Hello,
I'm looking for recommendations for books that contain the following elements.
- Preferably standalone books
- Contemporary
- Elite/high society settings
- Secret society (or cult)
- Sinister rituals (could be horror-ish but NO paranormal/fantasy/magical realism please, I've read Bunny and didn't like it)
- Rich young people (preferably female protagonists, could be YA or adult books)
- Maybe dark academia (not necessary)
- Boarding schools are good too (or elite universities with secret sororities)
- Could have romance sub-plot but it's not the main focus (FYI I'm open to anything regarding romance – could be MF, MM, FF, polyam, reverse harem… etc.)
- Revenge plot (?)
I'm basically looking for an adult version of Gossip Girl/Magnolia Parks (for the bling bling toxic rich mean girls vibe) mix with Pretty Little Liars and The Secret History… if that makes sense? But I wish it could be more adult-leaning and with more depth than just teenage drama.
Books I've read or tried to read (DNF/taking break from) with similar vibes:
- The Secret History – Donna Tartt (haven't finished yet but I love the vibes)
- The Girls Are All So Nice Here – Laurie Elizabeth Flynn (devoured quickly and adored the toxic female relationship and revenge plot)
- The Social Climber – Amanda Pellegrino (love the duo timeline and weird religious school vibes)
- You Are Not Alone – Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen (love the thriller part and the small close group of seemingly rich women and their secrets, but I haven't fully finished)
- Magnolia Parks – Jessa Hastings (loved the bling-bling high society young people with toxic relationship vibes)
- Dear Reader – Tate James (it's a reverse harem with secret society & campus setting, I liked it just fine but didn't continue the trilogy, thought it would be more sinister but there are more romance than actual plot…)
- Plain Bad Heroines – Emily M. Danforth (this I haven't finished but I love the beautiful illustrations and a weird horror-ish girl's school setting…)
- A Lesson in Thorns – Sierra Simone (this is the 1st book in a series but since I dislike series/prefer standalone books I didn't continue, else I adored the polyam and mysterious sexual ritual settings)
I've also just bought They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman, it's YA but seems to fit my love for elite girls and secret society…?
Anyways I truly hope to know new books I could read <3
Thank you in advance for any suggestion!
by Funny-Transition4184