Wow! What an explosive book. How would we All cope believing our friend or our husband? Very well written with the hint of did he didn’t he kept you guessing til the very end. Highly recommended

Ehhh this book was super tough for me to read. It deals with a lot of serious issues like rape. I struggle with reading book with this type of topic. Also it is more of a domestic thriller than a psychological thriller. The writing was good but I couldn’t connect with the character. Unfortunately that’s what ruined the book for me. She made too many “dumb” choices that it just turned me off. I hoping plan to read more of Claire’s books in the future, maybe they will be a better fit for me.

Ali and Mike host a college reunion with four Oxford University friends when one of their friends, Karen, staggers into the host's house in a mess, claiming that Mike had raped her -the host's husband.

This books switches between the present and 1996 when the group were at University together. Something happened party that they want to forget. But the past won't go away.

Ali is desperate to support her husband and cling on to the life she has created, but soon finds out that it is founded on lies and secrets.

These are not the most likeable group of very privileged people who used to be friends but the sequence of flashbacks and revelations keeps the story alive.

This novel covers several domestic issues but at no point was I uncomfortable. This was an enjoyable read and I recommend this book to others who enjoy this genre.

A vicious assault. A devastating accusation. Who should she trust, her husband or her best friend?

Karen staggers in claiming she has been assaulted by Mike who is her best friends husband. Who should she believe?

This was such a unique and enthralling novel. I was hooked from the first page and could not put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

I was immediately hooked by this book. The writer cleverly creates a non-linear narrative that means we, as readers, do not follow the chronological sequence of events on that fateful night that Ali's best friend, Karen, accuses Ali's husband, Mike, of rape. It's a nightmare for Ali and this is the catalyst of her seemingly perfect life beginning to fall apart. McGowan provides different perspectives on that night in question and this enriched the narrative as it felt like I was part of the police, and Ali's, investigations. Ali is determined to find the truth about her husband and is torn apart by loyalty to her husband and loyalty to her friend. Indeed, as the plot progresses, readers discover that there is more to this reunion of university friends on that disastrous evening; "friends" are not what they seem and there are hidden secrets, including one pivotal moment back from university. Accordingly, McGowan treats readers to not only the mystery of Karen's attack, but also the events leading up the murder of a student at university, during the Summer Ball - the night that Ali and all of her friends attended.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for this arc. I adore Claire McGowan as a human being; I've been to her Masterclasses a few times and she's a brilliant speaker and seems lovely. I wanted to like this book more than I actually did for a number of reasons I'll discuss below.
This follows 43-year Ali, who is the quintessential suburban housewife. She's married to her university boyfriend, Mike, who is a corporate lawyer, and they are parents to 15-year old Cassie and 10-year Benji. One night they are hosting a celebration dinner with their Oxford University friends to mark their 25th anniversary. We meet Callum and Jodi, who are trying for IVF are finally having their first baby; Benji, who's broken up with his Swedish girlfriend and still holds a soft spot for Ali; and Karen, who didn't graduate and is mother to 18-year old Jake. Their friends are staying over for the weekend. It was supposed to be the perfect get-together. Until Ali wakes up in the middle of the night and comes downstairs to find Karen bleeding and covered in bruises. She's been raped...by Ali's husband, Mike. Who will Ali believe?...
The premise was a strong one and I enjoyed the first half of this which had lots of twists and turns. Unfortunately the problem for me was that the second half got repetitive with the flashbacks, as it was easy to piece together what had happened, and the plot became predictable. Additionally there was too many sub-plots, yet ultimately the problem for me was that the characters weren't developed enough. I feel like the book would've benefited from having more POVs. There was a lot of gaps and questions. For example, why was Karen living in such awful living conditions? Why didn't Karen graduate? Why did she remain quiet about the secrets involving Mike? Why was Ali's relationship with her mother suffering and what had happened at her dad's funeral? Also how did Ali not realise the things that were happening, especially as it was so obvious? Overall I felt the characters were just there to serve the plot, which wasn't bad by any means; it needed more developing. Its 3/5 from me.

I received What You Did by Claire McGowan as an ARC from NetGalley. What You Did tells the story of 6 university friends who gather together after 20 years for a reunion at Ali & Mike's house. The story begins as Karen, Ali's best friend, come into the house bleeding and accuses Mike of raping her. Secrets from that time at the university are revealed and they learn the truth of what happened to a friend who was murdered when they were at the university. The friends have to determine who is telling the truth and who has been lying for years to their friends. I enjoyed the twists and turns in this book and am going to read Claire McGowan's previous novels.

This book is loaded with sensitive issues so please do your homework before picking it up.

For me this was not my favorite read. The premise for What You Did sounded interesting, the execution was not. Billed as a psychological thriller What You Did felt like neither. The book started great, a party, a reunion of sorts between 6 friends who haven't seen each other in a long time. It started to go off the rails when I felt as if on every other page there was a new plot twist. It was too much. None of the characters were fully developed either. I am supposed to care about them but I just didn't, there was nothing there. This was a 2 star read for me.

The story centres around a group of friends catching up for a 25 year anniversary. All is going well until one of the women stumbles in after being raped. What ensues are lies, deceit and friends turning on each other. Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

The plot was easy to follow, although quite obvious. I really feel like there was so much more that could have been done with the story line and the full book felt quite rushed.
I disliked the characters, Alison, the main character, was judgmental and pretentious. When it stated what brands she was wearing, we really didn’t need prices thrown in as well. Alison’s job as a woman’s activist and her husbands rape allegation could have been a really interesting main part of the storyline, but it was kind of just thrown to the side and made her sound completely incompetent at her job.
All of the friends were awful and really unbelievable that they were supposed to have known each other for 25 years.

What do you do when you have to choose between your husband and your best friend? Who do you believe? This is Ali’s dilemma when something unspeakable happens at the reunion of old university friends held at her house. I loved this book despite the fact most of the characters were despicable, self serving drips - the sort you’d love to shake! Two time lines and several points of view. There were one or two surprises along the way. Wouldn’t really describe this as a thriller but more of a domestic drama.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the Arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
This is the first book I have read by Claire McGowan and it was an absolutely fascinating and enjoyable read. It had everything you want in a psychological thriller, pace, suspense, a past history, sexual assault, rape, teenage angst and enough twists and turns to keep any reader happy.
The six main characters met at Oxford University and have a reunion many years later. Two couples are still together and two are single. The events of that evening’s reunion has repercussions for all of them.
Highly recommended.

Just loved this book. the characters sucked you right in and took you on the ride of your life. I will be looking for other books by this author. A definite read for anyone loves suspense

The synopsis of this book sounded so interesting to me and I knew I had to read it. After finishing this book, which took me awhile because I had no connection to the story or the characters, I can say that I just did not like it. The beginning of the book was easy to follow. I wanted to put it down and not finish it, but I try not to DNF books. I just could not get into the whole story and the characters were blah. I wouldn't recommend this book if you are looking for a good mystery.

Meet Ali & Mike, college sweethearts that seem to have it all...the million-dollar home, a boy & girl, genuine love for one another and while her husband is a prestigious lawyer Ali works to make female empowerment more prevalent in today’s world. She is a hardcore feminist who believes that women need to be heard, especially in cases of domestic violence and sexual misconduct.

Enter their 4 best friends from university: a second couple Jodi & Callum ...both married and pregnant and then the two single outcasts of the group, Karen and Bill, that have been pushed together more than a few times but just don’t feel that way about each other. Karen’s son also tags along, Jake, who is supposedly best friends with Ali’s daughter Cassie, but their bond to one another seems a bit TOO close for comfort.

While Ali furiously and meticulously preps her home, her meal and her kids for the BEST possible reunion experience after many, many years of missing her friends... what could possibly go wrong? In this case, everything.

After a night of hardcore drinking and dabbling with drugs the unexplainable happens leaving the entire house shook. Karen runs into the house screaming, a trickle of blood down her leg, grass and dirt stained from head to toe claiming that Mike raped her. With Callum passed out on the couch, Mike unconscious on the backyard swing set, Bill and Ali both awakened from bed and Jodi in the kitchen pregnant and confused— no one has a clue what REALLY happened.

Just how drunk were these house guests ? What did Ali & Mike’s daughter hear outside and who did their son see lurking in the shadows out his bedroom window? Exactly where was Jake at the time his mother was attacked?

The fact is... some of these people KNOW what happened, but are they brave enough to tell? Ali faced with the battle between believing her best friend or her husband, you’ll be surprised which side she chooses.

With one person fighting for their life, one in prison, one confronting a past that has been buried for far too long, and another so scared they can’t sleep at night... you won’t soon forget the outcome of this story!

Told in multi-perspectives...you will see how secrets begin to shatter the life that every single one of them has built to date. “I couldn’t believe the way everyone had kept secrets from me all these years...Although, of course, I’d kept secrets of my own as well.”

4 well- deserved mind boggling stars ⭐️

The reason that this book did not get a five star from me was because I felt that the story line and pacing was a bit too slow. At times it was repetitive and could have been cut down some. This took me much longer to read than a normal thriller would.

Spoiler—Do NOT read ahead—

I don’t believe that the current ( not past) romance between Ali & Bill was necessary, nor did it add anything of value to the plot.

I also find it hard to believe that a main character so in tune with her inner feminist could be so naive at her husband’s indiscretions.

This was my first Claire McGowan novel but it won’t be the last! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc.

I wanted to love this. I really loved the idea of it. But there was too much going on., almost like the writer got paid extra for all the added drama. It seemed like random things were just thrown into the story for no reason. The writing was good, but the story line jumped around, I couldn't' follow what was happening, and the characters were all terrible people.

I finished it, by bribing myself. If i read this whole one I could start my favorite authors new book.

I could not put down What You Did by Claire McGowan. The story begins with 6 college friends who reunite 25 years after graduating. Within a short time, though, one of them is raped, and one is accused. That act sets off a series of revelations spanning their 25 year relationships. There were some great, intricate twists in this story. But ultimately I rated it 3 stars because a lot of the revelations I saw coming from a mile away! The main character, Ali, was just either really stupid, or so self-centered that it just took the story down a little, for me. Overall, this was just a good story, not great. It reminded me somewhat of The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. I would read more stories by Ms, McGowan, she has potential.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-copy in exchange for a review. #netgalley #whatyoudid

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. But what if you can’t tell which is which? What if you don’t know who you can trust?
It’s the 25th anniversary reunion for the group of 6 that created a bond while in university, a bond that is still strong today. But is it?
Mike and Ali seem to have it all. They’ve been together since university and have the perfect marriage. Two kids. A beautiful house. And money. Ali feels like she has it all and is content being an activist for rape victims. She has the life she has always wanted and naively believes that nothing could shatter that.
With Mike and Ali hosting the weekend reunion, soon arrives Karen, Bill, and married and a couple soon to have a baby, Jodi and her husband.
But the exciting and anticipated reunion would not end well as one guest in a drunken stupor, bloody and hysterical, runs in with a claim of rape. By Ali’s husband. But that can’t be. It couldn’t possibly be true. But who is lying? Her husband or her best friend?
As the mystery unravels there are many more surprises and twists to come. Can you really trust your friends? Are your friends who they pretend to be?
I read some negative reviews for this book and I am quite surprised as I really liked this book. I hadn’t read any by this author before, but I liked it so much that I downloaded more by her. People have stated that the characters were not likeable and they couldn’t connect with them. Sometimes for me that makes a difference but in this book, I did dislike pretty much every one of the six with one exception. Although I would not want any of them as friends, it didn’t take anything away from my enjoyment of the book and without the characters as they are, it would be a totally different story.
While most of the story centres around the reunion and it’s outcome, the story of their college years is mixed in along with some teenage angst. Ali, being a crisis and rape victim activist has some very set beliefs in rape that are challenged when her husband is the one accused of rape.
I went through a bit of a reading slump for a couple of months prior to reading this, but this novel whipped me back into my love of reading. It is entertaining, gripping and full of twists and turns you don’t suspect.
4 1/2 stars for me! And my next read will be “The Other Wife”
Thanks to net galley and the publisher for allowing me the privilege of reading “What You Did” by giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was unable to read and review the book by the publishing date due to other commitments. I will update the review immediately upon completion of the book. Thank you NetGalley and publisher.