Hey there, thriller fans! If you’re in the mood for a twisty, suspenseful read that’ll keep you guessing from start to finish, then Ruth Ware’s The It Girl is calling your name. Known for her knack for crafting gripping mysteries, Ware doesn’t disappoint with this one. It’s packed with secrets, tension and a whole lot of “wait, WHAT?!” moments. So grab a comfy chair, because I’m about to dive into why this book belongs on your TBR pile ASAP.
Summary of The It Girl by Ruth Ware
The It Girl follows Hannah Jones, a woman whose life changed forever during her time at Oxford. Back then, Hannah was best friends with April Clarke-Cliveden, the girl everyone wanted to be or befriend. April was charismatic, popular, and a little bit dangerous—the quintessential “It girl.” Hannah’s seemingly perfect world crashed when April was murdered during their first year, and Hannah’s testimony convicted porter John Neville for the crime.
A decade later, Hannah has tried to move on. She’s married to Will, April’s former boyfriend, and they’re expecting their first child. But new evidence casts doubt on Neville’s guilt, rocking Hannah’s world. Shortly after, Neville dies in prison. Could she have helped put the wrong man behind bars?
Determined to uncover the truth, Hannah digs back into her memories, reopening the mysteries of that fateful year. As she reconnects with old friends and enemies, long-buried secrets resurface, and the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes.
Review of The It Girl by Ruth Ware
Let me tell you right away: The It Girl is exactly the kind of thriller I crave. It has all the classic elements of a great mystery—boarding school drama, complex friendships and just the right amount of “dark academia” vibes. If you’ve ever been a fan of Ruth Ware’s previous work, you know that she loves to keep readers on their toes. The It Girl delivers that in spades.
Hannah is a compelling narrator and her voice really pulls you into the story. She’s not your typical unreliable narrator, but there’s an authenticity to her struggle with guilt and uncertainty. You can feel her grappling with her own memories, questioning what she saw and what she might have missed. It’s this internal conflict that adds layers to her character and makes her investigation feel deeply personal. Her doubts and fears make you feel like you’re right there with her, desperately trying to piece together the truth.
And then there’s April, who remains an enigma even after her death. Through flashbacks, we get a picture of this alluring, bold and complicated young woman. She’s the kind of character who commands attention, both in life and death. I found myself going back and forth on whether I liked her or not. Ware does an excellent job of making April feel like a real person. Someone who was captivating, but also deeply flawed. April is the heartbeat of the mystery, even though she’s long gone.
The dual timeline structure is a big win in this book. We jump back and forth between Hannah’s time at Oxford and her life in the present. The way these timelines weave together adds to the suspense. Just when you think you’re getting closer to the truth, Ware throws in another twist that sends you spinning in a different direction. The pacing keeps you turning pages and every reveal feels like peeling back another layer of a very complex onion.
Let’s talk about what makes Ruth Ware’s thrillers so compelling: the atmosphere. She’s a master at creating settings that practically breathe with tension, and The It Girl is no different. Oxford’s dreamy, gothic vibe contrasts with the dark undertones of the story. This gives the book a unique edge. It’s all so perfectly moody. Between the grand architecture and the secrets lurking in the shadows, you’re just waiting for something terrible to happen (and it usually does).
The ending was worth the wait. I’m not going to give anything away, but Ruth Ware pulls off a conclusion that’s both satisfying and thought-provoking. There’s a twist (or three) that’ll leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the story. It ties up loose ends without feeling forced. The final pages left me with that “I did NOT see that coming” feeling, which is exactly what I want from a thriller.
About the Author, Ruth Ware
If you’re new to Ruth Ware’s books, welcome to your next reading obsession! She’s one of my absolute go-to authors for psychological thrillers. Her books are packed with atmosphere, suspense and just the right amount of creepiness. Ware has a gift for making you feel like you’re right there in the story, whether it’s in a creaky old house, a locked-down ski chalet, or a luxurious cruise ship where danger lurks around every corner.
Some of her other must-read books include:
• The Woman in Cabin 10: This one’s a claustrophobic, twisty thriller set on a luxury cruise ship. When a travel journalist thinks she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard, no one else on board believes her—and things quickly take a dark turn.
• The Turn of the Key: A modern-day gothic thriller that’ll have you sleeping with the lights on. It’s about a nanny who takes a job in a remote, high-tech mansion, only to find herself caught in a web of creepy occurrences and hidden secrets.
• In a Dark, Dark Wood: Ruth Ware’s debut novel, which put her on the map as a queen of suspense. It’s a story of a bachelorette party gone horribly wrong, with a dark, eerie atmosphere that’s practically a character itself.
What I love most about Ruth Ware’s writing is how she keeps you guessing until the very end. Her books don’t rely on cheap thrills or obvious clues. They build tension slowly, keeping you engaged with every page. She’s the kind of author who can turn the seemingly mundane into something sinister. I’m always ready for whatever twisty tale she writes next.
Final Thoughts on The It Girl by Ruth Ware
The It Girl is everything you want in a psychological thriller—tense, layered and filled with enough twists to keep you guessing right up until the last page. If you love a good mystery with complex characters and dark secrets, then add this one to your shelf. You’re in for a wild ride. Ruth Ware delivers a story that explores guilt, friendship and how the past can haunt you in unexpected ways. It’s a suspenseful escape that’ll keep you hooked from start to finish.
Have you read The It Girl? Drop a comment below and let me know your thoughts! Or if you’re a fellow Ruth Ware fan, I’d love to chat about which of her books is your favorite. Happy reading, friends!
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
