This story is told from multiple view points. Avery, a boisterous and excitable girl, Jax, a quiet and observant boy, and a third character who writes a journal that Avery and Jax find about a summer at the family camp where Avery and Jax are staying. The story unfolds bit by bit as the kids try to figure out what happened to their parents and their aunts, particularly the one who died. This is an interesting story with some great plot twists that will keep readers interests piqued. I think this would be best for upper middle grade or middle school at least because of the conversations of emotional abuse by a parent as well as the sister who dies.

In WHAT HAPPENED THEN, when their families reunite to spend the summer on an off-grid island that’s been in their family for years, cousins Avery and Jax unravel a long-held family secret. Their Aunt Robbie has called the family together to help restore the neglected property. Avery is excited about learning more about her family, while Jax is more reserved. When they each find pages from a diary from long ago, they work together to find the remaining pages and learn about the events that transpired on the island years ago that changed their family forever.

Told in the alternating perspectives of Avery and Jax interspersed with journal entries from the fateful summer long ago that is the key to the fracture that has haunted their parents for years, the story is fast paced and gripping. The remote setting is vividly described and adds to the tension in the story, which amps up with an unexpected twist. This one’s a great choice for readers who love emotional family stories with complex relationships and those who enjoy tense, well-paced mysteries.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this MG mystery/family drama. I loved the alternating perspectives between Avery and Jax and how they related to one another and to their extended family.

Avery and Jax are cousins, but they don't see each other much. Even though Avery's mom and Jax's dad are siblings, their families haven't been close--and no one seems willing to talk about their youngest sister, who died mysteriously years ago. But now Aunt Roberta has reunited everyone on an old family property, and Avery & Jax are determined to find out what happened. Thanks to some diary pages hidden around the island, they might have the chance, but will it be enough to heal old wounds?

This suspenseful narrative alternates between Avery's voice and Jax's, allowing the reader to access and experience the story from multiple points of view. The diary entries, written when the adult siblings were tweens, adds another perspective as well. Avery and Jax are well drawn, with distinct personalities and narrative voices, and readers will enjoy the development of their relationship. The mystery element unfolds successfully as Avery and Jax learn more about their parents' childhoods and time on the island as kids; this also adds interesting layers to Downing's exploration of various family dynamics. Part multi-generational family story, part summer adventure, and part engaging mystery, this book has a lot to offer middle grade readers!

What Hapoened Then is an emotional journey to unraveling the reason behind a family trauma that happened in the long ago past. It’s been a huge taboo topic and has eaten away at the family for years. Avery and Jax are the key players in the quest to uncover the mystery of a past traumatic event.

Avery and Jax are cousins visiting a family island for the first time. Most of the family members are estranged and being on the island is very obviously awkward if not painful for the adults and as a result passes down to the kids. . The children don’t know what happened in the past causing such tension among the family, but they are victims of the damage it has caused. These two are determined and hopeful that if they figure out what tragic event occurred, ,they can confront their family and it could lead to healing.

The story unfolds slowly but is really well done. It’s a beautiful setting and the characters and their dynamics are emotionally complex. The main characters are quite likable but struggle with identity. Jax was not masculine enough for his father and Avery is very self conscience and views herself as too much and annoying as she feels others perceive her.

I highly recommend this novel for readers in grades 4-7. Topics include a debilitating illness, a stay at home dad, parents on the verge of divorce, a workaholic parent and children seeking love and acceptance accompanied by a life they can enjoy and find purpose.

Avery and Jax are cousins who couldn’t be any different, Avery is outspoken and prone to just blurt out whatever is on her mind. Jax is more quiet and reserved and does what he can to not be seen. The families end up reuniting for one last summer on the family’s secluded island where they are unplugged basically. While helping clean up the attic they find a diary missing pages and Avery just so happens to have a page from the same diary thus setting Avery and Jax off on a hunt to find the rest of the pages and solve the secret their families don’t speak about. This was a very fast read that deals with finding ones self and not being embarrassed, secrets and how guilt can tear you apart, if you talk about things you can help each other through the hard times.

Ohhhh this book is so good! I read it almost in one sitting. WHAT HAPPENED THEN is a dual-pov MG book told from the perspectives of cousins, Avery and Jax, along with diary entries from one of their aunts, who died under mysterious circumstances at a young age. This book captures both the cozy freedom of summer when you're a kid and the frustration of not being taken seriously because of your age. Jax and Avery are very different kiddos, but their budding friendship and appreciation of one another's differences are one of the best parts of the book. I adored this tender novel and hope it makes all of the best-of lists at the end of the year.

A compelling middle-school mystery with lots of family drama. Love the dynamic between the two cousins, Avery and Jax, as they channel Nancy Drew to literally piece together what happened to their deceased aunt.

This was a beautiful, moving, and sad story. I was hooked from the beginning but also bummed out a lot of the time haha. Overall very emotional mystery that I would recommend but maybe not for sensitive kiddos.

I was sucked into this story from the very beginning! Hearing the story from the two perspectives of Avery and Jax kept it interesting and moving. I love how the two cousins found acceptance in each other, even when they didn’t necessarily accept themselves. Avery and Jax are spending part of their summer on an island where their parents, aunts, and uncles spent summers years before. Yet since those years, the family has fallen apart. Avery and Jax are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery of why the family fell apart. The juxtaposition of the two characters is clear - Avery is loud (to her own annoyance sometimes) while Jax is quiet and retrospective. Yet somehow these two become friends and allies in their search. While some of what they learn during their time on the island is sad, the relationships between the two brightens the story. I think young readers will enjoy the mystery of what happened on the island years ago, and the emotions and relationships of the characters will fill out the story. I will definitely recommend this to my readers!

Erin Soderberg Downing writes such gripping novels that send you into a whirlwind of adventure right next to the characters and What Happened Then is no exception. I was so attached to every character and their piece of the story even several days later I am still thinking about it!

Normally, I can finish a book and jump right into another one. This one knocked me off my feet! I've just been sitting here in awe for a few hours, unable to even think about moving on to another one. Erin Soderberg Downing writes characters and emotions in a gut punching, meaningful way and the stories just speak volumes about human existence and what it means to be a friend, a family member and a community member. This is true with the Peach family, this is true with Controlled Burn and Just Keep Walking, and now this is absolutely true with What Happened Then. The setting will pull readers in, the mysterious diary pages will keep readers enthralled , the relationships amongst the family members will keep readers wondering and feeling all the feels. This book is one I will absolutely be adding to my library and recommending. Incredibly well done!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book. In What Happened Then, a family was torn apart by the death of a younger sibling, but no one is willing to discuss the events of that summer. Brought together one last time to the island, this fractured family must face the truth while helping another sibling through an unexpected diagnosis. The unfolding mystery is told from the perspective of two cousins, Avery and Jax, that are looking for acceptance in their own ways, and the long lost pages of a child's diary that are found hidden around the island, who also just wanted nothing more than to be included by her siblings. Will Avery and Jax be able to crack the case and help their family heal before it is too late?

Erin Soderberg Downing has hit it out of the park with her latest middle grade novel. Set on an off the grid island accessed only by boat, and told in alternating narratives, cousins Avery and Jax are summoned to the island with their families by their favorite aunt. Their parents seem apprehensive, even annoyed to be returning to where they spent their family summers as children. Avery and Jax are determined to uncover the secretive cloud that hangs over their parents and their siblings, a cloud that never left the island, a mystery that no one speaks of and likely has to do with the death of their sister who is never mentioned or named. The adults, however, are hyper-focused on clearing out the family cabins, cleaning up the island, and preparing it for new owners. Between random moments of joy and happy memories, Avery and Jax try to get the grown ups to shed light on what happened, but find only unwillingness to open up and share details of the pain that accompanied the good times. Instead the two teens are forced to piece together what happened through journal entries randomly hidden around the island and solve the mystery before their parents finish the clean up and pack up to return home. This story has great twists and turns and is hard to put down. Kids are going to love it.

Cousins Jax and Avery take turns telling the story of the summer their dying aunt gathers their estranged family at the rundown summer lake home. They learn of a deceased aunt that no one is willing to talk about and want to unravel the family mystery when they start finding scattered pages of an old diary. Avery and Jax keep digging, hoping to bring their family closer together. The more they find, the more they learn that there might be a reason the older generation doesn't want to discuss what happened to their sister so long ago.

Not just because of the island setting, but this story had echoes of the young adult thriller "We Were Liars," one of my favorite YA novels. This is definitely a middle-grade appropriate version, though, and I can't wait to add it to my mystery shelves.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Scholastic Press for the eARC.

Well written. A thoughtful story about how trauma can deeply impact a family. The two narrators are likable and relatable. There are a few tangents in the story that felt unnecessary and I would have loved to see the nastiest character have a little more learning and growth. Overall though, I enjoyed it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5
What Happened Then messed with my head in the best way.

It’s giving ✨emotional damage✨ but like… beautifully written. Tessa goes back to the place where something awful happened years ago—and slowly, piece by piece, the truth starts unraveling. The vibes? Moody lake days, buried memories, messy family energy, and that eerie feeling you get when you know something’s off but can’t quite name it.

This book is soft and heavy at the same time. Not a thriller, but it keeps you hooked. Quietly intense. Thoughtful. Sad. Real. And that one reveal?? Yeah, I had to just sit there for a second.

If you’re into slow-burn emotional reads with mystery layered in, this one’s calling your name.

Read if you like:
🧠 memory gaps + buried secrets
🌫️ that lowkey eerie aesthetic
💔 soft but soul-punchy writing
🏞️ nostalgic small town/lakehouse vibes

Not me still thinking about it days later.

Review 8.5/10✨ This book is a very specific middle grade trope that I really enjoy. It’s a kind of emotional journey to understanding family trauma through uncovering the mystery of a past traumatic event.

In this story we follow two cousins visiting a family island for the first time. Most of the family members are estranged and being on the island is very obviously painful for the adults. The kids don’t know what happened in the past but they live with the damage done by it. They’re hopeful that if they figure out what happened they can confront their family and it could lead to healing.

I thought everything in the story was really well done. The setting was beautiful and the characters and their dynamics were so emotionally complex. The two MCs are very lovable but struggled with how they viewed themselves because of how various adults treated them. Jax was not masculine enough for his father and Avery seemed to be neurodivergent and saw herself as too much and annoying through others eyes. I wish I could give them both hugs.

The mystery unfolded at a great pace and I thought the ending was wonderful. Overall I highly recommend this one to middle grade lovers. It’s out July 26th and filled with summer vibes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for a copy of this book.

Erin Soderberg Downing is an absolute genius when it comes to crafting engaging stories that are full of heart. What Happened Then is a beautiful book about family, tragedy, and healing. Avery and her cousin Jax are on their family's forgotten summer island, trying to uncover the mystery of why the family stopped going there each summer, and what tore the family apart. It's a fantastic middle grade book that will inspire kids and their families to spend more time together, to enjoy the great outdoors, and to lean on each other when going through tough times. Outstanding and highly recommended!

Wow. Did I read this in one day? Yes. Did I shed a tear or two? Yes. I enjoyed Erin Soderberg Downing's Just Keep Walking and Controlled Burn, so I was anxious to read What Happened Then. What I wasn't expecting was liking this book as much as I did. I loved the mystery, the strong family themes, and the different timelines. Teenagers will be able to relate to the two main characters in the story. The book handles difficult topics such as accidental death, illness, anxiety, and the complexity of familial relationships in a beautiful, hopeful way. I can't wait to share this story with my serious readers at our middle school. I think it would be great as a read aloud in the classroom and will recommend to teachers. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy.