Kimberly Baer’s Would You Rather… is a young adult thriller that starts as a harmless classroom game but quickly twists into something much darker. When a substitute teacher introduces a game of “Would You Rather” in physics class, the students think it’s just another way to kill time. But then, their chosen fates start coming true. Winning the lottery? Check. Losing hair? Check. Going missing forever? That’s when things get real. The story follows a group of high school students trying to unravel the mystery of their eerie predicament before it’s too late.

The dialogue is sharp, and the characters feel authentic. Henry, Blake, Ava, and their friends banter like real teenagers, sometimes goofy, sometimes awkward, but always believable. The moment the substitute teacher, Mr. Trinkley, enters the scene, the atmosphere shifts. He’s unsettling in a way that’s hard to pinpoint at first, but his chilling presence grows with every page. The game starts off lighthearted but quickly escalates. The moment Maddy pulls the card that forces her to choose between killing someone or being kidnapped by a serial killer? Goosebumps. It’s the kind of scene that makes you grip the book tighter.

Baer does a fantastic job balancing suspense with emotional depth. The friendships in the book feel genuine, especially the bond between the “Alphabet Quartet,” Ava, Blake, Charlie, and Deej. Their easy camaraderie adds a layer of warmth to the story, making the stakes feel even higher when things start spiraling. One of the creepiest moments for me was Reina’s hair loss. Her “Would You Rather” choice seemed harmless at first, but when her bald spots start appearing, it’s impossible to ignore the growing sense of doom. The way Baer describes it, little by little, until Blake accidentally yanks off her wig sent a shiver down my spine. It’s these slow, creeping horrors that make the book so effective.

The pacing is solid, though the middle drags a bit when the students are still debating whether the curse is real. I also wish we had more insight into Mr. Trinkley. He’s terrifying, but I wanted to know why, what his real deal was beyond being a creepy substitute. That said, once Maddy goes missing, the urgency skyrockets, and I couldn’t put the book down. The final chapters are a whirlwind of fear, desperation, and a race against time.

I’d highly recommend Would You Rather… it’s perfect for readers who love a mix of supernatural horror and high-stakes mystery, with just enough teenage drama to make it relatable. If you’ve ever played “Would You Rather” and thought, What’s the worst that could happen?—this book has your answer.

Pages: 178 | ASIN : B0DP364MX2