Well written thriller with realistic characters that keeps you interested.

I like that the protagonist isn’t perfect and the descent in to paranoia is well portrayed and at odds with the setting.

I chose this book because the story line sounded interesting and it didn’t disappoint. I know someone who’s an alcoholic and a lot of what was written rung true, especially the destructive element and how it spreads so far and affects every level of friends, and family.

The storyline was a bit too slow to develop for me, but it had some good twists. I think, on balance, I preferred The Rumour, but a good book overall.

I have enjoyed previous books by this author and I was really looking forward to this one. It was excellent. A brilliant thriller. Highly recommended

Many thanks to Netgalley and Lesley Kara for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion.

Astrid a recovering alcoholic has moved in with her mother at Flinstead a small seaside town, where everybody knows each other’s business.

Astrid hasn’t had a drink for 190 days and attends AA meetings, where she meets Rosie and Helen. We know she has a secret and it is to do with her ex Simon. She becomes paranoid, she feels like she is being followed, then menacing notes appear.

The story is full of secrets and twists that keep you guessing until the surprising ending. I was so engrossed and sure where this book was going, that I didn’t see the twists coming and was left guessing again!!

This opened my eyes to the world of addictions. The topic of alcoholism was told in a frank and honest way, explaining how the daily battle can affect everyday life and how close family can be affected too!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

I really enjoyed Lesley's first novel - The Rumour, so was looking forward to this. It didn't disappoint.
It had the same fast heart rate inducing twists and turns. I noticed the 'nod' to the first novel. A great read.

I kind of enjoyed this book but think The Rumour was better. Astrid is a recovering alcoholic who moves back home with her mother to focus on her recovery from her addiction. I won't go into the whole plot here but the story was fairly engaging though predictable - I'd guessed the ending well in advance. The writing was good, plot a bit far-fetched, the setting was well described etc but my main gripe is the main character herself - Astrid. Golly, what a self-centred moany person! It was hard to sympathise with her and in fact I ended up not caring a whit what happened to her:( . Good enough read but nothing that hasn't been done before. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

It's been 192 days, seven hours and fifteen minutes since her last drink. Now Astrid is trying to turn her life around.

Having reluctantly moved back in with her mother, in a quiet seaside town away from the temptations and painful memories of her life before, Astrid is focusing on her recovery. She's going to meetings. Confessing her misdeeds. Making amends to those she's wronged.

But someone knows exactly what Astrid is running from. And they won't stop until she learns that some mistakes can't be corrected.


There have been many excellent reviews of Lesley's Kara's latest book - The Rumour - but 'Who did you tell?' is the first book that I've read by her so I'm excited to go back and read her books that have already been published. This one was a firm four stars for me. It's a gripping, dark and exciting book - there are some very tense moments and very real problems addressed. The author does an amazing job of building up a frankly lovable character who you want to root for - but also reminding you of her past and the battles she has faced when drinking. The twists are good - I don't think I had worked out who was at the centre of it all until the end - and Lesley Kara gives you hints and steers you in different directions just to keep it fresh.

This is the story of a woman called Astrid. She is a recovering alcoholic who struggles daily with her addiction whilst dealing with the grief and guilt over the death of her boyfriend, Simon. Astrid moves to a quaint village to live with her mother after leaving rehab. It doesn’t take long until Astrid starts smelling Simon’s aftershave or seeing his clothes in charity shops. Little brown envelopes of blackmail start to turn up at her mothers house. Astrid is trying to move on with her life but someone is hell bent on dragging her back down.

This book was a slow starter for me but once it got going I couldn’t stop reading. The character development and strength of Astrid grows through this book, she has the confidence to face her demons head on. There were a few twists in this book which I really liked and didn’t see coming. I felt towards the end that I was really empathising with Astrid and rooting for her. IT gave me a frightening insight into alcohol addiction and how it can wreck havoc for people.

Thank you to Netgalley, Lesley Kara, Random House UK and Bantam Press for an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This story captures the tribulations of a recovering alcoholic Astrid, who is forced to live back with her Mum as a final chance to get herself straightened out. Astrid is faced daily with the temptation of alcohol and attends local AA meetings where she meets fellow addicts who are eager to take her under their wing.

Astrid is also tormented with her past leading her to be suspicious and untrusting of others, even those who genuinely want to help her.

Who Did You Tell is a novel with plenty of mysteries that kept me interested throughout.

My thanks to Net Galley for the ARC this is my own view on this book.

This is the story of an alcoholics struggle with recovery whilst being the target of someone's revenge.

I felt like the story line itself was good and had some good twists and was full of potential. However I found it so hard to care about the main character as she just seemed so whiny and pathetic. I know that it could be said that it makes her seem more like a recovering alcoholic but for me it just made it hard to read. I also couldn't believe the love interest, they meet then that's it, they are a couple and he wants her to move back to London with him without even going on any proper dates!

Thanks to Net Galley for the copy in exchange for review.

I was delighted to receive an ARC of this book as I'd previously read The Rumour and enjoyed it. Astrid is a recovering alcoholic living with her mother in a small village and struggling to come to terms with the death of her boyfriend for which she blames herself. Although she goes to AA meetings she is finding it hard to stay on the wagon. I do know someone who is a recovering alcoholic and Astrid's situation mirrors what they are going through. I thought that the book started well, slowed down in the middle and then picked up towards the end.

Another brilliant book by Lesley Kara, I enjoyed this dark, twisty book. Fantastic characters and writing. I've been thinking about Astrid ever since I've finished this book.

Gritty and well described tale of living with addiction and how it can destroy. The story unfolded with a number of twists and turns and was in no way predictable which was great. Very much enjoyed and would read this author again.

This is a really well written novel into the way addiction eats into lives. It was uncomfortable at times, which is credit to the author for how well written it is.

Astrid is an alcoholic, she hasn't had a drink now for 192 days, seven hours and 15 mins but at times she is very tempted. If she has a drink she knows that she will be homeless because her mum will throw her out. Her mum already paid for her rehab and is continuing to support her but if this doesn't work this time she can do no more for her daughter. But, Astrid has much bigger reasons never to have a drink again.
Astrid is trying to put her past behind her and the death of her boyfriend but someone knows a secret they had and it could destroy her. When she meets Josh and his dad she feels that she has the chance of a new start. Thing is she isn't ready to come clean about her past and present life to them. This puts so many temptations in front of her, things that we take for granted as normal everyday life and you see just how hard it is. That proverbial carrot continually swinging everywhere.
Some of the story takes place in AA meetings where I didn't know who to trust or believe. It seems that Astrid is losing her mind when she begins to see things that shouldn't be there and catching glimpses of being followed. The one question she needs an answer to is 'Who did you tell? But her boyfriend is dead, he simply can't tell her now.
I really wanted Astrid to succeed and stop drinking but as the story unfolded it also drops back to the worse time in her life and what she remembered had happened. I loved all the twists in the story, saw some but not others. It kept me on my toes throughout. A brilliant ending.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book, which I have reviewed honestly.

As someone who has lived with an addict this was a frightening insight into how addiction wrecks lives and how, even in recovery, the past addiction preys on the mind constantly. Interesting to see how the slightest thing can bring back the cravings for an ex-addict - it helped me understand my relative’s behaviour a lot better. Tied up in this is an intriguing tale with enough twists and runs to keep me guessing.

This is a story about alcoholism, relationships, fear and regrets.
It is very well written and surprisingly enjoyable for such a difficult subject.
Astrid is back home with her mum after rehab.
She is struggling almost minute by minute not to drink and is attending AA meetings where she meets Rosie and Helen.
She also meets Josh and becomes involved with him however someone is sending her messages, blaming her for things she did in the past when she and her ex Simon were drinking.
There are lots of twists and turns in the story and I particularly enjoyed the way different relationships were written..
I would thoroughly recommend this book

Thanks #netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
As someone who lost a close family member to alcohol abuse, this book really struck a chord with me. During my grief I have never understood their addiction, however this book has clarified many of my misconceptions. The author shows this in such a stark and moving way.
As for the plot, it was fantastic. Kept me gripped throughout and lots of twists.
I would have liked more clarity on the layout though. Sometimes the protaganist would read out a letter but then put her own thoughts in the same paragraph. This made it challenging to work out whose viewpoint it was. All it needed was a change in font!
Overall, a fantastic book that will resonate with me long after I finished.

I was lucky enough to be chosen to receive a free copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
This is a gripping thriller that grabbed me from the beginning and held me late into the night. The characters are all relatable and most are likeable. I won't give anything away but recommend this book as a must read.
Thank you Netgalley

There were still some surprises in this. I did work out some of it but there were enough little mysteries and red herrings to make it enjoyable.

The main character is a familiar one, an unreliable narrator. It does feel a little bit like it's s been done before (think girl on a train). The sense of place is good, setting it in a small town was perfect as the same group of people bumping into each other and becoming involved in each others lives seemed natural.

The story is a mystery and psychological thriller but also about realtionships.