Never Coming Home by Kate Williams
Published by Delacorte Press on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 0593304861
Pages: 320
Genres: Suspense, Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Ten young adult influencers head to Unknown Island as the first group of people hand-selected to experience the trip of a lifetime. The 10 are expecting all inclusive luxury and an opportunity to mingle with other elites, maybe even a chance to build their brand but what they find instead is no Wi-Fi, shabby accommodations, and murder. The influencers all share a dark secret and someone on the island is out for retribution. The athlete, the beauty blogger, the DJ, the environmentalist? No one is safe. No one is going home.

Lies and secrets and murder are all the rage right now as the YA thriller genre continues to grow. While there is nothing groundbreaking happening here, Never Coming Home will still be a fun read for teens looking for something similar to a Karen McManus book or other related fare. The character development is shallow and the tech mentions will date the book quickly but that is forgivable with books such as this. Light gore, the dark side of social media, and the curiosity of who is behind Unknown Island will no doubt draw readers in. Add to teen collections where this genre is popular. Recommended for 8th grade and up.

Reviewed by Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School