There’s nothing quite like diving into a book that keeps you glued to the pages from start to finish. For me, that’s what reading is all about.
Honestly, when people say reading is better for you than TV, I agree—not because I feel like I’m being academic or learning a lot (because, let’s be honest, if I read 90% thrillers, I’m not doing much learning), but because I literally cannot focus on anything else when I’m reading and I’m so utterly absorbed in the story.
When I find a story that hooks me with its twists and turns, everything else can wait. I’ve included nine books to binge that make you want to cancel plans and stay up all night, desperate to find out what happens next.
If you’re ready for some intense, page-turning excitement, read on for my top picks for books to read in a day!
Best Binge-Worthy Thrillers to Read for Fall
Darling Girls
by Sally Hepworth
Darling Girls is one of Sally Hepworth’s best books in years—and I’ve read every book she’s published! Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, raised by the strict Miss Fairchild, thought they’d escaped her forever. But when a body is found under their childhood home, they’re pulled back into a web of secrets. The story is intense and emotional, which Hepworth balances perfectly.
Cover Story
by Susan Rigetti
Here’s one you’ll need to go back and reread after you finish because the ending is beyond insane. I went in blind and recommend you do too, but if you need more to pique your interest, here you go:
Cover Story by Susan Rigetti follows Cat, an aspiring writer who lands a dream internship at a high-end magazine. As she becomes entangled with the enigmatic and glamorous editor, Lora, Cat’s life takes a series of VERY unexpected and thrilling turns.
Also, did I freak out when Rigetti followed me back on Instagram after I posted about the book? Yes, I did. I’m anxiously waiting for her to write more.
The Boys’ Club
by Erica Katz
This is one of those books that I can’t even explain why you’ll binge it, but the pace of it makes it impossible to put down. There’s no natural spot to stop and take a break, and, to be honest, you won’t want to.
I recommended it to my friend, and within a few hours, she said it was “engrossing,” “addicting for no reason,” and “crazy good,” and she finished it quicker than I did!
The Boys’ Club by Erica Katz follows Alex Vogel, a young attorney navigating the cutthroat world of a prestigious law firm. As she gets drawn deeper into the firm’s dark secrets, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to succeed.
First Lie Wins
by Ashley Elston
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is a funny, thrilling ride. Evie Porter, who isn’t real (whoops, that’s her fake identity), has a seemingly perfect life, but faces chaos when her latest job gets personal. With her true identity on the line, the stakes are sky-high. This was my first read from Elston, and I had an absolute blast! I’m definitely keeping an eye out for more from her.
This one also isn’t scary at all—if you’ve been holding off on the thriller genre because you spook easily, I highly recommend this one! It’s more action and deceit. Plus, it’s a Reese’s Book Club pick!
The Lies I Tell
by T.J. Newman
Here’s another con artist thriller (can you tell I like those?). The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark features two main characters with such distinct voices that it keeps you hooked. The story follows Meg, a skilled con artist who assumes new identities to exact revenge, and Kat, a journalist determined to expose her.
As Meg and Kat’s lives become intricately entwined, you will stop at nothing to discover what happens next and keep the pages turning. Such a masterclass in deception!
All The Dangerous Things
by Stacy Willingham
Stacy Willingham is a really solid author, and All the Dangerous Things did not disappoint. This gripping thriller follows Isabelle, a mother who hasn’t slept in a year since her son’s disappearance. Her relentless search for answers unravels dark secrets and hidden dangers…
The story kept me hooked from start to finish! Willingham’s ability to create deep, complex characters while maintaining high tension makes this a must-read. She’s a really immersive author who creates an incredible story atmosphere.
Wrong Place, Wrong Time
by Gillian McAllister
I’ll admit that I don’t usually read time travel books and I’m not a fan of sci-fi, but Wrong Place Wrong Time is a thriller that just so happens to have a bit of time-bending as a plot element. It completely blew me away; I literally made lunch and sat in the same spot for five hours. I almost wished I had slowed down to savor this one! I’m jealous of anyone who gets to read this for the first time.
The characters were incredibly well-developed, and the plot was full of shocking twists that I never saw coming. Every piece of the story falls together like a perfectly crafted puzzle. The story follows Jen, who witnesses her son commit a crime and then wakes up the next day to find herself reliving the previous day—and that’s all I’ll say about it!
“How do you stop a murder after it’s already happened?”
Never Saw Me Coming
by Vera Kurian
I read Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian in a day while I was in Cabo, and it was the perfect beach read.
Meet Chloe: She’s a freshman honor student, a leggings-wearing hot girl next door, who also happens to be a psychopath. Chloe joins a secret program with fellow diagnosed psychopaths at her college, but suddenly, her fellow students start turning up dead…Chloe needs to think and act fast before she becomes the next target.
This is the perfect read for fans of shows like Criminal Minds!
“Grade-A student. Grade-A psychopath.”
Drowning
by T.J. Newman
I don’t think there could be a better book that describes “on the edge of your seat” than Drowning by T.J. Newman. I read it on my Kindle, and it felt like the perfect Kindle read—although I was turning the pages so quickly that maybe a bigger screen or book would’ve helped!
The story follows a commercial flight that crashes into the ocean, leaving the survivors trapped underwater. With limited time and air, the passengers and crew must fight to stay alive while rescue teams race against the clock. It’s intense, it’s gripping, and it’s a total plunge into chaos…IYKYK.
