What an original take for a thriller! I absolutely loved this, it was so unique and unlike any other thrillers I've read. Not only that but it does make you think because one day, these kinds of tests could be possible and these dilemmas could possibly occur. I do love a book that's not only well written and unpredictable but also leaves you pondering it after you finish and this one definitely does all that and more

Definitely an interesting read. Sort of George Orwell meets Minority Report. A gene has been discovered that allegedly means that a male who is positive is far more likely to commit a violent offence and end up in prison. Not as eloquent as Orwell but still a very thought provoking read. None of the characters are very likeable but you can see why they are like that. Personally I would remove the epilogue from the end as I really don't think it adds anything to the book. It's almost like a book club discussion has been tagged on. Perhaps have thoughts from Simon? The nature v nurture argument is to the fore but no conclusions are drawn and to be fair it's a debate that still rages today and always will.
A good solid 3.5/5 stars

A thought-provoking story from the start, This book is a dystopian thriller showing just how far mothers will go to protect their sons.

The story follows sisters Bea and Antonia as they lead very different lives. Living in a society that tests boys for the M gene, a dispostion to violence, that then changes the opportunitys they receive in life. While one sisters son is M-, the other is untested. It was quite uncomfortable to read how untested boys are still treated as guilty unless they recieve a negative test. The story alternates between current day and the past showing how the sisters relationship changes as well as the introduction of treatment for M+ boys.

This book kept me gripped the whole time and I didnt want to put it down. Although this type of testing is unethtical, it feels scarily possible, and really makes you think about the whole nature-nurture debate - how much of what we are is predisposed by our genes?

I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read more by Jayne Cowie.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this e-ARC.

Chilling because it is entirely possible (although unethical) that such tests could be designed and that people may decide their futures, and the futures of others, based on the results.
Given a (non) choice between having your son tested for the M gene or not is dividing society into negative (safe and privileged) and positive (shunned and assumed violent) or not testing (and being assumed violent anyway) two sisters with very different views are pushed into a tragic situation involving their sons.
Extremely well written with plenty of characters to truly hate, the superiority oozes off the pages from those with M negative boys and the deprivation of those untested or positive is cleverly woven into the fabric of the society described.

A dark and exciting thriller with some clearly dystopian elements, telling the story of two mothers that are faced with the challenge of testing their sons for a gene that identifies violence and could thus determine their future. A great read!

If male children could be tested for the violence linked M gene would you have your child tested? - that is the question that is at the heart of this book.

Imagine a world where the boys of society were divided into 'safe' M negative and 'violent' M positive boys. With different schools, different shops, different jobs and different levels of forgiveness open to those who have the coveted M negative gene.

Siblings Antonia and Bea live very different lives. Antonia is married to Owen, a doctor, and they live a lavish, beautiful life with their beautiful home, beautiful cars and cherished son Jack - all curtesy of the gene testing clinic that they run to treat M+ boys.

Bea, on the other hand, has nothing. Refusing to get her son, Simon, tested when he was born, Bea has suffered at the hands of society as she has watched doors close for her child and him be marginalised by her refusal to test. She has her reasons - why would you want to pigeon hole someone based on a genetic test?

Simon and Jack had been close as young children but as Bea and Antonia had become increasingly estranged they had seen less and less of each other.....and then there was the incident at the beach with the girl that changed everything.

Now Bea and Simon have pitched up at Antonia's house asking to stay for a few days. Simon is covered in bruises and the police keep coming by - just what are Bea and Simon running from?

This is an interesting idea for a book that is executed really well. Told in the form of chapters that flick back and forth between each of the sisters as well as varying periods over the last 15 years or so. The characters draw you in as you get each of the characters in pieces - like putting together a puzzle with each chapter giving you a bit more of their characters.

Did it end where I thought it would? In truth, yes, I guessed the outcome fairly early on but the journey there was still really interesting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did it for you shows in such a diverse and unique way the love of a mother and how far they would go for their child. I was gripped by the concept of being tested and especially how society only tests boys and seeing how they react to M- vs M+ boys. I think this was so skilfully written and just sucks you into the story straight away making it a really quick and enjoyable read.

How far would you go for your child?
That is what I Did It For You ultimately is about. We follow 2 mothers, and their sons in a society where a test determines if a boy has a tendency to be violent.
Overall, this was a very solid and interesting read, I would highly recommend it

Thanks Netgalley and random house uk for the ARC of ‘I did it for you’ by Jane Cowie.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed it! Original concept.

I found this to be a gripping read, even as things became more and more uncomfortable with the impact of being an untested boy affecting ever more things as the story progressed.
I previously enjoyed After Dark & found this book a quick read as I had to find out what happened.
I liked Bea, not all the characters were so likeable but I enjoyed the comparisons between her life and Antonia's.
As a mother I could see where they were both coming from, I guessed a few twists, but not all of them
My thanks to Netgalley & the Publisher for my eARC in return for my honest review.

I read Jayne Cowie’s debut novel, After Dark, last year, and I absolutely loved it. So I have been eagerly awaiting her follow up novel, I Did It For You. There is a similar underlying current through both books, though the issue is approached from a very different angle, with different characters.

Bea and Antonia are sisters, but there is no similarity or symmetry to their lives. They have an uneasy relationship, the M gene widening and exacerbating their differences. You might be wondering what the M gene is, read the book if you want to find out.

The narration alternates between the sisters. The story also takes us back to salient points of their lives, to give further perspective to the narrative. This is very clearly defined , causing no confusion. I found it extremely interesting to note the attitudes and judgements, of each sister upon the other. Both thinking they are right, whilst the other is at fault, which I’m sure many of us will find familiar from our own lives.

As the story progresses, there are intriguing hints to the undercurrent of tensions between Bea and Antonia, and something secretive between Bea and Owen. Despite the quiet progress of the book, I felt we were building up to something quite heavy and unexpected. I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything wasn’t as it seemed, so much bubbling away beneath the surface.

As I read on, I found myself getting stressed. I could feel the direction the story was taking. I had a growing sense of frustrated injustice, of helplessness, mirrored from certain characters.

It makes uncomfortable reading. A two tiered, unjust society. The division causing resentments, characters become entrenched. Parallels can be drawn to situations we experience in today’s world unfortunately.
The book is very well written, dark, thought provoking. I flew through it in just over 24 hours, at times I gasped out loud. As with this bold author’s first book, it is dystopian, but it felt current and very genuine.

Ultimately, it is a story of a mother’s love, and the extent that she will go to, to protect him. I Did It For You is another 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ gripping read from Jayne Cowie. I loved it.

A really good book from the start, I’ve not read any books from this author but I’m glad I came across her, looking forward to the next one

"I Did it For You" by Jayne Cowie is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that explores the ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding genetic testing for violence. The story revolves around two sisters, Antonia and Bea, who have different perspectives on whether to test their sons for the "violent" M gene, and the consequences that unfold as a result.

One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of the complex emotions and motivations of the characters. Cowie delves into the depths of a mother's love and the lengths she would go to protect her child. Antonia's decision to have her son tested is driven by her fear and desire to ensure her son's safety, while Bea's refusal to have her son tested is rooted in her belief that her son's life should not be predetermined by a genetic result. The tension between the two sisters and their differing views adds a compelling layer to the story, and readers are kept on the edge of their seats as the consequences of their choices unfold.

The theme of genetic testing for violence raises thought-provoking questions about the ethical implications of such testing. Cowie delves into the moral dilemmas and ethical complexities surrounding the concept of genetic determinism and the impact it can have on individuals and their families. The novel raises important questions about the role of genetics in shaping human behavior and whether or not it is ethical to test for genes associated with violence.

The pacing of the novel is well-done, with a steady buildup of tension and suspense. As the story unfolds, Cowie skillfully weaves in twists and turns that keep readers engaged and guessing until the very end. The writing is vivid and descriptive, drawing readers into the characters' emotions and experiences, and creating a sense of empathy and connection with them.

One of the few limitations of the book is that some readers may find the topic of genetic testing for violence uncomfortable or triggering, as it deals with sensitive and controversial ethical issues. However, Cowie handles the subject matter with sensitivity and nuance, presenting multiple perspectives and allowing readers to form their own opinions.

In conclusion, "I Did it For You" is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of genetic testing for violence and the moral dilemmas it presents. Cowie's skillful storytelling, well-drawn characters, and thought-provoking themes make this book a captivating read. It challenges readers to ponder the ethical implications of genetic testing and raises important questions about the role of genetics in shaping human behavior. Fans of suspenseful and morally complex novels will find "I Did it For You" to be a compelling and thought-provoking read.

This book raises a lot of thought-provoking issues, and although the premise of the story is original I can’t honestly say I enjoyed it. It was well written and the plot kept me fairly interested but I found most of the characters unbelievable and unlikeable, particularly Antonia. The way she babied her 18-year-old son Jack was extremely annoying. I’m sure the book will be a huge hit, just not for me I’m afraid. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy.

This is a great domestic suspense. The atmosphere kept me gripped from start to finish. Perfect for summer reading.

In a world that is easily recognisable as ours, a major scientific breakthrough has ensured that boys born with a particular gene can be identified as having the potential to grow into violent men. This gene, known as M+, can be identified in baby boys with the use of a simple DNA swab of the mouth.

While this discovery has implications that could bring about widespread changes in society - particularly with regard to domestic violence - it quickly leads to a split among those who support the test versus those who find the Idea invasive or problematic. Nevertheless, within the space of few years the test begins to determine the fate of young boys - their access to schools, careers, relationships and, perhaps most importantly, how they are being judged by the adults around them.

In this situation, we are introduced to two sisters, both of whom give birth to boy children, quite close in age. Antonia is the wife of a doctor, Owen, who coddles her son, Jack, to a degree that her sister Bea considers ridiculous. Antonia also choses to have her son tested (Jack turns to be M-, and does not carry the dangerous gene). Antonia and her husband then go on to open a clinic for M+ boys, and become very wealthy in the process.

By contrast, Bea and her partner Alfie decide, on principle, not to have their son Simon tested. But this leads to years of a situation where Simon is effectively treated as M+ by default, as he does not have a test result that can prove otherwise. Bea's social circumstances are the opposite of Antonia's, and the two boys each have access to a very different set of resources as a result of this.

Nevertheless, the cousins remain close. But as Simon and Jack approach adulthood, years of closely-held family secrets and the very different choices made by their mothers begin to play out in a dangerous fashion.

At its heart, this book is about the sacrifices that mothers make for their children - and what being a good mother really means.

The narrative is frighteningly plausible, and raises major ethical and social issues, beyond the already-complex minefield of parenting successes and shortcomings. Jayne Cowie has delivered a gripping read which engages the reader's interest until the last page - particularly since the story goes turbo, hitting its stride (and how!), in the last few chapters. If you want a breathtakingly engaging read with just one major speculative element, this is definitely a book worth reading.

This book is so thought provoking and a real conversation starter. It is a dark, dystopian thriller which asks how far a mother will go to protect their child.

The story is set in a society where scientists have discovered a genetic predisposition to violence based on an M+ result. Young boys are tested and their status in society revolves around this result. The book focuses on two sisters who each parent a son; one is an overbearing, married, successful, mother of a mollycoddled M- boy. The other sister is a financially struggling, single parent to a non tested son. It brings the nature vs nurture theory into mind The book timeline moves back and forth throughout so the reader can see how life events, government decisions, society and the relationship between the sisters change.

As a parent I found this book extremely thought provoking and at times heartbreaking. Untested boys are treated as guilty unless proven innocent (with a negative test) and are discriminated against alongside the M+ boys. The segregation was really difficult to swallow.

The book is not like anything I have read before and I have a feeling it’ll stick in my mind for quite some time. I would have liked another chapter/ epilogue about Simon but i understand why the author chose to end the book the way they did.

Thank you to Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC. Publishing date 31/08/2023.