Emos, Posers, Goths, & Haters

Releasing Oct 31st

To start, what an incredible story! John really knows how to hit it out of the park with his books. I loved every minute of it! John is such a phenomenal story teller!

This book dives straight into the heart of Evergreen High and captures the pecking order of cliques and the intense pressure these cause in everyday high school life. It does an amazing job of exploring popularity, and the harsh consequences of bullying, making it both relatable and thought-provoking.

Watching one of the MCs, Charlotte’s transformation throughout was so satisfying to me! Sadly, the themes of bullying, trauma, and mental health are all too real and common. Hats off to John for bringing these crucial issues to light.

The ending of this story, left me speechless? Wow, just wow!

So if you enjoy high school dramas packed with suspense, rivalry, and life lessons, this book is a must-read. It’s a powerful reminder of how serious the quest for popularity can be.


Readers note:

This book made me emotional as it really hit home for me. I wasn’t bullied in high school, but I saw it happen to a new, quirky student. I befriended her, as I got along pretty much with everyone, and was able to nip that in the bud quickly, and we became best friends throughout high school and college.

It’s alarming to see bullying start even earlier now, in middle school. We need to stop bullying and support those affected. Schools also need to step up their efforts.

This is a difficult review for me. I 100% will support this author and read more by him. I really like the base and bones of this story. I can't lie I struggled hard getting through it. There are typos and the descriptions of the different cliches were a lot to take in. I could have read a bad version on kindle and an uncorrected one isn't uncommon to come across. The meaning behind this book is STRONG I finished the last 25% yesterday 8/27/25 and it really hit hard after the mass sh**ting that took place just an hour from my home. This story will sit with me. I believe John to be a good soul with deep meanings and potential behind his stories. Give him a follow and certainly pick up a story of his.

Andrea Cox is about to dominate senior year at Evergreen High. She’s next in line to join the Empresses, the school’s untouchable elite. But surviving high school isn’t just about fitting in. It’s about knowing your place, following the unspoken rules, and pretending the past didn’t happen. As Andrea climbs the social food chain, things start to crack beneath the surface. Secrets resurface, tensions rise, and a shadow from the school’s past threatens to wreck everything before prom. What starts as a popularity quest spirals into something darker. And the consequences hit hard.

Spillin’ the Book Tea:
Let’s start with the obvious: this book doesn’t hold your hand. It throws you straight into the social trenches of Evergreen High where every clique has its own rules, alliances, and traps. Thankfully, Randall includes a character breakdown at the front because otherwise I would’ve needed a seating chart and flowchart. That section was gold.

At first, I thought I was in for a snarky, Mean Girls-adjacent ride. And sure, some of that flavor is here. But this book digs deeper. It unpacks the mess behind the cliques, the labels, and the silent rules that shape teen life. It’s sharp. It's raw. And it’s painfully real.

You get a full spectrum of characters, some you’ll want to protect, others you’ll want to shake. The teachers aren’t just cardboard cutouts either. Mr. Rush in particular gives off big "cool elder who’s seen some things" energy. But let me be clear: this book isn’t just about high school drama. It’s about the emotional toll. The masks people wear. The quiet damage left behind by bullying, popularity politics, and social survival.

Randall doesn’t gloss over any of it. He tackles mental health with care and empathy, but without softening the truth. Some moments felt like a gut punch, especially toward the end. That final chapter? It leveled me. I cried. Not misty eyes. Full-on crying.

Yes, it’s a YA book. But honestly, adults need to read it too. If you've ever been a teenager (which I’m assuming you have), you'll find something here that hits a little too close to home.

The Vibes It Brings:

This is a gripping exploration of the high-stakes world of high school cliques, bullying, and the often-unspoken consequences of chasing popularity at any cost. Andrea Cox, the ambitious protagonist, is on top of the world as she heads into her senior year, but her desire for social status and acceptance in the powerful Empresses clique leads her down a dark and dangerous path. The dynamics between Andrea and the clique’s president, Charlotte Davis, are brilliantly portrayed, showing how quickly ambition can turn into rivalry and how fragile high school friendships can be.

What sets this book apart is how it tackles serious issues like bullying and mental health. As Andrea’s need for validation intensifies, we witness the emotional toll it takes on her, as well as the ripple effects on those around her. The backdrop of “The Reckoning,” a tragic event that still haunts Evergreen High, adds an air of suspense, reminding us that the consequences of bullying and social exclusion can be devastating and far-reaching.

The author masterfully handles these heavy themes, painting a realistic portrait of the mental health struggles that many teens face in a world dominated by social media pressure. Andrea’s journey is both a cautionary tale and a deeply empathetic one, urging readers to reflect on the cost of popularity and the importance of kindness and authenticity.

I appreciated the inclusion of the Cast of Characters at the beginning of the book. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference. It was incredibly helpful to have a reference point, especially in a story with complex social dynamics and multiple characters playing important roles. Being able to easily refer back to this list added clarity and depth to my reading experience, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the story without getting lost in the web of relationships. It’s a thoughtful addition that enhanced my overall enjoyment of the book.

This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys YA fiction that doesn’t shy away from real issues. Emos, Posers, Goths, & Haters is a timely and important story that will resonate with teens and adults alike!

This book follows highschool seniors as they navigate a tumultuous, cut throat pecking order that brings Karma out to play.

As a Mom with a couple kids in highschool I had to sit with this for a bit before writing my review.

Randall does a great job of approaching serious subjects, like bullying, mental illness and a few others you will come across as you read through. He does a great job writing from the POV of numerous teens and we really get a deep dive into their heads as well. I loved the variety of characters and cliques and what each one brought to the story. I also liked the lightness of the beginning of the story and stark contrast in that by the end of the book. I don't imagine it's easy to combine comedy/horror/thriller into one book, but Randall has managed to do a great job pulling it off.

The ending of this book was absolutely shocking. When I say my jaw hit the floor and I released a gasp heard round the world, I'm only slightly exaggerating!