The Counselors by Jessica Goodman | Audiobook Review

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"Dark secrets? Summer camp setting? Complex teen girls? Murder? Count me in." —Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces

* A New York Times bestseller * A USA TODAY bestseller * An Indie Bestseller *

From New York Times bestselling author Jessica Goodman comes a twisty mystery about three best friends, one elite summer camp, and the dark secrets that lead to a body in the lake.

Summer can’t get here soon enough; Goldie and her camp friends—who know her better than anyone else—will finally be counselors.

But Goldie’s been keeping a terrible secret. And so are her best friends. When a teen turns up dead one night, Goldie knows that one of her best friends was at the scene of the crime and is lying about her whereabouts. With danger lurking, asking questions offers no answers, only cracking bonds of lifelong friendship and betrayals deeper than Goldie ever imagined.

“[A] delicious and layered thrill ride.” —Marie Claire

Why Did I Listen To The Counselors by Jessica Goodman?

What better to get pumped for summer reading than by picking up a thriller murder mystery set at summer camp? The Counselors by Jessica Goodman had fit the bill. Goodman has some interesting young adult books about privilege and murder, so I like the niche that she has made for herself. I went with the audiobook version because I have been on a roll of listening to audiobook thrillers lately.

What’s The Story Here?

The Counselors is about Goldie Easton who has only ever felt that she belongs at Camp Alpine Lake. Typically, campers at Alpine Lake pay a very hefty fee to go there. In fact, there is even a test to get into the camp. It is a camp populated by campers who are very privileged. Goldie is not. She’s what you would call a townie. However, she gets to go to the camp because her parents both work there. Over the years, she’s formed very close bonds with two of the girls. She’s looking forward to this year because she will be a lifeguard. Only, her life kind of fell apart before the summer and the town that she lives in does not like her or the camp. Oh, and her ex boyfriend is found dead at the lake. They aren’t sure if the cause of death was accidental or murder. So, the story is about to get quite twisty.

How Did I Like The Counselors?

The Counselors was fun for what it was. I love the setting – nothing better than summer camp. Also, the intersection of privilege with how Goldie is not. I do think this book will not stick with me for any length of time. However, I wasn’t reading it expecting my life to change or my worldview to be different. Instead, I read it for entertainment and I got entertainment. Read this book when you are camping particularly if you are interested in something twisty.

How’s The Narration?

Phoebe Strole narrates the audiobook of Goodman’s The Counselors. If you’ve listened to Strole before, you know that she does YA very well. So, she was exactly what I expected, having listened to many of her previous narrations. I have no complaints. In fact, I would say this is one to add to your summer audiobook TBR if you like thrillers.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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