🛥🔪 I Did Warn Her by Sian Gilbert 🔪🛥
Genre: Thriller
Length: 384 pages
POV: Multiple
Pub Date: June 17, 2025
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow publishers for the e-ARC of this book. The opinions stated here are solely my own.

Are you looking for a thriller that you just can't put down?? This is definitely it. I haven't really gotten super into a good thriller in quite awhile until this book! If you're a fan of the show, Below Deck, but mixed in with some murder and great twists, this is one you need to read! I absolutely loved all the characters who were both staff and the implorable, filthy rich charter guests. Every single person had something they were hiding or running from, which culminated in the perfect storm (haha pun intended) of conflict and death. I would definitely read more by this author!

Summary:
Capt. Howard is leading the super yacht, Ophelia, on its last charter before he retires. His crew of chief engineer, deckhands, and five almost identical-looking stewardesses are ready to take on the Cap's two rich childhood friends and their accopanying female escorts for a voyage they'll all remember... except for those who never manage to make it to their destination.

When one stewardess is murdered, things start to unravel and it becomes apparent that everyone on board has something to

The story pulled me in right away with its setup—a scandal from “last season” and a cast of women who clearly have something to hide. The pacing and tension were strong, especially early on, and the writing created a vivid sense of place. The atmosphere of the superyacht setting was immersive and glamorous in the best way.

I appreciated that the story was told exclusively through the women’s perspectives. It gave the narrative a sharper focus and a unique voice. However, with so many characters, it became difficult at times to remember who was who, especially when it came to backstories and motivations. I wouldn’t recommend cutting characters, as they all felt necessary—but perhaps a clearer anchoring of their identities or more distinct voices could help.

While I was invested in the mystery and continued second-guessing myself throughout, some of the reveals felt a bit too on-the-nose. I was hoping for more layered twists or a deeper final payoff. That said, it was still an enjoyable read overall.

I’d rate this a solid 3.5 stars—engaging, stylish, and full of drama, with a few areas that could benefit from tightening.

This was fun! I requested it for two reasons. 1. One of the very few "fluff" TV shows I will occasionally watch is Below Deck. There's something so unique about it compared to other reality shows. And it's certainly my only exposure to the world of luxury superyachts. And 2. I devoured Gilbert's last book, She Started It. So I was pretty sure going in that I'd like the topic and like the author.

It did not disappoint! It felt a bit slower-paced than She Started It, but a lot of that was background on how the yacht staff functioned. There were multiple mysteries happening on board and plenty of twists to keep me guessing.

I read the first 65% or so and then saw that the audio was available for request on NetGalley. I listened to the last several chapters and the narration was fantastic. I already knew that I could listen to Imogen Church all day long, but the rest of the narrators were equally enjoyable. Having it cast by multiple narrators was helpful in keeping track of the different crew members and who was telling the story at any given time.

Thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and HarperAudio for the advanced copies.

Sian Gilbert, author of “She Started It,” is back with another snarkily-titled thriller, “I Did Warn Her.” This time we’re aboard a superyacht with sea-faring mean girls who distinguish themselves only by the secrets they’re hiding and their gossipy rivalries. But not all is well. We know from the prologue that there’s a floating blonde in the ocean, and a couple of stewardesses from previous charters have gone missing.

There are six POVs (one more than “She Started It”): all the identical Barbie stewardesses Sasha, Jade, Lola, Imogen, Effie, and — surprise! — a lookalike escort Jasmine (there for “primary” guest Benjamin’s pleasure). Jasmine is also accompanied by her own body double, Eva, who is accompanying other rich guy Digby. Only chief officer Melinda and chef Runa don’t fit the mold. There are assorted male crew, including Captain Howard. Initially the story is mostly gossipy and it could be a chore to keep track of who is allied with who and who is sleeping with which deckhand (at least the escorts have assigned bed partners), but if you get the mostly full cast audiobook, the six POVs all have distinct voices (even Jasmine as she switches between first person dragon girl and sickly sweet escort Jasmine). The male voices, however, are tad cartoonish when the various female narrators take them on. In any case, the audio makes it very easy to separate all the Ocean Barbies.

The story, as expected, is mostly Final Girls on Below Deck, but it’s sarcastic, smarmy fun. Two of the main characters with POVs earn your empathy, but it takes time. Reactions are over the top (why does every character feel the need to retch when something horrible is divulged?) Everyone (yes, absolutely EVERYONE) is hiding something, and the twists and reveals are also never-ending. I usually have some disdain for a bunch of unreliable narrators, but (and I credit the fun group of narrators) I truly enjoyed the romp across the Atlantic, whether or not the life jackets mysteriously went missing (of course). 4 stars for the story; 5 stars for the audio (although a male voice would have improved things). This will be a good beach read/listen.

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES One of Melinda’s eyes is green.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO We’re at sea and the crew is hard-pressed to borrow the mums that they did for a memorial.

Thank you to HarperCollins, HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for an advanced copies!

I Did Warn Her delivers a sleek, suspenseful locked-room mystery set against the glamorous yet claustrophobic backdrop of a billionaire’s yacht. The luxurious setting contrasts perfectly with the dark secrets and simmering tensions among the gorgeous, guarded crew and guests. The plot twists keep you guessing, and the interplay of rivalries and hidden agendas adds depth to the intrigue. While some character motivations could be fleshed out more, the novel’s fast pace and cleverly layered mystery make it a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of high-stakes, stylish whodunnits.
Thanks, Netgalley, for an early copy of this one!

Thank you William Morrow for my gifted copy! And thank you HarperAudio for my gifted ALC!

What I learned from I Did Warn Her: Do not, under any circumstances, travel on a yacht.

There was so much drama in this book. Catty drama. And a lot of it confused me. Mostly because there was just too much going on, without anything actually happening. I *loved* Sian Gilbert’s previous novel, She Started It. It blew me away! So I was eagerly anticipating her sophomore thriller, and am kind of bummed it didn’t work out for me. Her writing is stellar, though, so I will definitely read whatever she puts out next.

This is one of those books that pulls you in without making a big scene about it. One minute you’re soaking up the sunshine and luxury, and the next you’re side-eyeing everyone and wondering who’s about to snap. Sian Gilbert builds the kind of quiet tension that sneaks up on you, like a storm rolling in under a clear sky.

You won’t know who to trust (spoiler: probably no one), and even when you think you’ve got it figured out… you don’t. And that’s the fun of it.

What makes this one so good:
🛥️ A locked-room feel, but make it luxe
👀 Secrets layered like SPF on a superyacht
💅 Wealth, beauty, and serious mean girl energy
💬 Sharp dialogue and slow-drip tension
😈 That eerie sense that something’s very off

Perfect for when you want your thrillers stylish, unsettling, and just a little bit wicked.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed "She Started It" so I was thrilled to get a copy of this as an ARC.

I enjoy Sian Gilbert's ability to translate reality TV level cattiness onto the page and combine it with all the fun trappings of a thriller.

This wasn't a bad read by any means, but I didn't like it quite as much as "She Started It". The characters are genuinely unlikable and obtuse at times, and the plot was a bit all over the place. There were so many POV characters - all equally self-centered and miserable - when really we just needed one or two. It was to the detriment of the story to be rotating between so many people.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Sasha is trying to escape something traumatic in her life, so she gets a job on a superyacht as a stewardess. She joins fellow stewardesses Jade, Imogen, Euphemia, and Lola. All the stewardesses are almost identical—blonde and gorgeous. They were all lured to the Ophelia by the wages and a chance to leave their mainland problems behind. Sasha is excited to join the crew at first, that is, until she realizes that she is entering a world of secrets and lies. These secrets and lies will lead to the mysterious death of a crew member.

This was my second book by Sian Gilbert. I loved the premise of this, but the execution of it left a few things to be desired. The story is told from multiple POVs, and at times it is hard to keep the characters straight as they are so similar. To top it off, none of the characters in the story are likeable. This one was a slow burn, where nothing very exciting happens until the middle of the story. Once the book takes off, it is enjoyable. I found myself enjoying the twists and turns and especially liking the epilogue. I give it 3/5 stars. If you like slow-burn, locked room thrillers, this one is for you!

I really enjoyed this authors' previous book, She Started It, so I was super excited for this one. I Did Warn Her is a good follow-up. The story takes place on a super-yacht and centers on Sascha. who is hired last minute as a crew member. Stroke of luck.....you would think. She soon learns that the other female crew members all look like her and one of them recently died. Thus, the last-minute open position. No red flags so far, right? Then throw in the lies and backstabbing, missing jewelry and another dead body and we have us a nice, juicy locked-room (yacht) mystery on our hands. I had fun with this one, although the dialogue didn't always flow as well as in the authors' first book. None of the characters are likeable, but I think that is the point and I really did end up liking Sasha. I look forward to more from Sian Gilbert!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Sian Gilbert and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of June 17, 2025.

“I Did Warn Her” is what happens when “Below Deck” gets possessed by “Clue” and everyone’s a suspect. It's like watching a true crime doc on a boat while sipping Prosecco and realizing halfway through that everyone might be a psychopath. You’re on a billionaire’s yacht, surrounded by suspiciously similar-looking women, long-simmering secrets, and the kind of rich-people problems that usually end in murder.

Sasha takes a job as a last-minute replacement stewardess on the Ophelia, which sounds glamorous until you realize it’s basically a floating cult of hot, dead-eyed blondes who all seem allergic to honesty and basic human warmth. Things go off the rails fast, and instead of supporting each other, the crew starts acting like they’re auditioning for a backstabbing reality show set at sea. Alibis, side-eyes, secrets — it’s less “teamwork” and more “don’t get pushed overboard.”

Also, fun little detail — a stewardess disappeared on this same yacht last year. Just vanished. Never solved. Totally normal. No one’s really talking about it, but Sasha can feel it. That electric, skin-crawling sense that history’s about to repeat itself and she might be next. The Ophelia doesn’t just have secrets. It has memory.

The boat’s opulence is giving murder Barbie dreamhouse. Stolen jewelry. Mysterious backstories. Party girls who may or may not be con artists. Everyone’s lying. Everyone’s young and beautiful or rich. Everyone’s casually traumatized. It’s incredible.

We hop between different perspectives like a gossip-fueled game of hot potato, which can be disorienting but also delicious. You start to feel like you’re eavesdropping in real time, except the conversations are all secrets, threats, and low-grade panic. Nobody’s clean. Everybody’s spiraling. It's a reality show, but someone dies for real.

Gilbert nails the tension and the setting. You can practically smell the salt air and the panic sweat. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is claustrophobic, and the vibes are immaculate. But the sheer number of characters? It gets messy. You might need a corkboard and string just to keep the cast straight, and at times it’s hard to tell who you’re supposed to care about. (Spoiler: probably no one.)

It’s juicy, it’s chaotic, it’s exactly the kind of morally swampy thriller you want to read when you need your rich people drama with a body count. It’s messy in ways that work, and messy in ways that could use a life vest. Still, the emotional whiplash was worth it. For me, it lands at a slightly seasick but satisfying 3.5 stars.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect Every Single Blonde on Board

Huge thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC — I boarded the yacht for vibes and stayed for the psychological chaos.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked it better than she deserved jt. This was a different plot with the tons of twists and turns at the end. Some I did not see coming. It was a little confusing with all the different stewardess but it was still somewhat easy to follow.

I’m usually a big fan of locked in mysteries and love books that take place on big ships but sadly this one was a miss. The dialogue felt very YA childish and at a certain point I just didn’t care what happened to any of them.

I did love the multiple POVs though because if I was forced to spend too long in any of them, I would’ve lost my mind. All just very miserable, catty people but hey, some people love books like that.

I know so many people that’ll eat this book up and love it but I’m just not one of them unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

2⭐️

I really enjoyed Sian Gilbert's first book 'She Started It' last year, but this was definitely a sophmore slump for me. Considering I'm terrified of the ocean, I was really expecting this to keep me at the edge of my seat full of suspense. Who would willing take a super yacht across the Atlantic? But the first half of this book was a bit slow and none of the characters were likable. Add to that the fact that almost all of the female characters looked alike and sounded similar in the narrative, it was hard at times to keep track who's POV we were actually following.

Once we saw the first death, things did pick up a little. The motive behind the murders made sense and I was able to follow the clues. But each character was almost a charicture of an evil villain that I really just spent a lot of time rolling my else.

Thanks Netgalley and William Morrow for providing this ARC to me!

As a huge fan of the show “Below Deck”, I knew I had to read this book! For someone who has never been on a yacht, I know way too much about the industry just from watching that show and its spin-offs. I know about bosuns, sky lounges, swim platforms, how crazy the chefs are and how seriously (most) chief stews take their jobs. I also know people start to get on each other’s nerves being together 24/7 in tight quarters, working for people who would never deign to talk to them otherwise. This book was like a season of the show, but with a lot more drama…and a lot more blood.

It’s time for The Ophelia super-yacht to cross the Atlantic, so this won’t be a typical charter for the crew. Aside from Captain Howard and Chief Officer Melinda, we have the deckhands, Drew and Noah, along with the bosun, Axel. Then we have the stewardesses: Jade, Imogen, Euphemia, Lola, and a last-minute addition, Sasha. She is a nurse who wants to try her hand at yachting, and after a stewardess was fired for being pregnant, Sasha took her spot. Then of course we have the primary, Benjamin, his guest Digby, and the two escorts they brought on board to keep them company through the trip.

The creepy thing is that all of the stewardesses look the same. Like, exactly the same - blonde hair, high cheekbones, tan skin and petite bodies. The creepier thing is that a stew died on the last charter, and now it’s happened again. Well, it’s happening - there isn’t just one person dead at the end, and that’s as close to a spoiler as I’ll get. Add that in with some stolen jewelry, a knife missing from the galley, and safety equipment disappearing, and this Atlantic crossing can’t come to an end soon enough. As the book goes along, the suspense increases, making this a page-turning read that you won’t want to put down!

Of course the references and resemblances to “Below Deck” were what pulled me in, but even if you’ve never seen the show, this book is a fantastic locked-room mystery with a ton of suspense and entertaining characters. I read this author’s debut and gave it four stars, but I’m giving their sophomore novel five. If you like mystery, thrills and suspense, this is your book!

(Thank you to William Morrow, Sian Gilbert and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on June 17, 2025.)

First I'll say thank you for opportunity to read this book.
It kept me on my toes with each chapter. A great "who done it?", it was a bit claustrophobic for me since it takes place on a super yacht. It had so many twists and turns, made me change my mind a few times lol. I liked all the different characters and their POVs just give you a glimpse into how people say one thing to your face and another behind your back.
Really enjoyed this read.

I love Sian Gilbert’s writing! I love the growth in Sasha and the healing that she helped Tessa/Jasmine go through. The epilogue got me! I really did not see that coming!!!

Sascha is running from her past and lands a last minute job as a stewardess aboard a charter yacht for ultra rich passengers.

Her new coworkers are strange. They all look alike. Same hair, same features, same uniforms. When people start dying Sascha is determined to find out who on board is the killer.

The women on board are all very catty and conniving and the men think they are so charming. If you enjoy TV shows like Below Deck or reality TV in general you may enjoy this!

I have added Sian Gilbert to my favorites list. This is my second book that I’ve read of hers and of course, it was full of suspense and twists I didn’t see coming at all!!! It definitely kept me guessing the whole time. This one is a must add to your TBR!!!

Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow & Sian Gilbert for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!!!

Sian Gilbert delivers a gripping, twist-filled thriller in I Did Warn Her. With sharp writing and well-drawn characters, the story keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. It's a chilling tale of secrets, betrayal, and revenge that’s hard to put down. A must-read for fans of psychological suspense.