The Hardest Ones to Fool

“This fast-paced thriller is packed with shocking surprises, shifting loyalties, and blurred motives… readers will be left guessing until the final page.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Li (The Manor of Dreams, for adults) weaves a labyrinthine mystery… Amelia is a morally ambiguous protagonist who remains magnetic despite her dishonesty and opportunism. The novel’s pacing hinges on delayed revelations, and the resulting twists feel both surprising and earned.“—Publishers Weekly

“Readers will be unable to put this book down as the mystery unfolds and the truth about Amelia’s past with Ingrid comes to light. The fast-paced story has plenty of twists and turns, making for a worthy addition to YA mystery collections.“—Booklist

“Christina Li has given us a sharply funny, deliciously competent protagonist to root for in Amelia Wu, whose story is so addicting, I felt like I was binge-watching the newest must-watch teen crime thriller. Chock-full of characters that are easy to love and fun to hate, I’d have been happy reading about this cast doing laundry together. As it is, with the whip-smart plot twists and turns and surprisingly tender romance, my sleep schedule stood absolutely no chance. Be warned: From the moment you read its first sentence, you will not be able to put down The Hardest Ones to Fool. Christina Li has written a book that, to quote Jackie Anh, Amelia’s academic nemesis, makes me feel like I’m ‘actually sort of a cool person.’”—Sloan Harlow, New York Times bestselling author of Everything We Never Said

“A bold, fast-paced mystery with a searing, precise narrator who you can’t help but want to succeed … even if (and maybe because!) she’s a scammer on a mission. A total thrill!”—Jessica Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of The Counselors

“There is nothing that I love more than a story about wicked girls using the patriarchy for personal gain. The Hardest Ones to Fool is a tense, perfectly paced thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.”—Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, New York Times bestselling author of Ace of Spades

“Li’s first foray into thriller pulls out all the stops to great success. Ambitious, smart, and wickedly fun, this is the fast-paced story of a teenage girl willing to do whatever it takes to not just survive but thrive under pressure. Whatever it takes.”—Joelle Wellington, author of Their Vicious Games

Christina Li (she/her) is the award-winning author of:

• Clues to the Universe (Children’s Book) - A Washington Post summer book club pick.
• Ruby Lost and Found (Children’s Book) - An NPR and New York Public Library Best Book of the Year and recipient of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature.
• True Love and Other Impossible Odds (Young Adult Novel)
• The Manor of Dreams (Adult Fiction Debut) - Listed as one of TIME magazine’s most anticipated novels of the year.

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