Watch Us Crack's main draw is most definitely its mystery--I was so intrigued that I read it in one sitting! While I didn't particularly feel one way or the other for the book's dual POV characters--Sadie and Cason--I <i>did</i> want to find out who was framing them (or if they were even being framed at all!).

I'm still not entirely sure what to think about the ending. I definitely didn't see it coming! I kinda wish there had been more hints as to who the culprit was, as I don't think there was really enough to figure everything out. Nevertheless I think I'll have to re-read before I decide how ultimately feel about it!

In the end, it was a solid mystery, and though there were aspects I felt were rushed and some characters I felt dragged the story down (i.e. the TikTok true crime influencer), I wouldn't mind re-reading!

This is an emotionally charged Romeo-Juliet type of romance between two kids from rival schools. It is riveting and engaging. It must be kept in mind that this is a high school setting and highly focused on the hockey rivalry with a lack of serious character development. I enjoyed the read, though it does not top my favourites for the year.

Thank you Netgalley and Storytide for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Gabriella Lepore’s “Watch Us Crack” is a gripping YA thriller that is centered around a slow-burning murder mystery, which is complicated by high school drama and forbidden romance. With its Romeo and Juliet-style premise set against the backdrop of a long-standing rivalry between two schools and, more specifically, their hockey teams the book offers a suspenseful and emotionally charged story that will keep you hooked.

At the center are Sadie and Cason, two teens who reconnect after years apart and begin a secret romance despite attending enemy schools. Their budding relationship is complicated not only by the social fallout of crossing school lines but also by a murder investigation that pulls them both into the spotlight. When a body turns up near Sadie’s house—at a train station they both visited the night before—suspicion quickly falls on the pair, leaving readers questioning their innocence and motives.

Lepore crafts the mystery with clever pacing and a mix of narrative tools, including police interviews, podcast transcripts, and text messages. These multimedia elements add a modern, immersive edge to the story, drawing you deeper into the investigation and the messy world of teenage secrets as you consider different perspectives around the mystery, gaining clues and suspects with each new addition to the story. While some twists are more surprising than others, the final reveal is both shocking and satisfying, with one last twist that’s subtly foreshadowed but still impactful.

However, the book isn’t without its flaws. The high school drama, particularly the intense fixation on hockey, can feel over-the-top at times, and while the rivalry is realistic in its dramatization of teenage stakes, it occasionally overshadows deeper character development. Sadie and Cason's romance, though sweet and slow-burn in nature, feels slightly underdeveloped given its one-month timeline. More emotional groundwork could have enriched their connection and heightened the stakes of their secrecy.

Another element that felt slightly underutilized was a subplot involving a hit-and-run, which plays a critical role in the final twist but is sparsely developed earlier in the story. With more emphasis, this plotline could have added a compelling layer to the mystery.

Still, “Watch Us Crack” delivers where it counts. It’s fast-paced, emotionally engaging, and packed with enough suspense and twists to satisfy fans of YA thrillers. For those who enjoy secrets, shifting alliances, and the adrenaline rush of a good whodunit, this book is a compelling choice.

Gabriella Lepore’s Watch Us Crack offers a compelling blend of high school romance and a compelling murder mystery that kept me turning the pages. Sadie and Cason's history together adds depth to their connection, and the secret romance amidst fierce school rivalries creates a tense atmosphere that’s easy to get caught up in. The story’s pace is lively, and I appreciated how it balances the budding relationship with the darker threads of suspicion surrounding the murder. Lilting with emotional stakes and some gripping moments, the book drew me in enough to want to see how everything unfolds. However, at times the plot felt a bit predictable, and I wanted more complexity in the characters’ development—some of their decisions seemed a bit rushed or clichéd. Nonetheless, Lepore’s writing kept me engaged, and I enjoyed the suspenseful ride from start to finish. It’s a solid read for those who love youthful intrigue with a dash of danger.

Thank you Storytide and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This was so good I finished it in less than a day! Sadie and Cason knew each other in middle school and have begun to get reacquainted. The only problem is that they go to rival schools. Cason plays hockey and Sadie’s best friend’s boyfriend, Kai, is on her schools hockey team. Right now Kai and Quinn are also on the outs and Sadie is working hard to be there for her friend. To make things worse a month ago the two hockey teams got in a huge fight and Kai and Cason were at the center of it. So it’s safer if their relationship stays a secret. But then a body turns up at the train station a cross from Sadie’s house. A train station that her, Cason, Quinn, and Kai were all at the night before. Now Cason and Sadie are both suspects in a murder case. And they both have motive. In order to prove their innocence they may have to bring their relationship out into the open. How will their friends feel about them dating? Can they figure out whodunnit? Can they even trust each other? A fast paced thriller that had me hooked! I loved the mix of secret relationship with a whodunnit! I also liked the inclusion of the texts, interviews, tiktoks! It added to the intrigue and kept me guessing! Twists right up until the end make Gabriella Lepore’s Watch Us Crack a must read mystery!

Omg! I could not stop reading this book. It just had me in a trance. This book perfectly balances the points of view along with the events unfolding. Someone is dead and the question is who killed them. I thought I had an idea but this book left me completely shocked! Sadie and Cason are strong characters and I love their connection. The book also shows messages related to the story, interviews, and even TikTok’s. It’s phenomenal. This is probably one of the best YA mystery books I’ve read in sooo long. The reveal and ending had me shook! Sign me up for more from this author!

Gabriella Lepore absolutely nails it with “Let us Crack”. This book had me hooked right away. The chapters are the perfect length and kept me wanting to read more and more. The suspense was absolutely fantastic and everything a thriller should be. Without giving anything away, the twist absolutely blew me away!