Book Review: “Through Our Teeth” By Pamela N. Harris

“Through Our Teeth” By Pamela N. Harris (2025)

Genre: Mystery, YA, Thriller, Fiction

Page Length: 368 pages (hardcover edition)

Synopsis:

Hope Jackson is dead. Everyone is convinced she took her own life, but Liv, one of Hope’s best friends, isn’t so sure. Hope’s boyfriend, Brendan, was always jealous and possessive, and his alibi doesn’t really check out. But in the town’s eyes, Hope was just some nobody who was going to drag down golden boy Brendan. 

So with the help of Hope’s other two best friends, Kizzie and Sherie, Liv is determined to bring Brendan’s actions to light. Together, they vow to make him pay.

But as their plans keep escalating, Liv begins to have second thoughts—especially as she’s realizing that Brendan may not be the only one with the motive or opportunity to kill Hope. Is Liv really getting justice for Hope, or is she just helping one of Hope’s so-called friends cover up their lies?

Review:

If you are looking for a story that will keep you glued to your seat this Autumn season, Through Our Teeth is one that you should add to your reading list! Taking cues from notable literary and movie thrillers (think I Know What You Did Last Summer), this novel promises high stakes, suspense, and building tension that all come to a head in the final part of the novel.

This story follows a group of teens trapped in a luxurious house that feels like a claustrophobic maze when plans for vengeance take a dangerous turn. The narrator of the story, Liv, is unreliable along with the rest of the cast of characters. The truth will be revealed as they are confronted by their past actions online and in real life.

Because of the subject matter surrounding Hope’s death, mental illness is a key topic that comes up constantly. All of the characters are struggling with something personal, but how they handle these issues is what plays into the plot. In doing so, it brings up an important conversation about mental health in the Black community. I really appreciated this, and Harris does a great job of building around how these characters navigate the negative stigma of mental health while coping with the tragedy of losing a friend.

This novel was thrilling from beginning to end and at many points had me on the edge of my seat. Many nail-biting moments added to the suspense and action scenes within the story. The alternating timelines added an even deeper layer of character development and made the mystery intriguing. It’s definitely full of unpredictable moments that will catch the reader by surprise and will leave an impact long after you finish reading it.

Final Verdict:

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from BookSparks in exchange for a fair and honest review.