What We Did to Survive by Megan Lally [Book Review]

A spring break thriller that goes from sun-soaked vacation to survival story fast—tense, twisty, and impossible to put down.

On paper, Hannah’s spring break sounds pretty perfect: Mexico, a beach resort, her best friend’s family, and a much-needed break from the slow emotional unraveling that is senior year. The only mildly uncomfortable part? Being around Emmy’s older brother, Jackson, who Hannah has been quietly (okay, not that quietly) crushing on forever. Still—sun, sand, ocean breezes. It could be worse. Find out why I gave this book 4/5 stars and read my review below.

What is the book about?

Hannah is having an incredible spring break. A week at a resort in Mexico with her best friend Emmy and her family is perfect for de-stressing from senior year, even if it’s awkward being around Emmy’s older brother, Jackson, who she’s had a crush on for as long as she can remember.

Still, the beach is gorgeous. So is the guy they meet in the surf. Except Hannah is now the third wheel in Emmy’s vacation romance.

Eager to impress Emmy, her wealthy new boyfriend charters a private sailboat to make the most of their last day in paradise, and Hannah and Jackson are invited along. As the clouds roll in and the skies darken, their boat is the only one leaving the marina. And the further they get into open water, the more unsettled Hannah becomes. A storm is brewing onboard that’s as deadly as the one racing toward them. Forget surviving graduation. Who will make it back to land alive?

My thoughts:

Vacation seems pretty perfect until Emmy meets a guy. A rich guy. A charming guy. A guy who quickly turns Hannah into the third wheel on what’s supposed to be her relaxing vacation. Wanting to end things on a high note, he charters a private sailboat for their last day. Hannah and Jackson are invited along. The sky starts to turn. The marina clears out. Their boat is the only one heading into open water. And suddenly, the tension onboard feels just as dangerous as the storm racing toward them.

Megan Lally is always good for a slightly unhinged ride, and this book did not disappoint. What We Did to Survive is a fast, can’t-put-it-down kind of read—the kind where you swear you’ll stop after one chapter and then realize it’s midnight and you’re almost done. It played out like a movie in my head the whole time, which is something Lally does especially well.

I was a little worried going in because so much of the story takes place on the boat, and I tend to struggle with books that stay in one tight location for too long (claustrophobia is real, even on the page). But that never became an issue here. The pacing keeps things moving, the tension escalates naturally, and the atmosphere does a lot of heavy lifting.

The ending didn’t totally shock me—but it also didn’t feel predictable in a boring way. I didn’t see it coming exactly as it happened, and that was enough to make it land.

If you’re someone who loves a good thriller, especially one with a YA lean, vacation-gone-wrong vibes, and a steady sense of dread creeping in with every chapter, this one’s worth picking up. It’s tense, entertaining, and exactly the kind of book you’ll fly through in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an advanced reader’s copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

SAVE THE DATE: Expected publication March 31, 2026!!!

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