Dnfed at 20%

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC copy of this book in exchange for for an honest review

Exam season is just rolling around the corner and. I'm definitely not looking to get into a reading slump.
The writing in this book feels so disjointed and messy. Only 20% in and it already feels like the author is trying to introduce to much into the mix. It sounded fun and intriguing but it didn't catch my attention.

This is YA and it is VERY YA. The plot and characters are a bit all over the place, and hard to follow. The characters could have used a lot more development and dynamic development.

This was a gripping, suspenseful thriller that keeps you turning the pages late into the night. The author masterfully weaves a story full of secrets, tension, and unexpected twists that will leave readers guessing until the very end. The plot unfolds at a steady pace, building suspense as the characters’ pasts unravel. The author does a great job of creating complex, flawed characters—making their struggles and choices feel authentic and relatable. The central mystery is compelling, and just when you think you’ve figured it all out, she throws in a curveball that leaves you stunned.
While the pacing dipped slightly in the middle, the final chapters more than made up for it with their intensity and revelations. The author delivers a solid, atmospheric thriller that lingers in your mind long after the last page. Highly recommended for readers looking for a twisty and engaging story!

As I get older I read less YA books but am very glad I read this. What a read I couldn't put it down. A very enjoyable book

Thanks for the opportunity to review

Thank you Netgalley and Hashtag Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Denise Brown’s “We Know What You Did” is a gripping YA thriller that dives into the aftermath of a tragic night, exploring themes of friendship and the unrelenting power of social media. Through the eyes of 15-year-old Summer, the book confronts the emotional toll of loss and the secrets that bind—and break—relationships.

The story begins with Summer and her best friend Cee experimenting with pills during a reckless evening, a choice that tragically ends with Cee’s death from cardiac arrest. Summer is immediately thrust into a storm of online bullying and social ostracism, all while grappling with her own guilt and a family secret that adds another layer of complexity to her grief. As whispers about the night’s events spread, Summer becomes desperate to uncover the truth, confronting not only her actions but also the moral ambiguities of those around her.

Brown’s strength lies in her raw depiction of teenage grief and trauma. Summer is a complicated protagonist—grieving, guilt-ridden, and sometimes unreliable. Her internal conflict is palpable, and her strained relationships with her dysfunctional family, including a neglectful mother and her brother with Down syndrome, add depth to her character. The exploration of social media as a double-edged sword—both a vehicle for cruelty and a reflection of societal judgment—feels timely and authentic.

However, there is sometimes a lack of focus in the plot. The story introduces numerous threads—grief, family secrets, social media bullying, and Summer’s questionable reliability—but struggles to tie them together cohesively. Flashbacks and hallucinations blend confusingly with the present-day timeline, which left me unsure of what’s real and what’s imagined. There were some underdeveloped subplots feel more like distractions than meaningful additions to the story. When I finished the book, I was still left with some questions, though these parts of the story did help keep me engaged throughout.

I enjoyed the raw and authentic portrayal of teenage grief and guilt as well as the emotional depth is Summer’s character and her family dynamics. There were just some pacing issues and a confusing narrative structure with unclear transitions between flashbacks, hallucinations, and present events that I didn’t particularly enjoy.

Overall, “We Know What You Did” is an emotional and thought-provoking YA thriller that tackles weighty themes with authenticity, even if its execution isn’t always seamless. Fans of character-driven dramas with a psychological edge may appreciate this book.

We know what you did- Denise Brown
3.5⭐️
At first this was going to be a 3 star, but the ending really changed my mind and tied it all together very nicely. While reading this book I sometimes found myself leaving it and reading something else since it struggled to keep my attention for longer periods of time. There were a few flashbacks but it was hard to know that it was a flashback since there were no differences between the flashbacks and the present, just the flashback in cursive would have made a huge difference. I was also really confused about the whole wolf-bear thing wondering if it was real or not.
It was an impactful read, a 15 year old with drinking problems, and having to take care of her brother with Down’s syndrome because the mother doesn’t really give that many shits. Summer was kind of hard to fully understand, and I’m still not sure if she is completely nuts or just traumatized, but then who really is sane after watching their best friend die. But as I said the ending really tied most of it together, even though she made some questionable choices that in my opinion was selfish, but she did what she thought was right I suppose. After all she is only 15.
So all in all this book was a 3.5 star read for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Hashtag press for this ARC, I am leaving this review voluntarily🌸

DNF

I couldn't get along with the writing style of this. From the get go it felt very showy. Just like "cee was this. she did this. one time she did that". It kept me distant from the story, sort of like when reading a textbook and you can't just get lost in it, you have to be aware if that makes sense. Just not one for me. I have so many books on my tbr that I just have to prioritise reading the ones I'm at least entertained by even if not fully enjoying it but this one didn't make the cut

Book:
WE KNOW WHAT YOU DID by Denise Brown
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the Earc (Out Now)

Review:
1⭐ (should be zero)
I didn't like this book. From the description, it seemed like the ultimate mystery. The whole time, however, I was wishing it was over. I wanted to DNF this because it was utterly confusing and seemed to be all over the place (there were times where I was unsure if there was a flashback happening or a hallucination). Honestly, I stated skipping around just to see who was threatening the main characters who's name I already forgot or who had the pills. I feel like I wasted my time with this, and that sucks because I enjoyed Brown's thriller that was released earlier this year.

I may circle back to this when I’m feeling more up to a darker book. But right now this isn’t something I can read unfortunately. Better review to come…
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an E- Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Denise Brown’s We Know What You Did is a gripping YA thriller that explores the fallout of a tragic night, where choices made in secrecy unravel lives and reveal deeply buried truths. This intense and emotional novel delves into themes of friendship, guilt, family loyalty, and the destructive power of social media.

The story begins with Summer and her best friend, Cee, taking pills on a reckless evening that ends in heartbreak when Cee dies of cardiac arrest. What follows is a spiraling storm of accusations and relentless bullying aimed at Summer, as whispers about that night’s events spread like wildfire. With her reputation tarnished and her grief compounded by guilt, Summer struggles to hold onto the truth—one that involves secrets harbored by both families.

Brown masterfully portrays the emotional toll of loss and guilt on young characters while highlighting the cruelty of online bullying. Summer’s internal conflict is raw and relatable, and the unraveling of the mystery behind her and Cee’s actions is paced to keep readers hooked. The novel’s focus on how secrets can fester within families adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, as Summer confronts not only her own choices but also the moral ambiguities of those around her.

The use of social media as both a weapon and a mirror to societal judgment feels timely and authentic, reflecting the pressure young people face in an age where privacy is scarce, and judgment is instant. Brown’s portrayal of this digital mob mentality is chilling, yet she also offers moments of hope and resilience through Summer’s journey of self-discovery and redemption.

For readers who love YA thrillers with a mix of mystery, emotional depth, and social commentary, We Know What You Did is a standout. Denise Brown crafts a compelling story that will resonate with teens and adults alike, leaving readers reflecting on the weight of secrets and the courage it takes to confront them.

I found the book confusing and didn't really enjoy it. I did like the social media aspect but on the other hand I struggled with the plot being a bit all over the place. I could see where it was going but I think it missed the mark a bit

Thank you to hashtag press and Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The book is simple and doesn’t add much to the genre however it is marketed as a young adult mystery/thriller however this is not accurate. The story is a little convoluted and has a lot of needless filler while the writing style is more suited for the younger side of the young adult scale.

book was archived before i got the chance to read it, thank you for netgalley and publisher, i'm sure it was a great one

The blurb and cover give off YA thriller vibes but that is far from what I got. This was also highly confusing, I didn't care for the characters either... I couldn't continue. It didn't appeal to me.

I feel like the synopsis was a little misleading. I found the book very hard to follow along, the writing was all over the place. I had to DNF about 20% in because I was just no longer interested in the characters.

This book, both cover and synopsis, give off major YA thriller vibes, and I was disappointed when I discovered it wasn't. I think it would have been a lot more enjoyable had it been. It took me quite a while to read this one as I found it dragged on quite a bit, had a lot of unnecessary scenes, and a lot of filler. Not a one for me, unfortunately.

We Know What You Did by Denise Brown delves into the complexities of friendship, secrets, and loss, following Summer as she wrestles with grief and confusion after a tragic night that left her world turned upside down. At the heart of the story is the bond between two friends whose shared choices ultimately lead to devastating consequences, leaving Summer to piece together what truly happened.

The novel has a strong emotional pull, with Brown effectively capturing the intensity of grief and guilt. Summer’s journey is compelling, as she navigates a tangle of memory, trauma, and mistrust in her search for the truth. However, at times, certain plot elements feel underdeveloped, and the ending leaves some questions unanswered, which might leave readers wishing for a bit more clarity.

For those who enjoy suspenseful, character-driven dramas about friendship and loss, We Know What You Did offers a moving, if slightly enigmatic, exploration of the emotional aftermath of tragedy.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is hard to follow and is confusing. Though the blurb was interesting, but when I actually read it, I couldn't understand what was going on and couldn't connect with the characters. It's all over place.

This book stood out to me because of the use of social media in the story and how it is an almost omoinous presence that can make stuations worse and more harrowing and intense even when they are already at a breaking point. I thought this story was interesting and the author did a good job showing how social media and people's need to weigh in on things intensifies situations and makes things harder.

I’ve read and enjoyed her previous titles It All Started With A Lie and I Am Winter. So I was past due for a new Brown YA thriller.
We Know What You Did by Denise Brown is an excellent YA/NA thriller story.
Denise's writing is something amazing and I honestly can't wait read to read more from her!

Thank You NetGalley and Hashtag Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!