In 2019 my health started going down hill and I didn't take into consideration what that would mean for my book reviewing. Sadly, I've been trying to play catch up for years and it's been affecting my ability 5o keep up with present day tasks. So I greatly apologize for this but I am going to clear out all these older review books and focus on present day. I will come back and update this review if I end up reading the book, which is very possible as a lot of these books are still ones I would like to read, I just don't think the pressure looming over me is helpful. Thank you for giving me a chance to early read these books and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide what was needed.

This book was so GOOD. While it’s YA - it was deep and the way the author wrote on the subject matter of rape was excellent. Nothing was sugar coated. The author really developed the story into a complex way and I felt really did justice with this subject matter. Be aware, this is not light hearted - but it was an excellent read!

I am late reviewing this book in that I am only reading this now.

The synopsis of this novel attracted me in that the main protagonist of the novel is the younger sister of the murderer. There is no belief that the sister is innocent or is not going to be found guilty which is interesting in that it was no question that Emily is the murderer, and the rest of the family must live next door to the victim’s family.

Emily’s sister Clara is a very strong character, and I really liked her. She is reliable although a tad judgmental as pointed out to her by her mother. The premise of who is going to believe I was sexually assaulted is a well drawn out theme in the novel. But the novel dragged out in the middle. The plot dragged on and on and I found myself wondering if I was going to get this finished.

Its worth sticking with and I there were a good few OMG moments that I was surprised at. What I would really have liked was a bigger insight into Emily’s motivations but then again maybe that is what I liked about the novel is that Emily’s actions play a bit role in the novel but we don’t really see her as a main character.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>What Happened That Night</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

Deanna Cameron's <i>What Happened That Night</i> is a compelling young adult thriller that delves into themes of trauma, family secrets, and the quest for truth. While the novel delivers an engaging and suspenseful narrative, it occasionally falters in character development and pacing, making it a solid but not exceptional read.

<h4>The Details</h4>

The story centres around Clara Porterfield, a teenager grappling with the aftermath of a traumatic night that changed her life forever. As she seeks to uncover the truth behind what happened, Clara navigates a web of secrets, lies, and complex relationships, slowly piecing together the events of that fateful night.

Clara, as the protagonist, is well-drawn and relatable. Her pain, confusion, and determination are palpable, making her a character readers can root for. However, the supporting characters, including Clara's family members and friends, often feel underdeveloped. Their motivations and backgrounds are not explored in sufficient depth, which sometimes makes their actions and reactions seem superficial or predictable.

Cameron's writing is clear and engaging, with a strong focus on Clara's internal struggles and the tense atmosphere surrounding her sister's death. The first-person narrative effectively conveys Clara's emotions, drawing readers into her journey. However, the pacing can be uneven. The beginning of the novel sets up the mystery well, but the middle sections occasionally drag, and the resolution, while satisfying, feels somewhat rushed and lacks the impactful climax that the buildup promises.

The novel addresses significant themes such as the impact of trauma, the complexities of sibling relationships, and the search for truth and justice. Cameron handles these themes with sensitivity, particularly in depicting Clara's emotional turmoil and her process of healing. However, the exploration of these themes sometimes takes a backseat to the unfolding mystery, which can feel formulaic at times.

One of the strengths of <i>What Happened That Night</i> is its ability to maintain suspense. Cameron skillfully plants clues and red herrings throughout the story, keeping readers guessing. The twists and turns are well-executed, even if some are predictable for seasoned mystery readers.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>What Happened That Night</i> by Deanna Cameron is a gripping young adult thriller that offers a poignant look at trauma and the search for truth. Its strengths lie in its engaging protagonist and suspenseful narrative. However, the novel's impact is lessened by uneven pacing and underdeveloped supporting characters. It's a good choice for fans of the genre looking for an emotional and suspenseful read, earning a respectable three stars for its efforts.

This was a fun read that went in some ways I wasn't expecting. I would recommend. It's an excellent exploration of lies and what they have the power to do

This book was an overall decent read for me. It had the components that you hope for in a thriller but it just didn’t seem to come together for me. Overall a lot of potential but was just ok for me.

Kudos to the author for doing such a tremendous job in What Happened That Night.

The story finds the town of Shiloh still in shock four months after the murder occurred. There's enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Please write more books!

3.8
There are tons of good pieces here, but there are also potentially interesting things that go completely unexplored, which is slightly strange. The sexual violence, while limited, is dramatic.

What Happened That Night by Deanna Cameron is a surprisingly good read and a wonderful form of creepiness that grabs you and doesn't let me. A simmering plot that pulls you in. Loved this book.

This book was a DNF for me. I started with an open mind, but I could not finish it. I did enjoy the tone. But there was something strange about the characters and the way it was written.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview What Happened that Night by Deanna Cameron.

This book does start out slow and you must pay attention to the characters in relation to each other. But all in all this is a good mystery. Told in the first person, Clara provides the voice in the novel. She describes life before and after the murder of a neighbor. Clara's sister killed him. Clara tries to find understanding and the truth, and she struggles to provide the answers..

Good story - be patient - the ending is worth it.
3. stars.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles.
I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

was able to read this book thanks to NetGalley. It was a solid thriller and very fast paced. I was very invested in the characters and their stories. This is a must read for thriller lovers and I will be recommending it to my friends. I hope to see future books from this author in the future. Thanks again to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you for providing an ARC copy of this book. I must say that I loved every minute of it. When an author is able to keep me guessing right up until the end, it’s pretty amazing. I loved the characters and how we slowly learned more about each one and what made them unique - their flaws and their strengths. Each person that Clare met along her journey helped her recover and heal and find truth and closure to a very difficult time in her life. I absolutely loved Kolby and though I found Anniston to be rather annoying, somehow it worked.

It also had a creepiness factor that I loved and kept me turning the pages, well done; now I want more.

This turned out to be a very interesting novel!
Mystery is one of my most favourite genres and if I see any book that looks like a good mystery novel or the synopsis appeals to me, I’m sold. However, with that, there are good mysteries and there are not-good mysteries and I’ve had my fair share of both. What Happened That Night was thankfully not the latter. It gripped me from the start and held onto me for the duration of the book. It withheld information while also giving enough for the reader to not get confused and stay engaged. I really enjoyed this novel; it was written well and delivered well. I rate this book 4/5 stars and highly recommend this book who others, especially to my fellow mystery fans!

TW/CW for book: sexual assault, rape

The book premise was super interesting to me, but unfortunately it just didn't live up to ny expectations. I was bored about 25% in. I felt like the ending was super ridiculous. This one just wasn't for me.

I really loved this book in a new to me author. The characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

This book was not what I was thinking it would be. I spent a considerable amount of time confused or uncomfortable. It was interesting enough. There were somethings I was a but confused about, but i ended up having no issues figuring it out.

This one was very triggery for me. I ended up not finishing it for that reason. There were specific scenes that were so hard to read. The writing was good and the characters were formed well but some of the content was too heavy for me. That is 100% a personal preference and I would still recommend readers to try this one for themselves.

I assumed the central focus of this book would be on rape culture and the difference between justice and revenge. And that was certainly an element. But it's really more about teen sociopaths than anything else, a theme that I'm not especially fond of. It's far more extreme than revenge. It's characters who are motivate by the pain of others.