Upcoming Unreliable Narrators Releases

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
This book is a quick, effortless read, but good writing cannot compensate for a subpar plot. The story alternates between a few different POVs in the present day with occasional glimpses into the past, yet the pacing frequently hits speed bumps due to unnecessarily long chapters that over-explain and over-detail things the characters are doing in place of anything of meaning actually happening. Part of the struggle stems from an overly stripped-down cast: beyond Colby, Cassidy, Sienna, and Liam from their past, there is virtually no one else involved. With so few players on the board, the narrative lacks depth, leaving the conflict entirely dependent on every single character lacking basic common sense and refusing to communicate like actual human beings.
Having such an isolated, unlikable group makes staying invested an uphill battle. Colby is exhausting to follow because he acts like a complete doormat, making it difficult to sympathize with him or care about his fate. Cassidy and Sienna offer little relief, coming across as thoroughly unlikable rather than compelling or morally complex. By the time the central twist arrived, the familiar setup made it completely expected rather than shocking.
If you like small-cast domestic thrillers, multiple POVs driven by miscommunication, and fast-paced, easy reads, then you may enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #YouMadeMeDoThis

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this title.
Trying to piece together a mystery where everyone might be lying is exactly my kind of reading experience. The short chapters keep the story moving at a medium to fast pace, and the structure of jumping between past and present immediately pulled me in. I spent the entire time second-guessing every character. Ruth was a tough person to connect with. On the surface, she comes across as meek, but the further into the narrative I got, she just gave off a manipulative vibe that made it hard to trust her. It made for a fascinating, if somewhat frustrating, dynamic. On the flip side, the detective duo of Ben and Farrell really worked. They brought completely different energies to the case, and their partnership felt balanced and genuinely interesting to follow.
While the buildup was tense, the story just dragged a bit near the end, slowing the momentum down right when things should have been accelerating. But that final chapter completely redeemed the slower sections—it delivered an amazing note to close on.
If you like dual timelines, manipulative characters, and complex detective partnerships, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #EverythingSheDidntSay