I was so excited for this book because I loved the last few I read by this author, but this one wasn’t my favorite. It was a quick read and enjoyable enough but just didn’t have the extra oomph I look for in a thriller.

You Shouldn't Have Done That by Liz Alterman is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark side of friendships, family loyalty, and betrayal. Jane Whitaker and Ivy Chapman have been inseparable for twenty years, their bond forged through their sons' childhood friendship. But when their adult sons, Cal and Brad, go on a skiing trip to Wyoming and only one returns, everything changes.

The mystery surrounding Cal’s disappearance and Brad’s strange behavior creates a rift between the two mothers, leading to suspicion and deepening mistrust. Jane, desperate for answers, becomes increasingly convinced that Brad knows more than he’s letting on about her son’s fate. The dynamic between the two women unravels as their long-standing friendship fractures, with each mother willing to go to great lengths to protect her own child.

Alterman masterfully explores the psychological toll of a missing person case, the tension that mounts as secrets unravel, and the devastating consequences of protecting family at any cost. The suspense builds steadily, keeping readers on edge as loyalties shift, and the lines between right and wrong blur. The real strength of the novel lies in its complex characters—both the mothers, who are forced to confront the lengths they’re willing to go for their children, and the tangled web of relationships that forms around them.

You Shouldn't Have Done That is a twisty, emotionally charged thriller that keeps readers hooked until the very last page. It’s a sharp exploration of friendship turned toxic, the fragility of trust, and the high stakes of protecting your loved ones, no matter the cost. Fans of domestic suspense will find this book an absolute page-turner.

This book was an interesting read that I was always keen to pick up but the over complicated and over the top ending left me wondering why I had bothered. Such a pity because the plot certainly showed promise.

Good book! Keep me wanting to keep reading! My first by this author and i will read more !! Highly recommend this author !!

I loved this frenemy book! Both generations are pretty terrible, and I enjoyed how the author made everyone catty and terrible, so you were invested but didn't really like anyone.
I liked the different POV's-it was fun to see how everyone was acting in this mess, and who was the real antagonist in this book.

This book's pace was great, with just the right amount of twists to keep me engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and this was my first read from this author, but I am very interested in more of their work.

Alterman is a new to me author, so I had absolutely no idea what awaited me between the covers.

I needn't have worried.

The plot was great and had me on tenterhooks right from the start. It was a little slow in starting, but the further I read pace picked up, and when we neared the penultimate chapters we went full on throttle.

Friendships, tension, and toxicity form the basis of the story, capturing the fallout of how everyone in turn is affected by the actions of an individual.

Great characters, well developed and realistic.

Twisty, thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable.

Thank you to Liz Altermann and Inkubator Books for the ARC!

I have been a fan of this author for years, so I was ecstatic to hear she had a new thriller coming out - especially when she said it was her darkest one yet!

“You Shouldn’t Have Done That” features two families, who have been friends forever…but have they really? How well do you truly know the people closest to you? Just because your children have grown up together, does that mean they are meant to be friends?

Told from multiple points of view, we see each character’s perspective as Brad and Cal, two so-called “lifelong friends” have a skiing accident in which only Cal returns. The bond between their families begins to show its small fissures then eventually cracks. With a fast pace, and changing of perspectives, I found myself saying “just one more chapter” quite often as I got fully involved in the chaos these people found themselves in. Just saying, there were quite a few things most of them shouldn’t have done - LOL! The story was deliciously dark and kept me on the edge of my seat. The cold, snowy atmosphere only added to that.

“You Shouldn’t Have Done That” is out NOW! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

You never know who you can trust…and when your lives are so intertwined with your “best friends” there is bound to be resentment and lies. Are Ivy and Jane really as close as it seems? And their sons Cal and Brad…there are dark secrets aplenty between these families.

This book was wildly twisty, entertaining and a must read! I never saw the ending coming and I was SHOCKED. The characters are well written, relatable and brought to life beautifully. The storyline wasn’t far fetched or hard to follow at all. Highly recommend!

"Best friends make the deadliest enemies."

You Shouldn't Have Done That by Liz Alterman is a psychological suspense novel that explores a lifelong friendship turned toxic.

Jane and Ivy have been best friends for twenty years, since their sons Cal and Brad we're in the same preschool. Now Cal and Brad are roommates and they join their families together for a skiing trip in Wyoming. But the relationships and friendships are severely tested when one day only one of the boys return home from skiing. Now the two mothers find themselves on opposite sides of a battle that no one will win. How far will these mothers go to protect their sons?

You Shouldn't Have Done That was the first book I have read by Alterman and I was gripped immediately. Secrets, strained friendships, and revenge are just some of the themes of this book.. and I am here for all of it! Filled with suspense and tension, this multi-layered and multiple POV novel will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!

Thank you to NetGalley, Liz Alterman, and Inkubator Books for this ARC. Expected release date is March 23rd 2025.

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 turns sinister, 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 turns, is a rollercoaster of suspense and unpredictability, ensuring you're always on the edge of your seat, craving 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. 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 from multiple characters' perspectives. 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 full of family drama and psychological suspense, with a twisty ending that will leave fans of domestic thrillers satisfied.

Alterman deftly uses alternating perspectives, allowing readers to get inside the minds of these mad 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.

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.

Upcoming...

Be sure to get Liz's upcoming Claire Casey's Had Enough (so funny), a heartwarming and witty rom-com (June 3, 2025), on your summer TBR list. The author could be a stand-up comedian! Stay tuned for a fun #AuthorElevatorSeries QA ride with Liz (behind the book & this talented author) on pub day. It is going to be epic, so do not miss it.

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

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 23, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
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You Shouldn't Have Done That by Liz Alterman really grabbed my attention from the start. This psychological thriller is full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story explores some heavy themes—secrets, lies, and how far people will go when they feel betrayed or threatened. I found the characters to be incredibly frustrating at times, but in a way that made them feel real and authentic. They were all complex, flawed individuals, which added so much depth to the story.

I especially enjoyed how the tension between family members unfolded and how each character’s actions had a ripple effect. The pacing was perfect, and I found myself eagerly turning pages to see what would happen next. Even though some of the characters drove me crazy with their decisions, I couldn’t help but stay invested in their journeys and how it all came together.

If you’re a fan of thrillers that explore complicated relationships and human motivations in a way that feels raw and real, this is definitely one to pick up. It’s an intense, thought-provoking read that will leave you thinking about the characters long after you’re done.

This book was an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT - What a ride starting with getting a bit boring to kicking into gear and twisting and turning like a bull on steroids. The secrets keep piling up. Good characters, interesting story lines with a pace that finally kicks into gear. Intriguing. Intense. Source: Netgalley. 4*

You Shouldn’t Have Done That” had an intriguing premise, but I struggled to stay invested. The pacing was decent, and the mystery kept me mildly curious, but I found the characters insufferable. Jane, Ivy, and their families were all unlikeable, making it hard to root for anyone. The twists were predictable, and while the tension between the families was well done, the story lacked emotional depth. I didn’t care enough about the outcome, which made the book feel like a chore to finish. It’s an average thriller—readable but forgettable. Fans of domestic dramas may enjoy it more.

3.5 stars

With 'You Shouldn't Have Done That', Liz has given us a suspenseful journey into the darker aspects of friendships and familial ties. With a intricate plot and complex although not so likeable characters, this is a compelling read for fans like me who love psychological thrillers. As with any novel, individual experiences may vary, but the storytelling provokes thoughts and discussions among readers.

Liz has taken pain to give her characters some depth, showcasing their flaws and vulnerabilities. The characters for me were uniformly unlikable and difficult to root for, but the focus and portrayal of familial bonds and enumerating and highlighting the lengths to which parents will go to protect their family especially their children is something that is underlined throughout the novel. A focus was also required to keep things more interesting for me the reader and this is where there is some loss of face and makes the story bland and could be a point that some readers may opt to drop out before trying out the entire volume. The premise is perfect for a deep emotional connecting thriller and Liz has managed to deliver on several points. The story starts slow but picks up pace as it progresses. Multiple viewpoints add to the intrigue and the ending is prickly.

Overall this is a good journey and as a reader I needed a bit more patience to get into the novel. I like Liz's process and approach in the novel and would like to read more from her basket.

Recommended.

It is full of complex characters with plenty of secrets and drama to keep you immersed. Emotionally engaging story.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I just could not get interested in this book and finally gave up. I felt like all of the characters were just so annoying. The two women who were supposedly best friends were just constantly bad mouthing the other. I didn't care for the excessive bad language either. I also felt like this storyline was done before.

Where do I begin? Ok, I will begin here. Liz Alterman is one of my top thriller authors. She is able to create such complex characters and devise plots that make me want to keep reading and don’t let my mind go astray. That is how this book is! It encompasses all the elements of the perfect thriller.

From the first few pages, until the end, I felt like a fly on the wall, watching the Whitaker and Chapman families go through a decades long friendship that ends up horrific. Can their relationship survive this? I truly wasn’t sure until I got to the end. Alterman had me guessing the whole time. Things were never as they seemed and it was terrifyingly fabulous!

The main and secondary characters are all important! Brad and Cal have been friends since they were toddlers, naturally, since their mothers are best friends. They end up living together as adults and this ends up not being the best idea. One thing after another happens. Lives are lost, people turn on each other and no one can be trusted. Not even a best friend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator books for the ARC of this book.

There were way too many perspectives for my liking. Having to keep up with 6 different points of views just is a big headache overall. The ending was okay but this isn’t something I’d pick up again

A Tense and Addictive Thriller – 4 Stars

Thank you, NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC!

You Shouldn't Have Done That by Liz Alterman is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you turning the pages. The story unfolds with an unsettling tension, making it clear from the start that something isn’t quite right. Alterman does a great job building suspense, and the alternating perspectives add to the intrigue, giving readers a deeper look into the characters’ minds.

The pacing is strong, with just the right amount of twists to keep things engaging. While some plot points feel familiar to the genre, the execution is compelling, and the writing style makes for an easy, binge-worthy read. The ending is satisfying, though not entirely unpredictable.

Overall, this is a solid domestic thriller that fans of Gone Girl or The Last Mrs. Parrish will likely enjoy. It’s dark, unsettling, and full of tension—just what you want from a book like this.