This book is full of twists and turns
The pace is steady but then the twists hit you
The authors writing style is very much show and not tell which is something that I don’t like
An ok book 📕

I’m afraid I struggled with this book . I almost gave in 25% in but after reading the reviews on Net Galley I continued to see the twist 39% in . It did get a bit better after that and the last 25% of the book was quite good . Having said that I’m afraid I wouldn’t recommend this book . I wasn’t keen on the style of writing. Only 3 stars from me

‘Lisa is running.
She has taken her child, Jack, and she has run from his father.
Lisa thinks she's safe.
She's found a remote house where no one will be able to find them.
Lisa is about to wake up in her worst nightmare.
And now she must face what she's tried to escape.
Risking everything to protect her little boy, Lisa knows that in order to survive she will have to fight, but it's hard to face someone you loved, especially someone you still love, who knows who you really are - and what you are really capable of.
Family is everything. What would you do to protect it? ‘

Although I found this fast paced and twisty it was a bit too twisty as thrillers go for me!

The first big - what?!?- happens at around 40% in and I had to go back to see if I’d missed something. I wasn’t sure if I’d read it correctly.

The characters were all quite ambiguous and o couldn’t work out whether I liked Lisa or not. As for Nick- well I’ll leave that to others to decide. He was probably the most complex character out of everyone.

I would definitely read more by this author - I have her first novel which I will most likely read shortly to see if she likes the unexpected in her books.

I wasn't sure about this book not being a mother, but having read it I'm glad I did. It is interesting to see what a mother would go to to protect her child.
An interesting story, which was well written with very believable characters.
Not a book for everyone but I enjoyed it.

Kate Bradley’s second novel is a hard-hitting psychological thriller that covers a number of sensitive topics, not all of which are obvious from the bare-bones premise that is necessary so as not to reveal spoilers. Needless to say there is a lot more going on as as the author scratches the surface to reveal the dysfunctionality of one toxic family. The opening forty percent of this book reads like a pretty standard domestic abuse storyline with a friend approaching nurse, Lisa, to address the extensive bruising they have noticed and urging her to leave her policeman husband, Nick. The book follows a dual timeline with a ‘before’ narrative showing things at home escalating and Lisa self-medicating with painkillers to blur the edges and ultimately fleeing with her son, Jack, to a remote cottage in Hereford. In the ‘now’ narrative Lisa has run from Jack’s father and will do anything to keep her boy safe but when she comes to on the kitchen floor with her hands tied and a kitchen knife missing, she has the fight of her life facing her in order to protect her family.

I found the start disappointingly prosaic and felt the author broke the classic rule of show, don’t tell with everything the reader gets to know about Lisa being told and selectively disclosed via the narrative. Whilst this was straightforward enough a jarringly abrupt twist occurs at forty percent of the way through that I had to re-read four times as it proved so confusing. Although both the ‘before’ and ‘now’ timelines are told in the first-person by Lisa the writing is fact-oriented and far less overwrought than might be expected for someone in her position and her reliability as a narrator does not feel like an issue, which made what what came before the twist feel intentionally misleading. The last sixty percent includes a plethora of twists to the point where it felt like the author’s priority was to bamboozle her readers as opposed to delivering an emotive story with realistic and well-defined characters. If you’re after twists however, this book may well satisfying but for me the book never recovered from the dodgy first twist let alone the salvo in the later stages that felt borderline ridiculous. What the story does illustrate is how far a person might go to keep their loved ones safe as well as the emotional toll and pressures of long-term abuse. Although the second half was far more compelling and ratcheted up the tension I was disappointed that I got to end of the story feeling like I didn’t really know or care for any of the three main characters.

As well as domestic abuse and addiction issues the story does include an incident of animal cruelty which is recalled at any and every opportunity. I didn’t think this was strictly necessary and it should be noted that the book does not shy away from some dark and harrowing moments and is not recommended for readers of a sensitive disposition.

I nearly gave up on this book, but I'm glad I persevered. I found the first half slow and confusing which resulted in my attention span wearing thin. It did affect my reading mojo sadly and I struggled to pick the book up again. I read some non spoiler reviews which made me curious enough to continue reading. About half way through there was a big twist, infact I had to go back a few pages because I thought I'd missed something, wow, I didn't see that coming at all, so looking back, the first half was actually quite clever. After that I couldn't get enough of the book, I was desperate to find out what happened. I did want to give Lisa a shake though, I found her frustrating, but that just added to the story and the need to find out what was the truth and what wasn't.
Don't give up on this book if you're struggling, it does speed up and gets quite fast paced.

I was looking forward to reading this, the blurb was one that made me instantly want to read it.
A woman running with her child from an abusive relationship to find safety for them both, however, I found the first half so confusing, I had to backtrack several times, there were a lot of shocking and disturbing things that happen and I think this may have added to the confusion but it turned out to be such a good thriller with lots of twists and turns, and during the second half of the book things started to become clear and I understood what was actually happening.
There are several triggers in this book, domestic abuse, animal cruelty and addiction.
It was a good book, the storyline once I ‘got’ it was brilliant. I will be looking for more books from Kate Bradley in the future.

Well even though the book was full of awful subject matter (child abuse and domestic abuse, even some drug abuse) it’s was a fantastic book and dealt with all of the above sensitively and well. It was full or twists, just when you thought you knew what was happening it all got turned on it’s head again, I’m like ah come on now 😂 a literacy gem of a book for me and one I’ll recommend to others even tho the subject is dark!

Firstly thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. Today is my turn on the book tour.
This book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
I read this book in one sitting and I will be rereading it again as I just loved it that much!
It was fast paced, the characters were likeable and you found yourself routing for the characters and sympathising with them.
The book was full of twists and turns and is so well written that I thought I was there in the book.
After reading a lot of “same” thrillers, this book is different from the rest.
Thriller fans. Grab yourself a copy!!!

I nearly DNF 3 times. I probably should’ve, but the 2nd time I got to 60% and I couldn’t after I’d got so far. The first part of the book was very predictable and I honestly thought I knew the plot and where it was going then BOOM! It literally flips upside down. Now normally, I LOVE that and I’m racing through the book, but this just didn’t do it to me. It was all abit too much, the twists were good but they were definitely a what?! For me, but not in a good sense.

I hated the main character, I felt sorry for her at parts and I do understand how she was etc but I just couldn’t warm to her at all. And that’s probably what made me dislike the book more, it was just abit hard to believe at points.

The ending was good, and I definitely understand how it came together, but it’s not a book I’d jump at reading again. Also, there was sooo many triggers in the book. I’m not one for pointing them out as I do like dark reads, but once again, this was just too much.

It wasn’t for me, and I can’t lie and give it a rating that isn’t accurate on how I review. It’s definitely been the hardest review to write for a long time and I really am disappointed I didn’t enjoy this.

This fast paced contemporary psychological thriller hits the ground running with an opening chapter which sets the seal for an incredibly thrilling story which is split between time frames which are quite simply explained as now and before.

In both sections we get to know Lisa who is caring for her boy, Jack, in an atmosphere which is fraught with danger. Lisa must get away with Jack to try and keep them both safe.

This description of domestic abuse is an uncomfortable read but the author does a really good job of making everything seem really plausible and so realistic that these characters could be people you meet in your daily life.

The author does a great job of getting you invested in all the characters. I was genuinely surprised with how the story eventually played out.

What I Did is a clever psychological thriller which grabs your attention from the start and turns the pages themselves.

First off I'll just say that this will be a hard review to do without giving anything away so it will be short and sweet!

Kate Bradley has been really clever in her writing for this book as she puts everything you know and believe onto a plate and then starts it spinning and when it slows down she spins it again!

A great plot with a LOT of twists and turns and even more suspense.

In short the story centres around a family and the huge topic of domestic violence and just how far you would go to protect those who you love.

Told in the narrative of past and present there ate alot of shocks and revelations but amazingly no drama. The author hasnt just shoved it's in to shock you for no reason, each and every part of this story has obviously been planned so meticulously and it shows.

Its definitely a story that makes you evaluate your own family life and question 'what would I do'. Will sit with you for days after!

Thanks to netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for the ARC.

Kate Bradley writes a hugely engrossing and entertaining novel that deals with some serious issues in this gripping thriller. Lisa has left her husband and taken her son Jack with her. They are staying in a lovely remote rented cottage and she hopes that no one will find them but one day, she awakens on the kitchen floor, her body aching and bleeding and sees that a kitchen knife is missing. Now she knows she must confront what she did.

This toxic concoction of drama, domestic dysfunction and trauma was a cracking story and a book that I revelled in all the way through. Taut and compelling, it brought no disappointments and the clever plotting enabled me to fully grasp the situation and motivation of protagonist Lisa. Told in two timelines, then and now, the shifting timescales were handled with a deft touch by Kate Bradley. I admired Lisa's strength and the way she dealt with tough challenges and impossible choices. The masterful twists and turns paved the way for an unexpected denouement. A riveting tale of unravelling lives, unconditional love and menace, I would love to read more from this gifted story-teller and I am delighted to recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bonnier Books UK/ Zaffre via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for the arc of What I Did by Kate Bradley.

4 star read- TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR: Child abuse, substance abuse and domestic abuse!!

This follows Lisa who wakes up on the kitchen floor she is bound by her hands in cable ties, and injured she knows now that she is not safe at all.. she ran away with her child away from her husband... but is she safe at all... this is such a rollercoaster twisty ride so thrilling and engaging and i read within one sitting i just couldn't put it down this was such a great book, and love all the twists in turns but beware of the triggers in this book..

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Totally Recommend.




4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks so much to Netgalley for the preview of this book It was a super read. It dealt with the horrendous subject of domestic abuse in a sensitive & credible manner. Bradley is a talented writer & thia is a great book

What I Did is a book that I read in a day, I could not put this down.
Lisa has taken her son Jack and left her husband, she has rented a lovely cottage that is so remote no one will find her but one day she finds herself on the kitchen floor, her body aching and bleeding and seeing that a kitchen knife is missing, she knows she must confront what she did.
This book is told in now and then tenses and this really worked in this fast paced book. I loved how Kate Bradley led you along this lovely path and turned it so upside down it took me a few minutes to readjust to this information and question everything I had read before. To be honest I don’t think I have read or not for a long time something as twisty as this and I really enjoyed it. There was no point in the book where time slowed, the pace was great all the way through and I liked that everything was tied up neatly at the end, no unanswered questions left.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb reads -"Lisa is running.

She has taken her child, Jack, and she has run from his father.

Lisa thinks she's safe.

She's found a remote house where no one will be able to find them.

Lisa is about to wake up in her worst nightmare.

And now she must face what she's tried to escape.

Risking everything to protect her little boy, Lisa knows that in order to survive she will have to fight, but it's hard to face someone you loved, especially someone you still love, who knows who you really are - and what you are really capable of.

Family is everything. What would you do to protect it?"

Wow, wow, wow!!! I really enjoyed this book it is very, very clever. The author leads you down a path, you think you know what is happening then it is all turned on its head! It examines the love between the mother and her child and how very strong this is.
This for me is my favourite book so far of 2021 - it was unputdownable!
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Bonnier Books UK and the author Kate Bradley for giving me the opportunity to read a copy of the book 'What I Did' - it was a wonderful read!

This book has you thinking all the way through. You make assumptions on what is coming next and then that changes!
Kate Bradley has used a sensitive topic but made it even more sensitive as you keep reading, and realise this is probably happening more than we think it is.
Despite the subject - a good read and thought provoking.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. Not what I was expecting! I did feel parts were confusing but so many twists I never saw coming. The overall book was super, the topic just made me uncomfortable I think. Writing was good. Suspense was good. I just think it’s horrifying to me!

This fast paced contemporary psychological thriller hits the ground running with an opening chapter which sets the seal for a terrifying story which is cleverly split between time frames which are quite simply explained as now and before. In both sections we get to know Lisa who is caring for her boy, Jack, in an atmosphere which is fraught with danger. With little option, but to get to a place of safety, Lisa must go away with Jack in order to stop the abuse which threatens to engulf both of them.

This deadly spiral of domestic abuse is, at times, a gripping and uncomfortable read but the author does a great job of making everything seem really plausible and so scarily realistic that these characters could, so easily, be people you meet in your daily life. Such is the sympathetic rendering of the story that it becomes very easy to make an emotional connection with the main characters and even though the story is fraught with danger and dreadful abuse, there's a compulsion to read on just to make sense of the many twists and turns which this talented author has inserted into the plot. I was genuinely surprised with how the story eventually played out.

What I Did is a clever psychological thriller which grabs your attention from the start and doesn't let you escape until the whole of this compelling story is told.