the epilogue, and thought it was a perfect way to end the book. A massive 5 stars from me, and I would recommend it to everyone.
The plot really kept me interested - both timelines had me hooked and I equally enjoyed Claire's and Phoebe's POV. The book was well paced and I loved the mini reveals throughout the book and there were lots of clever clues, without being too obvious.
I think it may divide people, but I loved the epilogue, and thought it was a perfect way to end the book. A massive 5 stars from me, and I would recommend it to everyone.
May 20, 2025
When I read the premise of This Stays Between Us, I was definitely intrigued by the fact that we have a group of friends returning to Australia, after their summer of studying aboard there, when their friend Phoebe's remains were finally found after she went missing while studying with the group. Now they must piece together what really happened and how far will one go to keep the truth buried? As it turns out, everyone in the group has their own secret.
This book is dual pov with Claire being a narrator as the killer in the present and Phoebe in the past as victim. This book was a bit to get a handle on of what was going on at first, and at times the pretty much unlikable characters fell flat, but it was entertaining and intriguing. This is one of your standard summer- like psychological thrillers that'll keep you entertained but overall nothing remarkable about the book. This was a book where you'll think you've got it figured out but then you find out you've definitely got it wrong. Overall, I'd recommend it.
A big thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date July 15, 2025
This book is dual pov with Claire being a narrator as the killer in the present and Phoebe in the past as victim. This book was a bit to get a handle on of what was going on at first, and at times the pretty much unlikable characters fell flat, but it was entertaining and intriguing. This is one of your standard summer- like psychological thrillers that'll keep you entertained but overall nothing remarkable about the book. This was a book where you'll think you've got it figured out but then you find out you've definitely got it wrong. Overall, I'd recommend it.
A big thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date July 15, 2025
February 13, 2025
Wow! This was absolutely amazing! So many unhinged twists and turns! I was surprisingly shocked at each turn of events! I loved the cattiness and all the sexual tension between the group traveling abroad in Australia and I loved reading about the things they did in Sydney and in the Outback. The way Sara wrote the descriptions, I felt as if I was living alongside Ellery, Phoebe, Adrien, Kyan, Claire, Josh, Declan, Tomas and Hari. I felt everything they were feeling. Go into this blind because it is so good!
February 7, 2025
If you鈥檙e at all similar to me then you know there鈥檚 just something addictive about a thriller set in the Australian Outback, something about the vivid landmarks, the heat, the possibility of poisonous animals and the back packing travellers, I鈥檇 personally love to travel to Australia but the thought of the giant spiders deters me 馃槀
鈥淭his stays between us鈥� divides its attention between two main characters, one from a past timeline who we know is currently deceased, and one in present day who is slowly unwinding the events of the past as its colliding with her present day.
Present day Claire finds herself having to return to Australia many years after studying abroad. The original purpose for the trip is a school reunion which quickly dissolves into a police investigation after Phoebes remains are found.
Although it seems to inform you of what happened at the beginning of the book we soon learn that the narrator is in fact unreliable leaving a few twists in store for the reader.
If you want to get a jump start on your summer reads and feel some sunshine whilst it鈥檚 cold out then this is a great book to ease you into a warmer climate.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Sara Ochs for the earc!
Publish date: July 15th 2025
鈥淭his stays between us鈥� divides its attention between two main characters, one from a past timeline who we know is currently deceased, and one in present day who is slowly unwinding the events of the past as its colliding with her present day.
Present day Claire finds herself having to return to Australia many years after studying abroad. The original purpose for the trip is a school reunion which quickly dissolves into a police investigation after Phoebes remains are found.
Although it seems to inform you of what happened at the beginning of the book we soon learn that the narrator is in fact unreliable leaving a few twists in store for the reader.
If you want to get a jump start on your summer reads and feel some sunshine whilst it鈥檚 cold out then this is a great book to ease you into a warmer climate.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Sara Ochs for the earc!
Publish date: July 15th 2025
April 22, 2025
I was attracted to the idea of a sun-soaked vacation thriller, which seems to be this author's specialty, set at a short study abroad program in Australia with a wild group of friends with murder in the potent mix of sex and substance abuse. Unfortunately the writing just really missed the mark for me.
I was prepared for toxic, unlikable characters and alcohol-fuelled debauchery, but I found the friends to be shallow and not very well developed. I never saw the chemistry between their friendships or romantic entanglements and they all seemed to actively dislike each other, which made it hard for me to stay interested in them as characters.
The writing style was also kind of bland to me.
As a thriller I found it boring and predictable. It was easy to read in an afternoon but it was kind of a slog to get through. Alas this one was just not for me. This has received many other great reviews however. So it could just be a me thing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was prepared for toxic, unlikable characters and alcohol-fuelled debauchery, but I found the friends to be shallow and not very well developed. I never saw the chemistry between their friendships or romantic entanglements and they all seemed to actively dislike each other, which made it hard for me to stay interested in them as characters.
The writing style was also kind of bland to me.
As a thriller I found it boring and predictable. It was easy to read in an afternoon but it was kind of a slog to get through. Alas this one was just not for me. This has received many other great reviews however. So it could just be a me thing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 20, 2025
This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs
Rating: 猸愶笍 猸愶笍 猸愶笍
3 stars
As is the way with me, the synopsis drew me in. A small group of college students winds up in Australia for a short study abroad program. The program ends with one student dead and one missing. Ten years later the body of the missing student is found and those left of the group travel back to Australia to aide the authorities with their investigation by completing interviews. As the investigation unfolds we find that everyone is harboring secrets.
There are a slew of characters in this story but it fluctuates between the POV鈥檚 of Phoebe (10 years ago,) and Claire ( present day.) Through the story telling it becomes clear that each student on the trip found themselves participating in the program for deeply personal reasons. These are young twenty something kids so the pettiness and drama run strong. I hate to say this but I found every one of the main characters insufferable (with the exception of maybe Tomas but he didn鈥檛 really play a big part.)
The majority of the book is a slow reveal of secrets that are intended to keep you circling around the characters trying to figure out who the culprit is. Like the author wants you to be convinced that you know who it is, only to have you change your mind with the next chapter reveal. Except it didn鈥檛 work like that for me. The secrets and the character responses to events and situations were predictable. I often found myself rolling my eyes. Learning who the murderer was felt rushed through and was anticlimactic. At the end, each characters story time of what they spent the last ten years doing and how they were going to move forward was kind of boring, an info dump if you will.
That big reveal at the very end was sinister but not surprising at all.
Overall, it鈥檚 not a terrible book. It just didn鈥檛 feel well executed. It wasn鈥檛 riveting to me, less psychological thriller and more corny鈥ystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Rating: 猸愶笍 猸愶笍 猸愶笍
3 stars
As is the way with me, the synopsis drew me in. A small group of college students winds up in Australia for a short study abroad program. The program ends with one student dead and one missing. Ten years later the body of the missing student is found and those left of the group travel back to Australia to aide the authorities with their investigation by completing interviews. As the investigation unfolds we find that everyone is harboring secrets.
There are a slew of characters in this story but it fluctuates between the POV鈥檚 of Phoebe (10 years ago,) and Claire ( present day.) Through the story telling it becomes clear that each student on the trip found themselves participating in the program for deeply personal reasons. These are young twenty something kids so the pettiness and drama run strong. I hate to say this but I found every one of the main characters insufferable (with the exception of maybe Tomas but he didn鈥檛 really play a big part.)
The majority of the book is a slow reveal of secrets that are intended to keep you circling around the characters trying to figure out who the culprit is. Like the author wants you to be convinced that you know who it is, only to have you change your mind with the next chapter reveal. Except it didn鈥檛 work like that for me. The secrets and the character responses to events and situations were predictable. I often found myself rolling my eyes. Learning who the murderer was felt rushed through and was anticlimactic. At the end, each characters story time of what they spent the last ten years doing and how they were going to move forward was kind of boring, an info dump if you will.
That big reveal at the very end was sinister but not surprising at all.
Overall, it鈥檚 not a terrible book. It just didn鈥檛 feel well executed. It wasn鈥檛 riveting to me, less psychological thriller and more corny鈥ystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 26, 2025
Sara Ochs once again does a great job transporting you to your destination, this time the Australian outback. The tension and suspense is high throughout. There wasn't anything super memorable in here for me but I had fun reading it.
I'm just getting really tired of the "you caught me, now let me monologue and conveniently spell out all of the villainy things I did" trope. Maybe I just read too many mysteries.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC.
I'm just getting really tired of the "you caught me, now let me monologue and conveniently spell out all of the villainy things I did" trope. Maybe I just read too many mysteries.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC.
March 29, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As with The Resort, Ochs has created a wonderfully immersive experience. Australia was vividly described and made such a great backdrop to the story. There's a desolation and desperation to both place and people. A group of students longing to escape and reinvent, but unintentionally (or maybe international) inviting danger.
Claire has been certain for the last ten years that she was the one who killed Phoebe. But when Phoebe's body is found and more information comes out during the investigation, Claire isn't so sure of her guilt anymore. But she is sure she can no longer trust any of her old friends. Because one of them has to be the guilty party.
As with The Resort, Ochs has created a wonderfully immersive experience. Australia was vividly described and made such a great backdrop to the story. There's a desolation and desperation to both place and people. A group of students longing to escape and reinvent, but unintentionally (or maybe international) inviting danger.
Claire has been certain for the last ten years that she was the one who killed Phoebe. But when Phoebe's body is found and more information comes out during the investigation, Claire isn't so sure of her guilt anymore. But she is sure she can no longer trust any of her old friends. Because one of them has to be the guilty party.
March 18, 2025
Yeeees! It鈥檚 like you鈥檙e writing thrillers based on my personal preferences, Sara! More than one pov, a strong sense of place (bonus for it being places I haven鈥檛 been but would love to go), intertwining timelines, messy friend groups鈥� i can go on!! Will recommend this to anyone looking for a great (and nailbite inducing) read this summer!
(Sorry not sorry for too many exclamation points)
(Sorry not sorry for too many exclamation points)
May 15, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was pretty underwhelming. Sometimes it works when you know who the murderer is right off the bat, and sometimes it doesn't. While there is drama and background that you learn about the "friend" group and what occurred to lead up to the body being found, I found it quite dull and really just nonsense drama with no kind of twist whatsoever. The author's first book was a decent read for me, but this one just falls short. Not sure if I will read anything else by her.
This was pretty underwhelming. Sometimes it works when you know who the murderer is right off the bat, and sometimes it doesn't. While there is drama and background that you learn about the "friend" group and what occurred to lead up to the body being found, I found it quite dull and really just nonsense drama with no kind of twist whatsoever. The author's first book was a decent read for me, but this one just falls short. Not sure if I will read anything else by her.
March 25, 2025
Another character dynamic deep dive from this great author. I loved this.
A group of young college students on an Australian abroad program are having the time of their life when the trip ends with one of them going missing. Now, it is 10 years later and the group reconnects鈥� because police have found their friend鈥檚 body.
Now, each of them back in Australia, they must confront what happened to Phoebe all those years ago. With twists and turns, I had a great time unraveling the truth. I enjoyed the differences between the characters in their college years - who they were as people, to who they become in the present.
This one kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved it.
A group of young college students on an Australian abroad program are having the time of their life when the trip ends with one of them going missing. Now, it is 10 years later and the group reconnects鈥� because police have found their friend鈥檚 body.
Now, each of them back in Australia, they must confront what happened to Phoebe all those years ago. With twists and turns, I had a great time unraveling the truth. I enjoyed the differences between the characters in their college years - who they were as people, to who they become in the present.
This one kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved it.
March 28, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC of 'This Stays Between Us' by Sara Ochs - expected release date of 07/15/2025
ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ochs books have a White Lotus kinda feel to them, but for a younger audience. This one was okay. Her description of the Aussie setting was great, I felt like I was there. Other than that, the storyline just felt eh. I didn't like any of the characters and the few she went into deep detail on were actually pretty intolerable. Throwing in a relationship out of the blue between Phoebe and Ellery was not necessary at all, like, why!? There were no hints to any intimacy between them anywhere in the book until the end. Also, the fact that there was an accidental death before the murder, I don't think that really needed to happen. Especially since it was just glossed over and life went on for the characters like normal after it. And for Josh to be the main bad guy/ killer, that was so underwhelming, we barely knew anything about him until the end, too. A lot was promised, hinted at, then at the end it felt rushed and thrown haphazardly together. But it all tied up, no loose ends by the finish.
ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ochs books have a White Lotus kinda feel to them, but for a younger audience. This one was okay. Her description of the Aussie setting was great, I felt like I was there. Other than that, the storyline just felt eh. I didn't like any of the characters and the few she went into deep detail on were actually pretty intolerable. Throwing in a relationship out of the blue between Phoebe and Ellery was not necessary at all, like, why!? There were no hints to any intimacy between them anywhere in the book until the end. Also, the fact that there was an accidental death before the murder, I don't think that really needed to happen. Especially since it was just glossed over and life went on for the characters like normal after it. And for Josh to be the main bad guy/ killer, that was so underwhelming, we barely knew anything about him until the end, too. A lot was promised, hinted at, then at the end it felt rushed and thrown haphazardly together. But it all tied up, no loose ends by the finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2025
This stays between us by Sarah Ochs
I was scooped into the beginning but then this books fizzled for me. It was told from the POV of two friend past and present but it had multiple characters that made it somewhat confusing. The main best friends were Phoebe and Claire. Claire鈥檚 POV was as present view and Phoebe was past. They went to Australia for a study program abroad as college students. The other POV are the students in the program.
So 10 years later they find remains Freon the incident that happened, one student missing and one dead. They all go back to Australia to aide in the investigation.
The majority of the book talks about is a slow trickle of information that has you thinking you know who did it, when in reality you are sitting there watching a merry go round until the end and the info dump at the end. I鈥檓 was not loving this book. The situations seemed a little peculiar and not interesting. I loved this authors first book.
Above all it was entertaining and I think you have to be in the mood for this more of a mystery less thrilling book.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark
I was scooped into the beginning but then this books fizzled for me. It was told from the POV of two friend past and present but it had multiple characters that made it somewhat confusing. The main best friends were Phoebe and Claire. Claire鈥檚 POV was as present view and Phoebe was past. They went to Australia for a study program abroad as college students. The other POV are the students in the program.
So 10 years later they find remains Freon the incident that happened, one student missing and one dead. They all go back to Australia to aide in the investigation.
The majority of the book talks about is a slow trickle of information that has you thinking you know who did it, when in reality you are sitting there watching a merry go round until the end and the info dump at the end. I鈥檓 was not loving this book. The situations seemed a little peculiar and not interesting. I loved this authors first book.
Above all it was entertaining and I think you have to be in the mood for this more of a mystery less thrilling book.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark
February 11, 2025
First things first, thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC!
I do loves destination thrillers like this! Which is why I did decide to give Sara Ochs another chance after having some sort of love-hate relationship with the Dive! And I am glad I did. Guess I will never be able to go to Australia myself, so living my travel dreams through a good thriller while the weather is so awful here these days is just what I needed....
The story is told from the POV of both Claire and Phoebe. We learn pretty quickly that Phoebe's remains has been found - aka she is dead - and that Claire had something to do with it.... but what and why is on us readers to figure out while following the story of the two women in both the past and the present.
I'm glad I got a chance to read this, and will for sure also give future stories of Sara Ochs a try after this.
I do loves destination thrillers like this! Which is why I did decide to give Sara Ochs another chance after having some sort of love-hate relationship with the Dive! And I am glad I did. Guess I will never be able to go to Australia myself, so living my travel dreams through a good thriller while the weather is so awful here these days is just what I needed....
The story is told from the POV of both Claire and Phoebe. We learn pretty quickly that Phoebe's remains has been found - aka she is dead - and that Claire had something to do with it.... but what and why is on us readers to figure out while following the story of the two women in both the past and the present.
I'm glad I got a chance to read this, and will for sure also give future stories of Sara Ochs a try after this.
March 25, 2025
I was hooked by the premise - a group of students doing study abtoad in Australia. One disappears and 10 years later the group reunites back in Australia from all over (coincidentally the richest one now lives in Australia and has space for everyone in his giant waterfront mansion). Everyone has secrets. Phoebe thought she was responsible but what really happened?
Unfortunately this was boring. Most of the characters were unlikeable. The reveal at the end is a big tell all which annoys me if not done well, which this wasn鈥檛. This was a slog and just felt meh.
The writing itself wasn鈥檛 bad, just lots of hinting at secrets without revealing them. This just wasn鈥檛 for me. Lots of great reviews from people who enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately this was boring. Most of the characters were unlikeable. The reveal at the end is a big tell all which annoys me if not done well, which this wasn鈥檛. This was a slog and just felt meh.
The writing itself wasn鈥檛 bad, just lots of hinting at secrets without revealing them. This just wasn鈥檛 for me. Lots of great reviews from people who enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2025
Wow鈥攚hat an amazing thriller! I absolutely loved this book. The dual timeline was brilliantly executed, seamlessly switching between present-day (Claire鈥檚 POV) and the past leading up to the murder (Phoebe鈥檚 POV). This structure added so much depth, allowing us to truly get to know Phoebe鈥攅ven though she was already dead in the present-day sections. It made the thriller feel multidimensional and kept me constantly guessing.
I鈥檒l admit, when the killer was initially revealed, I felt a bit disappointed. But then鈥攂oom鈥攖he final twist at the end completely changed that for me. It was such a shocking and satisfying moment that tied everything together in the best way.
If you love suspenseful, cleverly plotted thrillers, I absolutely recommend This Stays Between Us!
I鈥檒l admit, when the killer was initially revealed, I felt a bit disappointed. But then鈥攂oom鈥攖he final twist at the end completely changed that for me. It was such a shocking and satisfying moment that tied everything together in the best way.
If you love suspenseful, cleverly plotted thrillers, I absolutely recommend This Stays Between Us!
April 4, 2025
Wow, what a ride! This Stays Between Us was a page turner right from the very first line. It was fast-paced and twisty and, just when I thought I had it figured out, it took a turn that kept me on my toes.
The characters were so well developed and multi-layered, adding to the suspenseful nature of the book. I really loved the dual timeline between Claire and Phoebe which also added additional depth to the story.
If you're looking for a book you can devour in 24 hours, this is it! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for a review.
The characters were so well developed and multi-layered, adding to the suspenseful nature of the book. I really loved the dual timeline between Claire and Phoebe which also added additional depth to the story.
If you're looking for a book you can devour in 24 hours, this is it! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for a review.
February 8, 2025
This book transported me on an outback adventure from the very beginning! A "who done it" mystery that takes place in Australia 10 years ago & present tense. A group of friends reuniting to help solve the murder of their friend, but who can you trust? Who isn't whom they appear to be? This thriller kept me interested the whole way through! Thank you for the ARC Netgalley & Sourcebooks Landmark!
March 16, 2025
The last page 馃槺
February 7, 2025
My sincere thanks to NetGalley, Sara Ochs and The Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As much as I hate writing negative reviews, I probably hate writing lukewarm ones even more. But sadly that would be exactly the case here. 鈥淭his Stays Between Us鈥� captured me at first thanks to the presence of one of my favourite tropes: reunion of school friends. In this case, a group of students from all around the world is spending a month in Australia. It should be mostly party time for them, but soon they are confronted with a tragedy, and another one is already lurking in the shadows. On the last day of the course a student named Phoebe goes missing... and years later a body is found. The former friends are reunited in Australia, but almost every one of them is protecting a secret, especially Claire, Phoebe's roommate.
The sad thing about this book 鈥� and my main complaint, hence the lukewarm review 鈥� is its painful predictability. I was able to guess correctly not only major twists, but also everything in between, how people will react to something, what will they say and so on. It was tiresome, disappointing, not to mention boring. And boredom is not something I like to associate with thrillers. Plus Claire, the protagonist, was infuriatingly dumb and gullible. Surely not a heroine for a reader to identify with.
Overall it's an OK book, that's all 鈥� no more, no less.
#ThisStaysBetweenUs #NetGalley
As much as I hate writing negative reviews, I probably hate writing lukewarm ones even more. But sadly that would be exactly the case here. 鈥淭his Stays Between Us鈥� captured me at first thanks to the presence of one of my favourite tropes: reunion of school friends. In this case, a group of students from all around the world is spending a month in Australia. It should be mostly party time for them, but soon they are confronted with a tragedy, and another one is already lurking in the shadows. On the last day of the course a student named Phoebe goes missing... and years later a body is found. The former friends are reunited in Australia, but almost every one of them is protecting a secret, especially Claire, Phoebe's roommate.
The sad thing about this book 鈥� and my main complaint, hence the lukewarm review 鈥� is its painful predictability. I was able to guess correctly not only major twists, but also everything in between, how people will react to something, what will they say and so on. It was tiresome, disappointing, not to mention boring. And boredom is not something I like to associate with thrillers. Plus Claire, the protagonist, was infuriatingly dumb and gullible. Surely not a heroine for a reader to identify with.
Overall it's an OK book, that's all 鈥� no more, no less.
#ThisStaysBetweenUs #NetGalley
April 8, 2025
3.5 rounded up
Slow start made it kind of hard to get into.
The characters were just okay. Tomas was my favorite and I didn鈥檛 enjoy his story. The rest felt flat and not like real people but rather npcs for the story.
The mystery pulled me in though. I wanted to know who did what and WHY. It kept me going until the very end.
#netgalley #arc
Slow start made it kind of hard to get into.
The characters were just okay. Tomas was my favorite and I didn鈥檛 enjoy his story. The rest felt flat and not like real people but rather npcs for the story.
The mystery pulled me in though. I wanted to know who did what and WHY. It kept me going until the very end.
#netgalley #arc
April 1, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down
I loved the book鈥檚 premise with a group of friends coming back together years later and piecing together the mystery of what happened during their time in university. The Australian Outback was also such a unique book setting. The characters were mostly unlikable, which isn鈥檛 a bad thing. But they were forgettable, and I was mixed up with who was who during the beginning of the book.
There were a lot of mini twists throughout the book that kept my interest along the way. I was able to predict most of them, including the big reveal. But some were definitely unexpected! It kept the pace steady throughout the book with the timing of the reveals.
Overall, it鈥檚 a solid thriller that鈥檚 easy to read, has lots of twists, and a fun vacation-y setting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced reader copy of this book.
I loved the book鈥檚 premise with a group of friends coming back together years later and piecing together the mystery of what happened during their time in university. The Australian Outback was also such a unique book setting. The characters were mostly unlikable, which isn鈥檛 a bad thing. But they were forgettable, and I was mixed up with who was who during the beginning of the book.
There were a lot of mini twists throughout the book that kept my interest along the way. I was able to predict most of them, including the big reveal. But some were definitely unexpected! It kept the pace steady throughout the book with the timing of the reveals.
Overall, it鈥檚 a solid thriller that鈥檚 easy to read, has lots of twists, and a fun vacation-y setting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced reader copy of this book.
July 14, 2024
can鈥檛 wait for the next one!
March 9, 2025
4.5 stars!
Another great thriller from Sara Ochs! This one set in Australia (a place I鈥檝e always wanted to visit!) with a murder 10 years ago, several suspects, and twists at every turn. I loved the short chapters and alternating POVs and timelines. Kept me flipping the pages and guessing what would happen next.
And the very last chapter鈥oooh man. Loved it!
Thank you Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Another great thriller from Sara Ochs! This one set in Australia (a place I鈥檝e always wanted to visit!) with a murder 10 years ago, several suspects, and twists at every turn. I loved the short chapters and alternating POVs and timelines. Kept me flipping the pages and guessing what would happen next.
And the very last chapter鈥oooh man. Loved it!
Thank you Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 7, 2025
3.5 stars
This Stays Between Us by Sarah Ochs is a thriller that forces a group of friends who met abroad to face their pasts and the death that occurred of one of their group members a decade before.
The tension of the story telling is amped up, not only by the group of friends trying to discover who really killed their friend Phoebe all those years ago 鈥� a killer that the police believe to be one of them 鈥� but also by the fact that the past is being told alongside the present from Phoebe鈥檚 point of view throughout the course of the book. This really added to the story because the reader is able to see the events leading up to her death play out in real time, showing those who might have had cause to kill Phoebe in the moment and allowing the reader to draw conclusions from the events as they took place. But at the same time, they get to see the investigation playing out in the present and the conclusions that the group of friends leap to in trying to uncover the truth from a fraught time in their life, when each of them had reason to hate Phoebe at the time.
There is also this air of mystery surrounding another member of their group, who appears in the past storyline but is only mentioned at by name and hinted at as far as what happened to him for an extended part of the book. This left me wanting to know what exactly had happened to Tomas and why the friends seem so reluctant to talk about it.
The characters themselves weren鈥檛 the most likeable which made it hard to connect to them as a reader. They all just seemed to be intent on being secretive for the sake of making them suspicious for the plot and were flawed without any real redeeming qualities. They went from unbearable young adults who only cared about partying, getting drunk, and hooking up with the person they wanted 鈥� heaven forbid anyone wanted the same person because REVENGE. Meanwhile in the present they were just kind of meh, suddenly having it all together but not really any more likeable. Even Claire, whose point of view the present storyline is being told from isn鈥檛 the most endearing character as she outright opens the book believing she is Phoebe鈥檚 murderer, and then suddenly becomes her biggest advocator in trying to find the true culprit to clear herself. Phoebe鈥檚 point of view also makes it hard to feel bad knowing her story can only end in death because she comes across as self-absorbed and good at nothing but making enemies.
Despite all this I did end up quite enjoying the story and it did keep me invested in finding the answers until the end. I found some aspects of the story and how information was presented or found as far as solving the mystery to be a bit farfetched and a stretch, but the story itself kept me invested in getting answers and I kept going back and forth with my suspicions on what really happened which made for a really quick and interesting read. It was a good book and I did blast through it pretty quickly so still recommend.
This Stays Between Us by Sarah Ochs is a thriller that forces a group of friends who met abroad to face their pasts and the death that occurred of one of their group members a decade before.
The tension of the story telling is amped up, not only by the group of friends trying to discover who really killed their friend Phoebe all those years ago 鈥� a killer that the police believe to be one of them 鈥� but also by the fact that the past is being told alongside the present from Phoebe鈥檚 point of view throughout the course of the book. This really added to the story because the reader is able to see the events leading up to her death play out in real time, showing those who might have had cause to kill Phoebe in the moment and allowing the reader to draw conclusions from the events as they took place. But at the same time, they get to see the investigation playing out in the present and the conclusions that the group of friends leap to in trying to uncover the truth from a fraught time in their life, when each of them had reason to hate Phoebe at the time.
There is also this air of mystery surrounding another member of their group, who appears in the past storyline but is only mentioned at by name and hinted at as far as what happened to him for an extended part of the book. This left me wanting to know what exactly had happened to Tomas and why the friends seem so reluctant to talk about it.
The characters themselves weren鈥檛 the most likeable which made it hard to connect to them as a reader. They all just seemed to be intent on being secretive for the sake of making them suspicious for the plot and were flawed without any real redeeming qualities. They went from unbearable young adults who only cared about partying, getting drunk, and hooking up with the person they wanted 鈥� heaven forbid anyone wanted the same person because REVENGE. Meanwhile in the present they were just kind of meh, suddenly having it all together but not really any more likeable. Even Claire, whose point of view the present storyline is being told from isn鈥檛 the most endearing character as she outright opens the book believing she is Phoebe鈥檚 murderer, and then suddenly becomes her biggest advocator in trying to find the true culprit to clear herself. Phoebe鈥檚 point of view also makes it hard to feel bad knowing her story can only end in death because she comes across as self-absorbed and good at nothing but making enemies.
Despite all this I did end up quite enjoying the story and it did keep me invested in finding the answers until the end. I found some aspects of the story and how information was presented or found as far as solving the mystery to be a bit farfetched and a stretch, but the story itself kept me invested in getting answers and I kept going back and forth with my suspicions on what really happened which made for a really quick and interesting read. It was a good book and I did blast through it pretty quickly so still recommend.
February 7, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Sara Ochs delivers an atmospheric and suspenseful thriller with 鈥淭his Stays Between Us,鈥� a gripping story of secrets and the deadly consequences of a past that won鈥檛 stay buried. Set against the hauntingly vivid backdrop of the Australian Outback, the book brings together two timelines鈥擟laire鈥檚 present-day search for the truth and Phoebe鈥檚 past experiences leading up to her death鈥攕lowly unraveling a mystery packed with tension and unexpected twists.
The book follows Claire, one of several former study abroad students who return to Australia after the remains of their long-missing friend, Phoebe, are discovered. From the start, Claire admits to playing a role in Phoebe鈥檚 death, making her an unreliable narrator whose perspective keeps the reader questioning what really happened that fateful night. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Claire wasn鈥檛 the only one with secrets. Each member of the group is a potential suspect, and as more people start to die, the stakes skyrocket. Was someone seeking revenge, or was the past being buried鈥攍iterally?
Ochs skillfully balances the dual timelines, using Phoebe鈥檚 flashbacks to provide crucial insights into the toxic relationships, betrayals, and personal struggles that shaped the group鈥檚 dynamic. Phoebe, dealing with deep-seated trauma, emerges as one of the most complex characters, while Claire, though sometimes overshadowed by the others, has hidden depths that are fully revealed in a mind-blowing epilogue, which some people may or may not like. Clever clues and red herrings are scattered throughout, keeping you engaged and second-guessing every character鈥檚 motives.
The Australian setting plays a key role in the book鈥檚 immersive atmosphere. Ochs鈥檚 detailed descriptions of the Outback add to the sense of isolation and foreboding, making the environment feel as dangerous as the characters themselves. The pacing is well-crafted, with slow-burning suspense that escalates into a fast-paced, high-stakes conclusion.
While the book鈥檚 core mystery is compelling, its themes of friendship and trauma add emotional weight to the story. Every character has something to hide, and as secrets come to light, the true nature of their relationships is exposed. The final twists, especially in the epilogue, will leave you reeling, making for a truly satisfying鈥攁nd chilling鈥攅nding.
Perfect for fans of locked-room mysteries and psychological thrillers, 鈥淭his Stays Between Us鈥� is an addictive, atmospheric read that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Highly recommended for anyone who loves dark secrets, unreliable narrators, and thrillers packed with tension and shocking reveals.
Sara Ochs delivers an atmospheric and suspenseful thriller with 鈥淭his Stays Between Us,鈥� a gripping story of secrets and the deadly consequences of a past that won鈥檛 stay buried. Set against the hauntingly vivid backdrop of the Australian Outback, the book brings together two timelines鈥擟laire鈥檚 present-day search for the truth and Phoebe鈥檚 past experiences leading up to her death鈥攕lowly unraveling a mystery packed with tension and unexpected twists.
The book follows Claire, one of several former study abroad students who return to Australia after the remains of their long-missing friend, Phoebe, are discovered. From the start, Claire admits to playing a role in Phoebe鈥檚 death, making her an unreliable narrator whose perspective keeps the reader questioning what really happened that fateful night. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Claire wasn鈥檛 the only one with secrets. Each member of the group is a potential suspect, and as more people start to die, the stakes skyrocket. Was someone seeking revenge, or was the past being buried鈥攍iterally?
Ochs skillfully balances the dual timelines, using Phoebe鈥檚 flashbacks to provide crucial insights into the toxic relationships, betrayals, and personal struggles that shaped the group鈥檚 dynamic. Phoebe, dealing with deep-seated trauma, emerges as one of the most complex characters, while Claire, though sometimes overshadowed by the others, has hidden depths that are fully revealed in a mind-blowing epilogue, which some people may or may not like. Clever clues and red herrings are scattered throughout, keeping you engaged and second-guessing every character鈥檚 motives.
The Australian setting plays a key role in the book鈥檚 immersive atmosphere. Ochs鈥檚 detailed descriptions of the Outback add to the sense of isolation and foreboding, making the environment feel as dangerous as the characters themselves. The pacing is well-crafted, with slow-burning suspense that escalates into a fast-paced, high-stakes conclusion.
While the book鈥檚 core mystery is compelling, its themes of friendship and trauma add emotional weight to the story. Every character has something to hide, and as secrets come to light, the true nature of their relationships is exposed. The final twists, especially in the epilogue, will leave you reeling, making for a truly satisfying鈥攁nd chilling鈥攅nding.
Perfect for fans of locked-room mysteries and psychological thrillers, 鈥淭his Stays Between Us鈥� is an addictive, atmospheric read that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Highly recommended for anyone who loves dark secrets, unreliable narrators, and thrillers packed with tension and shocking reveals.
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