The St. Ambrose School for Girls

Written by Jessica Ward

Narrated by Gail Shalan

The newest student at the elite St. Ambrose School for Girls must navigate a sinister social clique and the treachery of her own mind in this “complex psychological thriller” (CrimeReads) that is perfect for fans of Megan Miranda and Layne Fargo.

When Sarah Taylor arrives at the exclusive St. Ambrose School, she’s carrying more baggage than just her suitcase. She knows she’s not like the other girls—if her shabby, all-black, non-designer clothes don’t give that away, the bottle of lithium hidden in her desk drawer sure does.

St. Ambrose’s queen bee, Greta Stanhope, picks Sarah as a target from day one, and she is relentless in making sure Sarah knows what the pecking order is. Thankfully, Sarah makes an ally out of her roommate Ellen “Strots” Strotsberry, a cigarette-smoking, devil-may-care athlete who takes no bullcrap. Also down the hall is Nick Hollis, the devastatingly handsome RA, and the object of more than one St. Ambrose student’s fantasies. Between Strots and Nick, Sarah hopes she can make it through the semester, dealing with not only her schoolwork and a recent bipolar diagnosis, but Greta’s increasingly malicious pranks.

Sarah is determined not to give Greta the satisfaction of breaking her. But when scandal unfolds, and someone ends up dead, her world threatens to unravel in ways she could never have imagined in this delicious, “riveting, twisty read” (Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author) that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jul 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9781797154855

Jessica Ward

Jessica Ward is a pseudonym for the #1 New York Times bestselling author who writes as J.R. Ward and has over twenty million copies in print. She enjoys spending time in the Adirondacks and lives in the south with her family and her dogs.

Reviews for The St. Ambrose School for Girls

[Kimberly Small-Jonas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. Really kept me coming back for more. Really think she did a good job with the mental health thing too.

[Dee Wallace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wasn’t sure what to make of this story when I first read it. Then I was sucked into the story line as Sarah’s secret unfolds. There were times when Sarah monologues a bit much, but once the climax happens, it makes sense. I want to share a Trigger Warning for those who experience, have experienced, or have a loved one with mental health struggles—the story line is heavy with this subject but explains and shows thought processes accurately and might be helpful for friends and family of loved ones to understand what may be happening internally.

Such an excellent ending!

[Shirley Sparks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really good
Thank you for the insight on a not so talked about subject

[KatBird · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I don't know what this author was thinking of writing this book. It sounded like something interesting but after five chapters of the author droning on and on and on and on, I give up. Definitely not worth the time to read.

[Jamie Vaughan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent story, I was enthralled with it from beginning to end!

[jess · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Needs a trigger warning
Suicide is a delicate subject for some people

[Valerie engel · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I thought there was way too much of the main character talking to herself, which took away from the plot. The ending was predictable, but not satisfying in my opinion. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and probably the last.

[Teacher · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Couldn’t finish. Was intrigued by the setting and inclusion of a bipolar diagnosis in the plot, but couldn’t get past the raspy narration. Was also uneasy with the student’s attraction to the married RA, and didn’t want to stick around to find out where it went.

[emilee senio · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book! This helped me understand bipolar disorder a lot more. Thank you!