The It Girl, the “exceptional” mystery thriller (Publishers Weekly) by New York Times-bestselling author Ruth Ware, has featured in several round-ups of the most highly anticipated books this summer.

Fodor’s Travel included The It Girl in its round-up of “The 15 Most Anticipated Books This Summer, According to Goodreads Members’. In the article, which you can read in full here, Eva Morreale writes:

“In this academia-set thriller, a group of friends meets at Oxford, and the luminous, vivacious, and enigmatic April Clouts-Cliveden is the center of their universe. April’s personality and wild child attitude keep the entire group on their toes and pulled together in her orbit, that is until her tragic murder at the end of the second term.

While managing to graduate and move on, the past is pulled into question when a plucky journalist comes ‘a knocking a decade later with a theory that April’s killer may be innocent after all. Reuniting with former friends, everyone’s memories of (and secrets surrounding) April’s death come barrelling into the present. Who’s hiding what? We find out in this electric thriller from emerging English writer Ruth Ware (she wrote recent favorite In a Dark, Dark Wood).”

Meanwhile, The It Girl audiobook, read by Imogen Church, also featured in AudioFile‘s editors’ round-up of ‘9 Hot Listens for July’, which you can read here. The editors write: “Ruth Ware and Imogen Church are an unbeatable combination.”

Book Riot also included the thriller in this round-up of ’10 Best Mysteries With a Twist’, with Elisa Shoenberger writing: “Ruth Ware’s books are famous for their twists, and her forthcoming book does not disappoint.”

And, finally, The It Girl is among the ‘Must-Read Summer 2022 Crime Books’, according to Crime by the Book. In the article, which you can read here, The It Girl is recommended for lovers of murder mysteries, and for fans of dark academia and books set across dual timelines:

“This summer, Ruth gives readers a story that is a bit of a departure from the kinds of mysteries we normally associate with Ware—but it’s no less entertaining or clever! The It Girl is an irresistible blend of dark academia and “whodunnit” murder mystery…. Ware’s writing is immersive and easy to devour, and she brings the atmosphere and setting of Oxford vividly to life. If you loved The Maidens by Alex Michaelides, you’ll love this one. 4.5/5 stars!”

The It Girl will be released in the US on 12th July and in the UK on 4th August. Pre-order your US copy here, and your UK copy here.

Follow Ruth on Instagram @ruthwarewriter and Twitter @RuthWareWriter.