I really enjoyed this book! Fast paced, heart racing, what will happen next. The stories intertwined nicely. Unexpected twists but not so far fetched.

Another great book by Alex Finlay! Thanks #netgalley!

What Have We Done is the story of 5 children who grew up in a group home. When one is killed, and another barely dodges murder, the other three believe that a secret that they've kept since the home is connected to the danger that they're in. As they unravel the truth, they are surprised to find the person and motive behind their friends deaths.

I enjoyed reading this book and think it would make a good bookclub pick.

This is the first book from this author I have ever read.

Although the story was not bad, I do not really understand why I had a hard time reading it.

It is about a group of 5 friends that grew up together in a group home and they all have a murderous secret that happened 25 years ago.

However I found it quiet un-realistic, that all of these friends seem to have become very successful in their adulthood: One being a Federal Judge (that gets murdered), another becoming a (drinking and drugging) Rockstar, One is a Tech Mogul/Millionaire (a.k.a. "Nerd"), there is also a handsome Hollywood reality Star, and the only girl in the group is a former Assassin that is now a Home Maker with an accountant husband and two step-daughters.

And after 25 years, someone is after those 5 friends...but except for the Judge that gets murdered, the rest of the friends seem to each escape murder attempts themselves and nobody knows, who's behind it and why.

The most disappointing part for me personally was, that after getting to know each former group home friend it was not hard at all to figure out, who is behind the murders/attempted murders.
As a matter of fact, the person stood out like a sore thumb - may it be 25 years earlier as well as in the present time.

I do not want to add any spoilers, therefor I can not mention any more.

The book was not too bad, but also very predictable somehow.

Will I try to read more books from this author in the future ?
I won't say no, because there were some scenes, that I can only describe as "thrilling".

So overall it was one of he books, I have to give a 3 star rating - which is really not bad and in my opinion fair.

Another great thriller from Alex Finlay! I do so look forward to his novels. This one is a riveting, heart-pounding thriller where the past rears up to destroy the people involved.

The blurb: Twenty five years ago, Jenna, Donnie, and Nico were the best of friends, a bond forged as residents of Savior House, an abusive group home for parentless teens. When the home was shut down—after the disappearance of several kids—the three were split up.

Though the trauma of their childhood has never left them, each went on to live successful, if troubled, lives. They haven’t seen one another since they were teens but now are reunited for a single haunting reason: someone is trying to kill them.

To save their lives, the group will have to revisit the nightmares of their childhoods and confront their past—a past that holds the secret to why someone wants them dead.

It’s a reunion none of them asked for... or wanted. But it may be the only way to save all their lives.

These foster kids have all made something of their lives until all at once it seems someone is trying to kill them all. The pace was fast with lots of action and excitement. My heart went out to Jenna. I had more trouble relating to the alcoholic rock-star and the gambling addicted actor. I really felt sorry for the Judge.

Highly recommended for those who like a good thriller! all of Alex Finlay's books have been good, so if you haven't delved in yet - give them a try.

Thanks. to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on March 7, 2023.

What Have We Done by Alex Finlay
3.5 ⭐️

5 teens become friends when their various difficulties at home have brought them together at Savior House, a foster home for kids. The conditions there are dangerous and abusive, and they have to do something unspeakable to escape with their lives, since some of their friends have disappeared without a trace, and they’re not buying into the offered explanations.

Fast forward to today- and it seems someone is trying to un-alive them one-by-one, even though most of the group members haven’t spoken in 15 years.

Curiouser and curiouser 🧐

Pros: dual timelines, female assassins, good pacing, action-packed

Cons: was a bit lost at times trying to keep the characters straight, some issues with plot holes

This was an enjoyable, fast-paced book that reads like an action movie. Some of the characters were really captivating, but I felt that they fell short of having distinguishable voices, which made it difficult to follow at times. I struggled between rating this one 3 or 3.5 stars, and decided to go with 3.5 because Finlay is great (The Night Shift was a 5 star read for me)- I think this one is more action-y and less thrilling, which isn’t my particular favorite cup of tea.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for early access in exchange for an honest review.

This unfortunately was a DNF for me. I wanted to enjoy it, mostly because I absolutely flew through Alex Finlay's previous book but unfortunately this one fell incredibly flat for me. The storyline was too muddled and it was entirely too difficult to try and keep the characters in line and understand the significance of the flashbacks. The synopsis is what really drew me in, unfortunately it didn't meet expectations.

I’ve been a fan of Alex Finlay since his debut novel, so was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of his latest work. I thoroughly enjoyed this; interesting plot, and good pacing in terms of switching between present and past. I really liked Jenna as a character and although some things were slightly predictable it kept my attention throughout! Only complaint is I could have done without the epilogue, resolved too quickly for you to get invested in it, would have been better to have been a plot point earlier in the book or just not included at all

What Have We Done by Alex Finlay

Jenna Donnie and Nico were split up twenty five years ago when Savior House closed down after the disappearance of several kids. The trauma of their childhood has never left them. Now someone is trying to kill them. The three must confront their past to save their lives

This is my second novel by Finlay.
I liked how fast paced and action packed this thriller was, just be prepared to suspend disbelief.
I struggled a little with the flipping between past and present. It also took me quite a bit to keep the characters straight.
While I did enjoy the book, this one didn’t wow me. It seemed like Finlay was trying out a style similar to S. A. Cosby. I just wished it was more like The Night Shift

Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy

I am very upset to say that I started to read this book and could not get through the multiple character dialogue. I’ve never really been a big fan of multiple dialogue as it is very confusing at points. And however, I will try and pick up something else from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this arc. I am very sorry that I did not get to completely read it. . Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an digital copy of this arc. I am very sorry that I did not get to completely read it.

Yes all the way around for this one. it was so good. It was a story that took me for a ride. The twist was a super big moment and ending had me shocked. I recommend this

Thrill ride of a read! Five kids meet at Savior House and their lives all change from there. As you get to know the characters, see how their lives have changed from Savior House you try to put together who is after them. Keep your enemies close and your friends closer.

This is one of my favorite books so far for 2023 and can’t help but hope it is adapted for the big screen because it would be amazing!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley, Alex Finlay and Minotaur Books for hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this digital ARC.

I was super-excited to be approved for this read. I simply LOVE Alex Finlay's books!

This book was a small departure from his two previous books in that it was more an action-thriller.
But it still had the Finaly feel. He just has a way with telling a story, the world and the characters he builds keeps you turning pages.

The story unfolds between three POVs and then a fourth is introduced but it works because you can't stop turning pages to find out what the heck is going on.

The three main characters are Jenna, Donnie and Nico and they all met at a foster home when they were kids. They all participated in something quite horrible before they fled the foster home and led mostly successful lives. But now they are being hunted by a killer for that horrible thing they did when they were kids and they must come together to piece together clues and find out who is trying to kill them before they become murder victims.

I can't decide who was my favorite character, Jenna or Donnie. Perhaps Jenna with Donnie as a close second.

This is a must read for Finlay fans. Just be aware that this one is more of a an action-thriller than a true thriller.

I was a big fan of Alex Finlay’s other book Every Last Fear, so much so that as soon as I saw this, I auto requested. I wish I had read the synopsis fully before I requested, but nonetheless it’s a pretty good book.

It’s not really my speed, and it’s not my favorite by any means, but I found the characters very likable. The chapters bounced around a bit much for me, and the plot wasn’t totally believable, but I enjoyed it enough to finish it.

I’m still very excited for future books from this author, and a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review!

“What Have We Done” by Alex Finlay is an intense and action packed thriller. The story is told with three different POV. Five children did something horrible twenty five years ago, and now an assassin is hunting them down one by one. This was an amazing book, not a single dull moment!! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!

This is one of those books that moves so quickly, you don't have a moment to ponder the plausibility of certain elements. In other words, this is one of those books that I really like. I recently referred to another author as joining my must-read list and I think it's safe to say that the same goes for Finlay.

A very tense, sit on the edge of your chair thriller. Five kids from a group home bury something years ago. They go on to make mostly successes out of their lives, but carry the actions of that night with them. Now a mysterious woman appears, that obviously has an agenda, that has targeted these old friends. Who is she, and what are her motives.
This novel has everything you’d want in a suspense thriller, interesting characters, action, tension and the question, “What the hell is going on, and who is she,” Alex Finley is a prolific writer, with characters that draw you in, both liking and frightened to death of a couple of them, dangerous and ruthless. It’s a roller coaster ride to the thrilling climax! As usual, I can’t wait for the next one!
My thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

i found the first half of the novel fast-paced and wildly entertaining but it quickly fell off for me after that. i didn’t connect to any of the characters, the plot was overly contrived, and the ending was beyond corny. disappointing because it started off so strong but ultimately fell flat for me.

I hate writing negative reviews, but this one just didn't work for me. I found myself just trying to rush to get through it.😕 I'm disappointed that this is the first of Finlay's books I've read, as I've heard such good things about the others. I still intend to give those a shot in the future.

This book was action packed and fast paced. The storyline itself was interesting. Overall, I did enjoy the book, but there were a few scenes that were a bit far fetched and unbelievable which IMO took away some of my interest in the book.. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc. It was fast paced and I really enjoyed it. This definitely had me on the edge of my seat and I will be recommending it on my social media!