For teens grappling with the blurred lines between fiction and reality, this psychological thriller explores dark secrets, intense friendships, and the stories we tell ourselves.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating an intense, all-consuming friendship or exploring their identity through creative writing and online fandoms. "We Made It All Up" is a psychological thriller about Celeste, a new girl who falls into a creative and codependent friendship with the wealthy, magnetic Vivvy. They co-author a story that begins to bleed into reality, and when Vivvy disappears, Celeste must untangle their fiction from the truth. The book explores loyalty, anxiety, and the dark side of storytelling. For mature teens, it's a gripping way to open conversations about toxic relationships, accountability, and how we shape our own narratives.
A character is missing and presumed harmed. Contains scenes of threats, psychological intimidation, and a tense climax.
Substance ReferencesMild
Depictions of underage drinking at teen parties.
LanguageMild
Some profanity consistent with the age group and genre.
Sensitive Topics
The book's approach to its sensitive topics (toxic friendship, manipulation, gaslighting, classism, obsession) is direct and psychological. It’s a secular story that offers no easy answers. The resolution is ambiguous and realistic, focusing on the protagonist's psychological state rather than a neat conclusion to the mystery. It leaves the reader with lingering questions about truth and culpability.
Ideal Reader
A mature teen (15-18) who loves complex, character-driven psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators, like "Sadie" or "Genuine Fraud." This is perfect for a teen who is deeply involved in creative writing, fan culture, or online communities, as they will resonate with the central role storytelling plays in the characters' lives.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for themes of deep psychological manipulation and moral ambiguity. No character is entirely good or bad. Previewing the fanfiction excerpts can provide insight into the girls' mindsets. The book can be read cold, but it will spark necessary conversations about healthy relationships, online expression, and accountability. A parent is concerned about their teen's intense, possibly codependent friendship. They may have noticed their child becoming secretive or changing their personality to fit in with a new, magnetic friend. Another trigger could be worry over the dark nature of stories their teen is writing or consuming online.
Age Experience
A younger reader (14-15) might experience this primarily as a compelling 'whodunnit' mystery, focusing on the plot twists. An older, more mature reader (16-18) will likely engage more deeply with the psychological horror, the nuances of the unreliable narration, and the sophisticated commentary on class, power dynamics in female friendships, and the nature of truth.
What Makes It Special
Unlike typical YA thrillers, this book's unique power lies in its meta-narrative. The fanfiction is not just a plot device; it's the core of the psychological story, masterfully demonstrating how collaborative storytelling can forge intense bonds while also becoming a dangerous, reality-warping echo chamber.
Read plot summary
New student Celeste is quickly drawn into the orbit of wealthy, charismatic Vivvy. The two bond by co-writing a fanfiction story online. Their collaboration becomes an intense, obsessive reflection of their own lives and resentments. When Vivvy goes missing after a party, the lines between their dark story and reality blur. Celeste, an unreliable narrator, must confront the secrets they kept and the possibility that their fictional plots inspired a real crime.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Celeste is an unreliable narrator. Were there specific moments you started to doubt her version of events? How did her perspective shape your opinion of Vivvy?
2
The fanfiction story, “Meet Me in the Woods,” is central to the plot. How did Celeste and Vivvy use the story to process their real-life feelings? At what point did it cross a line from creative outlet to something more dangerous?
3
Discuss the power dynamic between Celeste and Vivvy. Who do you think had more control in the friendship, and how did their different socioeconomic backgrounds influence their relationship?
4
The ending is ambiguous about Vivvy’s fate. What do you believe really happened? What does Celeste’s final choice tell you about how she has changed since the beginning of the book?
