How We Fall Apart (How We Fall Apart #1) by Katie Zhao Book Review

Title: How We Fall Apart
Author: Katie Zhao
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Release Date: August 3, 2021
Pages: 352

In a YA thriller that is Crazy Rich Asians meets One of Us is Lying, students at an elite prep school are forced to confront their secrets when their ex-best friend turns up dead.

Nancy Luo is shocked when her former best friend, Jamie Ruan, top ranked junior at Sinclair Prep, goes missing, and then is found dead. Nancy is even more shocked when word starts to spread that she and her friends--Krystal, Akil, and Alexander--are the prime suspects, thanks to "The Proctor," someone anonymously incriminating them via the school's social media app.

They all used to be Jamie's closest friends, and she knew each of their deepest, darkest secrets. Now, somehow The Proctor knows them, too. The four must uncover the true killer before The Proctor exposes more than they can bear and costs them more than they can afford, like Nancy's full scholarship. Soon, Nancy suspects that her friends may be keeping secrets from her, too. 

Buy it on Barnes & Noble or Amazon  

My Thoughts

**Thank you so much to Bloomsbury Publishing for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!**

There once were five friends who attended Sinclair Prep but stress, competition, and GPAs as Asian American students tore them apart. Then one of them is found dead, and the remaining four become the primary murder suspects. 

But if there was one thing I'd realize, it was that the past never stayed buried for long. The messiest parts of our pasts, coming back to haunt us, one by one.

Before Jamie died, she was the girl who had everything: money, power, and the valedictorian spot but she wasn't happy. Now that she's dead, Nancy and her three other friends have to find the real killer before they become the next victims.

This fleeting moment was something I would fight to protect. Even if it meant fighting dirty. Even if it meant sacrificing everything. 

Star Rating: ★★★★★ (4.5) ♡

This was one of my most anticipated 2021 releases and it definitely didn't disappoint me! Each character was special in their own way. I didn't like Jamie one bit but at the same time, I pitied her because of what she had to carry on her shoulders. Nancy was okay, but I especially liked her other three friends. 

The only thing that kept me from giving it a 5/5 was the POV the story was told from. Instead of just telling it from Nancy's perspective, I wished to see the story from another character's POV. I was very curious to see others' thoughts on everything that was happening.

Overall, How We Fall Apart was a very intriguing story that I finished in less than a day. It touches on subjects that are hard to talk about especially as Asian American students (I know) but in a way that wasn't stressful for the reader. The ending I didn't see coming and cliffhanger though oh my gosh. I can't wait another year for book two to find out what happens!

About the Author

Katie Zhao is the author of the middle grade fantasy The Dragon Warrior and its sequel, The Fallen Hero. She grew up in Michigan, where there was little for her to do besides bury her nose in a good book or a writing journal. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in English and a minor in political science; she also completed her master's in accounting there. In her spare time, Katie enjoys reading, singing, dancing (badly), and checking out new photo-worthy restaurants. She now lives in Brooklyn, New York.