Kacey is adjusting to her new life in a different city with a father she barely knows, a stepmother, stepbrother, and stepsister. Thankfully, she's quickly welcomed into Bailey and Jade's friendship, two girls who like fun and excitement. Broken Falls is slowly turning into a place she can call home. Until suddenly, Bailey goes to a party and doesn't come home. A party Kacey wasn't included in, even though it's the biggest of the year. As clues pile up, no one will be left unchanged.

Kara Thomas proved masterfully at creating a story meant to be devoured in THE DARKEST CORNERS, and her latest, LITTLE MONSTERS, is no exception. The mystery is layered and intense. Even though some of the mystery can be figured out, there are quick and sudden twists that leave the full picture hard to grasp until all the pieces are finally given. The narrative is immediately engaging, and the most beautiful part of this story is the female relationships at the center. From the good bonds to the destructive to the toxic and to the loving, a wide range of angles is explored within the relationships.

I particularly enjoy the dynamic between Kacey and her stepfamily. Though the story is set after she has started to settle in, the reader still gets flashbacks and mentions of the initial awkwardness and struggle when she first arrives. It feels extremely realistic, and if you're the kind of reader who enjoys 'chosen family' narratives, I highly recommend this one.

Masterfully nuanced characters, heart-pounding mystery, and important explorations of female relationships combine in LITTLE MONSTERS, an incredible thriller from Kara Thomas.