I shouldn't have done this.
😭😭😭

I shouldn't have requested an ARC of "You Shouldn't Have Done That".

WHY?

I was not the right reader for this book.

I prefer books with well-developed characters and a plotline that is believable and not disjointed.

Based on the publisher's blurb, I was wishing/hoping for a "my child is missing" book similar to Dervla McTiernan's "What Happened To Nina?.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Cat Protano.

Cat Protano's narration was lackluster.

Since the book unfolded from multiple POVs, I most likely would have enjoyed the book more with a multi-cast narration.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My review is an outlier review, and I urge readers to read the book's many glowing reviews.

Are you looking for your next thriller? You Shouldn’t Have Done That by Liz Alterman is available next week. This was a good one!

What happens when one young man goes missing when a pair of best friends send their sons out skiing together? This is exactly Jane and Ivy's predicament. Cal is missing and though Brad is his roommate, he hasn't reported him. 

Wow, this book! I had a feeling there was going to be much more underneath the basic storyline and I was right. There were so many secrets and twists in this one, it was so exciting to listen to on audio. With on point narration, I was hooked from start to finish.

This fell slightly below 3 stars for me, but I'm rounding up because, although the story itself wasn't one I ended up liking much, the actual writing style was great. I loved the multiple POVs & short chapters. The beginning of this book started strong & I was interested to see where things would go, however, things fell off for me once the Cal chapters began. Things were happening, but nothing felt surprising or thrilling. I think what contributed to this feeling was the fact that I hated every single character.

I don't need to like every character in book. In fact, I think it's great when there's a good mix of likeable & unlikable characters, as long as they're well-written & believable. In this case, they were written well, but not having a single likeable one caused me to not care one way or the other what happened to anyone, dulling the experience. Overall, while this wasn't a great read for me, I'd definitely read more by this author. Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for my copy.

This book blew away any expectation I had of it.
While I’m not a HUGE fan of multiple POV, this one delivered. It wasn’t confusing. I could shift from one character to the other easily. I could not stop listening. Very well written and I could see this being a movie. Love this!!

Brad and Cal are roommates and friends. When they go skiing one day, Brad hurts his knee again, and Cal goes ahead of him and leaves the slopes. Cal is not seen again. So while Brad is dealing with pill addiction and chronic pain, the cops show up to do a welfare check on Cal. Brad doesn't know what happened to cal, but also seems very out of it due to his condition. What happened to Cal? This book has it all: addiction, pain, entitlement, enabling parents, sibling rivalry etc. Good book. Very easy to listen to.

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Best friends Jane and Ivy’s bond shatters when Jane’s son vanishes and Ivy’s son was the last to see him. As the search escalates, the family members become suspicious and their loyalties crumble.

𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
The story touches on dark themes like addiction and betrayal, but it’s pacey and light - not raw or gritty.

The multiple POV would have been cool with a full cast audiobook, but the narrator did a great job and totally matched the perky, impassioned, suspenseful vibe.

The characters are deeply flawed, and more than half are truly unlikable. That said, the structure, multiple POVs and fast pace kept me engaged.

The reveals and twists were fun but I wasn’t blown away. I did like that the ending remained true and wasn’t tied up in a sugary sweet HEA.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This is a quick, bingeable read. It’s not a standout thriller, but I could see it making a great vacation pick. And since it’s set over Christmas, it’d work as a fun little stocking stuffer too.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.

🎧 Narrated by Cat Protano
📖 Publishes 07•29•25 | 366 pages | 10h 10m

Liz Alterman, a favorite author among domestic thriller fans, returns following The House on Cold Creek Lane (top audiobooks of 2024) with her latest spine-chilling psychological suspense—YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT.

This pulse-pounding, riveting tale explores a lifelong friendship that turns toxic after a joint family ski trip takes a sinister turn, leading to a web of secrets and lies.

Prepare for a gripping, addictive novel that navigates the intricate dynamics of family, betrayal, friendship, revenge, and the enigmatic secrets that push us to our limits. The plot, filled with unexpected twists, is a rollercoaster of suspense and unpredictability, keeping you on the edge of your seat and eager for more.

Keep your friends close. Your enemies closer.

About...

Jane Whitaker, mother of Cal, and Ivy Chapman, mother of Brad, have been best friends for twenty years. Their friendship began when their sons, Cal and Brad, attended the same preschool.

Cal Whitaker and Brad Chapman, now roommates, join their families for a ski trip to Wyoming. This seemingly innocent trip to an Airbnb in December becomes the setting for a series of events that will change their lives forever.

However, their friendship is tested when only ONE of the boys returns from skiing. Where is Cal, and why didn't Brad report him missing?

Things heat up with suspicions, and tensions are high when Cal's sister, Emerson, posts online, igniting a battle against Brad.

The two mothers find themselves on opposite sides of the issue. How far will each mother go to protect her family? And what happens when saving one son means destroying the other?

The deepest and darkest secrets begin to UNRAVEL....

My thoughts...

Welcome to the DARK side of domesticity, where no one is as they appear. Trust NO one. The title 'You Shouldn't Have Done That' is a fitting reflection of the characters' actions and the consequences they face. You must read and discover the who, why, and how!

A sizzler of a thriller!
Unpredictable. Wicked. Super-twisty. Intense Suspense.
The month of December has never been so chilling.

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT takes a disturbing look at friendship, trust, addictions, dangers of social media, and obsession in the modern world, and how far we will go to protect our secrets and those we love. How well do you know those closest to you?

The mystery of the missing son leads to a sinister past of dark, twisted, shocking secrets and MURDER, with a cast of vile characters out for revenge. The chilling nature of the story will keep you thrilled and excited throughout.

The author cleverly builds suspense and tension, leading to one twist and surprise after another. Multi-layered, complex, and twisty —told from alternating POVs (Brad, Cal, Ivy, Jane, Emerson, Lincoln), keeping you on the edge of your seat to try and uncover this mystery.

Mind-bending and terrifying. Lives are IMPLODING. A shared history and DNA hold families together, but nothing can restore their bond or keep them close moving forward.

Blame, escape, survive, or die? Choices and consequences. Do not expect to like any of the characters, as they are highly dysfunctional and deliciously wicked, but you cannot turn away. Dark and unsettling, you are not quite sure where the author is leading you, but the element of surprise keeps you engaged and excited throughout the book.

From a ski slope in Wyoming to a pond and finally to a cabin fire in Georgia, the story unfolds through the perspectives of multiple characters. We delve into their minds and witness their transformation from seemingly normal to unhinged and murderous as their past demons and present circumstances collide, driving them to extreme actions.

The book is filled with family drama and psychological suspense, featuring a twisty ending that will leave fans of domestic thrillers thoroughly satisfied.

Alterman deftly employs alternating perspectives, allowing readers to gain insight into the minds of these complex characters. Her style is engaging and surprising. I also recommend her previous book, The House On Cold Creek Lane, for a taste of her compelling storytelling.

Audiobook...

I had the privilege of reading the e-book and later listening to the audiobook narrated by Cat Protano, who delivered an engaging performance for all voices, keeping me hooked to the end with mystery and intrigue in this chilling domestic suspense. The audiobook version is an excellent choice for those who prefer to listen to their thrillers.

Recs...

This one is for fans of the author and those who enjoy twisty family dramas, suburban scandals, and domestic suspense. Fans of Sally Hepworth, Mary Kubica, Samantha M. Bailey, Jenova Rose, Aggie Blum Thompson, Lisa Jewell, KL Slater, Emily Shiner, Robin Mahle, and Miranda Rijks will find much to like here.

QA Interview...

Be sure to add Liz's upcoming Claire Casey novel, Had Enough (so funny), a heartwarming and witty mom-com (June 3, 2025), to your summer TBR list. The author could be a stand-up comedian. (She is!) Check out my fun #AuthorElevatorSeries QA with Liz!

Thanks to Inkubator Books, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for a gifted advanced reading and listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: July 29, 2025 (Audio)
My Rating: 5 Stars
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You Shouldn’t Have Done That by Liz Alterman is a gripping thriller that delves into the unraveling of two families' friendship after a ski trip turns into a nightmare. When Cal goes missing and Brad becomes the prime suspect, tensions rise and secrets begin to surface. Told through multiple points of view, the story keeps you guessing until the very end. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t stop listening. Cat Protano’s narration adds depth and intensity, perfectly bringing the characters and suspense to life.

Thank you to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for letting me read this ARC.

You Shouldn’t Have Done That (audio) 4⭐️

Two families that have been closed since the preschool years get torn apart when one family’s son goes missing and the other family’s son is the prime suspect. This was told from multiple POVs which was insightful to hear how they were each perceived by others compared to how they saw things from their side. Packed with inflated egos, jealousy, guilt, selfishness, and mystery…I ate up every bit of it.

Loved the narration! All the characters were well done and their essence was captured just right.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Audio Pub Date Jul 29 2025

Release: July 29, 2025
Author: Liz Alterman
Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Rating: 3.75 ★ 

Jane and Ivy have been best friends for twenty years, their bond forged through motherhood as their sons, Cal and Brad, grew up side by side. But that lifelong friendship shatters when the two young men take a ski trip together—and only Brad comes back. Cal is missing, and no one knows why. Even more troubling, Brad never reported him missing.
As Cal's family grows increasingly desperate, suspicions start to form—especially about Brad. When Cal’s sister Emerson takes to social media to plead for answers, it sets off a firestorm of accusations that turns public opinion against Brad and rips both families apart. The mothers, once inseparable, now find themselves in a painful standoff, torn between protecting the sons they love and facing the truth that could destroy them.
This is a gripping story about trust, loyalty, and how far a parent will go when their child’s life—or reputation—is at stake.
This book was a total rollercoaster. Right from the start, I was hooked—and it only got more intense as the layers of the story unraveled. It’s technically a missing person mystery, but it stands out from others in the genre with its fresh take, strong character development, and sharp pacing.
What really worked for me was how well the characters were written. Jane and Ivy, the two mothers, have such a believable and complicated friendship, and the tension between them as the mystery unfolds felt raw and real. Their sons, Cal and Brad, were just as compelling—especially as you try to figure out what really happened during that ski trip. Even the secondary characters, like Cal’s sister Emerson, added a lot of depth.
The plot is full of twists that kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another reveal would shake things up. I appreciated the fast pace, short chapters, and the rotating perspectives—it gave the story energy and helped me connect with each character’s mindset. Even the quiet moments felt charged with suspense.
Overall, this is a sharp, emotionally driven thriller about friendship, family, loyalty, and how far people will go to protect the ones they love—even when it means turning on each other. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Liz Alterman.

Favorite quote:
“It’s ironic how the ones you care for most are the ones that are most easily able to crawl inside you and do damage.”

I had the opportunity to listen to an advanced audio copy of *You Shouldn't Have Done That* by Liz Alterman, thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley. This chilling psychological thriller follows the story of two best friends whose sons go on a skiing trip together—but only one returns. What happened to the other becomes the central mystery that slowly unravels.

This was a quick and engaging listen. I really appreciated how the characters were more layered and dynamic than in many thrillers I’ve read recently. Alterman took her time with the details, building tension in a way that kept me intrigued throughout. This was my first book by Liz Alterman, and I was impressed by how she maintained suspense while weaving in emotional complexity. I'm definitely interested in reading more of her work. A solid and satisfying psychological thriller.

Cal Whitaker has been the golden child since birth. His mother's favorite. Everyone wants to be near him. Attractive, charismatic, fun. His best friend, Brad, is the opposite. He had a lisp as a child, he is kind of nerdy, forgettable. While natives of New Jersey, they are both ski instructors in Wyoming. They go skiing together for leisure- one comes home injured and the other doesn't come home at all.

Cal's younger sister, Emerson, is desperate for attention. She has lived in Cal's shadow her entire life. She uses Cal's disappearance as a way to gain social media followers. She questions Brad's actions and gains national attention. Suddenly, Brad is being hounded by everyone.

The once close families begin to fall apart. They begin blaming each other and it gets out of control. The Whitakers are desperate to find Cal. The Chapmans are fighting for Brad, convinced he is innocent in all of this. It is clear that the families' relationship is irrevocably broken, but will they all even survive?

This is an example of unlikeable characters done right. Instead of hating them and wishing them off the page, I was actively wishing for their demise. I reveled in every obstacle thrown at them. And I was invested in finding out if they receive their comeuppance.

There were plenty of twists and turns. Some predictable, most not. Nearly everything had some sort of surprise element to it.

Cat Protano narrates the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of two families and one deadly secret. Jane Whitaker and Ivy Chapman are best friends, but their friendship is tested when their adult sons go skiing in Wyoming and only one returns. Friendship quickly turns to suspicion as Liz Alterman leads the reader on a twisty path to the conclusion filled with lots of suspense, red herrings, and twists. Thank you to NetGalley and to Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to have this early listen of You Shouldn’t Have Done That by Liz Alterman.

Jane Whitaker and Ivy Chapman have been best friends for 20 years, ever since their sons were in preschool. Their close bond is tested when Cal and Brad go skiing in Wyoming and only Brad returns. The characters in this book are mostly unlikeable but that just made want to keep reading to see what would happen to them or what they would do next. I liked the suspense of the story and buildup. The characters all had a well written backstory which I appreciated and that we got each of their POVs. This book had good twists and a surprising ending. Check it out!

Full disclosure it took me a hot minute to get into this book and for the first several chapters I wanted to DNF it. But I don’t DNF ARC books ever which in this case served me very well as I ended up really enjoying it. Why mention this? Well so you put through the boring first 20% to get to the meat of things and you get a solid domestic thriller.

I consumed the audiobook for this one which to be forthright added to my initial opinion as I personally wasn’t jiving with the narrator, Cat Protano’s voice. But that’s a me issue as she spoke at a decent pace that was a bit on the slower side of typical but not significantly. My challenge was in her tone and pitch which was high pitched , her diction and her transition to male voices just wasn’t meeting base expectations for a voice actor. More specifically is her diction wasn’t crisp. The ends of words, particularly when they ended in a “s” was muddied and in distinct. She also had a nasal quality to her voice which putting it all together did not sound at all like the ages of the 2 FMCs which are on their 40’s with adult children. However, her performance for Emerson, an entitled, spoiled influencer was perfect.

Unfortunately, what made it worse is when I undoubtedly sped up the playback rate it made the pitch even higher but on the other hand you didn’t focus on the lack of crispness which was a positive. In the end sucked it up and eventually got used to it. However, as I recommend this book, which I do, if you have the choice, I suggest the physical or ebook to enjoy.

As far as the prose itself, I enjoyed the “twists” or rather the various subplots as they weren’t twists per se. So while this is classified as a thriller, it’s more that bad incidents take place and you get to see the angles of what’s going on but all the characters don’t know. So they are living in suspense but the reader isn’t.

I will say that the characters are not at all likable. So much so that I the ending was just a natural consequence. That sounds awful but it is fiction. Lastly, what I appreciated is within the context and world the author created (as the situations themselves are quite unbelievable but again, fiction), the character interactions seemed natural. The prose didn’t fall victim to convenient tropes which made it fun to read.


I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Dreamscape Media through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.

⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as so don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again.

This book was one of the most grating I've read all year, and I have to wonder how it has so many positive reviews on Goodreads. Every single character is unlikable and it's hard to see how either the mothers or the sons ever came to be friends in the first place, since they clearly despise each other even before Cal goes missing. I think I would have liked this book, plotwise, had the author not tried to maximize the drama and suffering tied to each character. It's the kind of book where everything goes wrong for everyone all the time, and that becomes exhausting.

No spoilers, but the ending is also extremely unsatisfying. It made me wish I could get the hours back that I spent listening!

The narrator did a fine job, by the way. No issues there.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!