4.5☆

I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for my unbiased thoughts.

This book is pitched as True Detective mixed with Sadie, so I was a little wary of it because I didn't want a repeat of Sadie, and thankfully I Hope You're Listening gave me something completely new.

The podcast element of this novel was so much fun, and very easy to follow. 

I absolutely loved the characters and how realistic they were because a lot of YA has teen characters that don't seem like teens, but the author did really well with that aspect.

Also the queerness!!! The f/f relationship was very normalized and although it was a case of insta-love, I didn't mind too much because of the way their relationship was so normal and again, realistic.

The author has a knack for realism in this book, and I know that can be hard when writing thrillers because the shock factor sometimes takes over.

They were plenty of shocking moments that had me on the edge of my seat due to all the twists and turns this book took me on, and I think all good thrillers need those moments.

I also thought that the author made an interesting choice of making the flashbacks third person while the present happenings were in first person. It was a little strange at first, but it actually worked pretty well for me.

Overall though the authors writing style and such wasn't too special, but I loved everything else about I Hope You're Listening.