I can relate when you talk about the expectations that are put on one’s back when you’re in high school, as that’s a pressure I had from primary school and until I finished college. I liked how Nancy felt anger about that, knowing how hard her parents worked to put her through school. That is until a threatening message to Jamie appears on the board, which triggers the beginning of the end for them all. It is a critical commentary on the toxicity of American academics and the pressure to be more than the best at all times (especially coming from Asian families).

When I slowly began to realise the plot wasn’t working for me, I was somewhat holding onto the characters, hoping they would carry the story on, but it felt like I was reading a story that wasn’t quite complete. A group of kids work together to figure out who is behind the messages before their reputation is ruined. Nancy is even more shocked when word starts to spread that she and her friends – Krystal, Akil, and Alexander – are the prime suspects, thanks to ‘the Proctor,’ someone anonymously incriminating them via the school’s social media app. I think this book will appeal to a lot of people who like dark academia with all the scandals taking place at Sinclair Prep, it definitely is a story that keeps you on your toes.As someone who read and highly enjoyed The Dragon Warrior series, Katie Zhao’s debut YA novel is definitely a different vibe from her middle-grade novels. Secrets shared on Tip Tap have real consequences, including ostracizing, suspensions, or even loss of scholarships. Someone name The Proctor on the school social media annouces Jamie's death and points to Nancy and her three friends Krystal, Akil, and Alexander as suspects.

While this is my first August/fall that I don’t have to go to school (😱), reading How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao caused me to relive my high school days.Goodreads says there’s a sequel out next year, but the author’s 2022 book has just been announced, and it’s not a sequel.