Skip to main content

Member Reviews

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.

Was this review helpful?

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!

Was this review helpful?

“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!

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

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!

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars. This book was action packed and fast paced. The storyline itself was intriguing. Overall, I did enjoy the book, but there were a few scenes that were a bit far fetched. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

What Have We Done begins with a prologue about the past. 5 kids have done something that will haunt and connect them for rest of their lives. That prologue grabs you and does not let up until the very end. With short chapters and a fast paced storyline that has you constantly turning those pages to find out who is lurking behind the scenes, this is a book for all the thriller lovers.

This story is told in 3 POVs and at the beginning had me a little confused trying to keep everyone straight with their role in the story. There's Jenna, Donnie and Nico and these 3 couldn't be more different. They are three of the 5 kids from the prologue that are all now adults on the run from someone that is out to kill them because of what happened in their past. And their past all started at a home for foster kids where sinister things may have happened. As these 3 fight for their lives and try to learn who is at the bottom of what is happening to them, they soon unite and begin to piece together the clues that have been left for them by one of their own who has already been taken down by the killer.

With the alternating chapters from each character telling their stories while also dipping into the past timelines, we slowly uncover truths that have been hidden from them about their lives at the foster home and how that has shaped who they are today. Alex Finlay took us on a crazy ride that was action packed and full of amazing fight scenes that I could see playing out in my head. This is the type of action/suspense/thriller that I love to read about. It kept me guessing and fully invested with the fast paced story with characters that you want to root for. It's twisted, intriguing and will keep you guessing until the end. Although I wanted the characters to interact more as a group, I gotta say, Jenna was the standout and is one bada$$ character that I loved. Maybe if there was more group dynamics I would've rated this higher. But overall, this was a story that kept my interest piqued all throughout.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for the opportunity and the arc! I really loved “the night shift” but this book had a completely different feel. This is definitely an action thriller- already not my favorite kind of book. There was a lot of ridiculous things that happen action-wise where you’re really forced to suspend belief. I honestly wasn’t very invested in the story and it took me a while to get through. I also didn’t love having it split between so many perspectives. This one was just okay for me.

Was this review helpful?

What Have We Done is the the first book I've read by author Alex Finlay. Told through multiple POVs, readers learn 5 teenagers committed a crimes 25 years ago, and it appears like someone has found on what happened. A hired killer is after 4 of them, given the 5th has already been murdered. Is one of them hiding the truth? Is the original victim's son out for revenge? Or is there something far more deadly going on... something they all missed when they were kids? I enjoyed the writing style very much, and the main character, a former hired assassin (Jenna, one of the original five), is pretty cool. She's been out of the syndicate for a while, and now that she's married with two stepkids, her family is in danger. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear what happened 25 years ago but there are a few twists. While the story was good, I felt that the overall connection between the characters lacked substance. I didn't care what happened to them, only that Jenna survived and we learned the truth. Toss in the new assassin's crazy antics and shocking thoughts about how to kill people, I kept turning the pages. Will definitely try more from the author in the future.

Was this review helpful?

5 children met in a foster home, they are now adults. One has been murdered, and they all are contacted all these years later to figure out what happened. Will someone else be next? They try to get through the childhood trauma, and see who they can trust. It's a thriller/mystery type of story. #whathavewedone #alexfinlay #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #thriller #mystery

Was this review helpful?

This book was insane to read. I was stressed out and totally engrossed at the same time. Very fast-paced, with a lot of thrill. This book tells the story of 5 people who were together as young teens in a group foster home. 20 years later, they are being targeted one by one by someone who clearly wants them all dead. What exactly happened in the past, why is it being dug up now, and more importantly, who is trying to kill then? Alternating perspectives and slowly telling the story of the past, this was a book to remember.

Was this review helpful?

Incredible book. Alex Finlay is a genius with his twists,turns and building plots. I have read a previous book by this author and was also blown away at the end. This title was no different. The whole time I was reading this I thought I had figured out who did it but I was so wrong. The writer drops so many clues to make you believe you've figure it out and then rips them away right in front of your eyes. I recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers or is looking for a challenge.

Was this review helpful?

Four successful people whose past has come back to haunt them. They never intended to ever see each other again or have to deal with what happened during their childhood but someone has a different plan.

Hmmm, this book was written from several different points of view which is usually my favorite but I didn’t enjoy it this time. I stayed confused throughout the book. I continuously had to go back to see who it was that I was reading about. I don’t know if it was too many characters or I was just distracted during this reading or there was other factors but I just stayed confused and by the time the climax happened, I was just ready for it to be over. I think the storyline was really thought out and written well but I just couldn’t stay interested. BUT, I think that although it didn’t work for me, other readers will really enjoy it. How’s that for very confusing.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for an ARC!

This book was so fast-paced and action-packed. That's why I rated it five stars. I always rate books I can't put down five stars even if I found a few issues with the book.

I feel like this is a perfect book to get out of a slump. It starts with action and never stops. I could really visualize the action and could see this clearly being a movie.

I felt like the description of the book didn't exactly align with the book's plot. The real focus is on all of these people trying to avoid getting murdered and the repercussions of that. Yes, it has to deal with their past, but that doesn't play a role until the final third of the book. The book was so action-packed that the background felt rushed and hectic. Also the last piece of the ending felt unnecessary to me.

Overall though, I would recommend to my friends to read!

Was this review helpful?

A fast-paced story of the past catching up to former residents of a group home. Five friends took action to protect the residents of their group home. Now, years later, someone wants to make them pay for what they did. Who would want to harm them after all this time? Figuring out who to trust and staying alive will take the teamwork they used as teenagers.
This was a thrilling read that moved quickly. There was action up to the very last page, The back story was compelling. The kids each had their unique quirks. I wanted the kids to all be chosen as members of a special task force, but that's another series.

Thank you, NetGalley St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for this e-arc. You made my weekend.

Was this review helpful?

It seems like Alex Finlay has a way of writing books that need to be read it one sitting!! This one has me hooked, I couldn’t put it down!

This story would make a great movie or tv show. It was so tense!

I loved the multiple POVs and flashbacks. This one has quite a few twists that I definitely didn’t expect!

Was this review helpful?