A recovering alcoholic believes herself unworthy of forgiveness as she tries to live a sober life.

Recovering alcoholic Astrid moves back home to her mother’s seaside cottage in a sleepy English coastal town. Astrid understands the arduous task before her to maintain her fragile recovery and rebuild her life.

But running from her secrets is full time work and someone knows where she is who isn’t supposed to know. Now that someone is toying with Astrid, leaving her clues and letting her know that though she can run, she cannot hide.

Astrid straddles the line between normalcy and a self-loathing so intense she can barely stand herself. She believes the mistakes she has made are not worthy of redemption.

A budding new love interest has Astrid longing for more but not quite able to grasp the possibility that a better life is waiting.

A cast of creepy characters haunt Astrid’s waking life. It is impossible to know who she can trust while realizing that she desperately needs to trust someone.

BRB Rating: Read It.

This story was okay for me. It was spectacular or particularly memorable but it certainly wasn't bad either. I did not guess the twist and I read the book quickly. It did get a bit repetitive at times for me but I would likely read this author again.

What happens when you have a secret so deep, you can't tell anyone? What happens when you lose the love of your life? What happens when you think you're being haunted by that love?

After a stint with the love of her life and they being so wrong for each other, because they were toxic, Astrid finally gets herself together to ask for help. She joins AA and meets some nice people and some weird people.

As she's coming to terms with her life, Astrid is suddenly smelling Simon everywhere, but it has a to be a popular scent, right? As strange things continue to happen, Astrid starts to question her sanity and those around her.

Sometimes things are exactly as they seem, but mostly they are what your psyche makes them and sometimes it's completely wrong.

Go with Astrid on her journey to find herself and to also find out why she's being haunted.

Recovering alcoholic Astrid attends AA meetings regularly. She hasn't had a drink for 192 days. She is trying really hard to get back on track. Of course until her past catches up with her. I thought it would be a run of the mill revenge story but it was so much more. Great characters, great story and chock full of twists and turns!

I very much enjoyed "Who Did You Tell?" by Lesley Kara. I am usually not much for the suspense/mystery genre, but this one captured my attention right away. As someone who has lived with an alcoholic, I can tell you that the author did a great job of bringing forward those feelings that a recovering alcoholic experiences.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. It was well-written, and I enjoyed the change of pace. If you're a fan of suspense, I definitely recommend!

Interesting mystery. When you’re an alcoholic and drink until you blackout your life takes interesting twists and turns, many you’re not even aware of. Astrid is trying to start over as she struggles to stay sober and get her life back on track. She tries to reconcile past issues and relationships but isn’t sure who to trust. Interesting twists and turns to keep you guessing what will come next.

I really enjoyed the characters and pacing of this book. The story primarily deals with addiction and its aftermath. There are plenty of twists and questions to move the story along. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Kara. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This read was true to the psychological suspense genre for me. It's about a newly sober alcoholic in recovery, who has just gotten out of treatment and moved in with her mother, away from her old life in London. Astrid is the main character, she struggles to live a new life without alcohol and drugs. Astrid is going to Alcoholics Anonymous regularly, and is trying hard to straighten out her life and build a new relationship with her mother, who distrusts Astrid because of her past and her constant lying and broken promises. Astrid struggles to make new friends as well because of her terrible past. Someone in her old neighborhood knows about Astrids past, her secrets, and is following her and leaving her nasty threatening notes. But who?
After getting into a couple of chapters I thought this book was going into too much detail, and the pace was set very slow. But as I kept reading, I realized the author was just giving the viewer a very detailed description of what it's really like to be a newly sober alcoholic struggling to live a life without alcohol and drugs. It's very raw and terrifying for an addict to live without mind alternating chemicals that helped them cope with life. There is so much denial; they do not want to face the real truth of their actions of what they have done when they are under the influence. They do things they would never otherwise do when they use. Then the next day when sober they are filled with guilt, shame and remorse and have a hard time dealing with what they have become, so they drink more to forget.
Wow the author was correct in every aspect. I have family members who are in recovery so I've seen first hand what is like. A real psychological nightmare at first until they work through the steps and learn how to live a new life without chemicals.
Good strong story and writing. The suspense is given at a slow but steady pace. Great buildup of the story. You never know who is really Astrid's stalker, and there are many suspects. There were a some good twists in this story... but that ending! You never knew who it was until the end, and you find true evil really exists (at least in this novel!)
This is the first book I've read by Lesley Kara, and I can't wait to go back and read her first novel "The Rumor". I liked this book so much that I purchased the audible version of this book so when I couldn't read I could listen. Very one credit worthy and the narrators did a great job. I highly recommend this slow burning psychological suspense book to anyone who enjoys the genre.
*A very special thank you to the publisher Random House Publishing Group Ballantine via NetGalley for the advanced readers ebook in exchange for my honest review*.

3.5 stars

This book is almost creepily reminiscent of The Girl On the Train so if you enjoyed that novel you will likely enjoy Who Did You Tell? which follows a recently sober woman, Astrid, in the weeks after coming out of rehab. She keeps thinking she sees her ex-boyfriend everywhere but... it can't be him... can it?

It took a bit for me to get into the story and invested in what was happening but once the ball started rolling it was hard to put the book down. While some things are easy to figure out there are enough twists to keep you guessing until the last page.

Overall this is a gripping novel that was a good mystery to get lost in on a stormy day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I did not care that much for Lesley Kara's Who Did You Tell? I was having high expectations for it and was disappointed. I am giving it two stars.

This is the story of a recovering alcoholic. Astrid hit rock bottom, and has turned her life around—or so she hopes. She has moved back with her mother and is spending her days going to meetings and trying to put her life back into synch. Like with many alcoholics, she has gaps in her memory, though some events are best left forgotten, and there are many in her background like that. Previously, she had been in a relationship with Simon, who got sober, left Astrid, returned to her, began drinking again and died, leaving Astrid with tons of guilt and questions. To complicate matters, she senses someone is following her, out to get her, but cannot figure out who, in her mother’s town, would do that. Can she figure it out—without resorting to alcohol again?

This is the story, as I said, of a recovering alcoholic, who is trying to make her life whole again. It is also the story of someone trying to make up for the sins of her past and struggling to figure out who is after her if anyone at all. The author has given the reader a good look at the life of a recovering alcoholic as well as a psychological thriller to boot. It did provide me good insight into the life of a former alcoholic, while managing to keep my interest piqued about who was after Astrid. I think the story line is good and flows easily. The characterization is likewise good. I have not read anything else by this author but will now look for her books. I received this form NetGalley to read and review.

Who Did You Tell? by Lesley Kara is a solidly written book, highly descriptive with a great setting, and a plot that pulls you in. I got immersed in this book right away and felt a connection with many of the characters. I could feel the emotional turmoil and struggles as the story developed. Good Book.

Astrid is a recovering alcoholic, recently moved back home with her mother to the small town of Flinstead. She really does seem to want to better her life and show her mother that she can give up alcohol. She struggles with the AA meetings, but that has more to do with the atmosphere than her lack of ambition to conquer her problem.
It doesn't take long for the story to go in a positive direction. Her relationship with her mother, while strained, seems to be improving. She meets a guy at a beach that might be a great influence for her. Reignites her passion for art. But there is something lurking in the shadows. She can't quite get over the feeling that someone is watching her. That someone knows about what she's done in the past. Something even she can't quite recall...

Overall, the story wasn't bad. It's not the action packed or twisty thriller but it's a good read.

Who Did You Tell?, by Lesley Kara, is a thriller set in a small English seaside town. The protagonist, a young woman, is a recovering alcoholic. She is plagued by overwhelming guilt, doubt, self-loathing and the mysterious sense that she is being stalked. She also is prickly and not terribly likeable…at least at the beginning.

While I found the “mysteries” to be too neatly resolved, the characters were complex and compelling. Their personalities and histories were slowly revealed. Relationships that initially seemed flat and flawed, developed fullness and nuance. Kara is also adept in bringing the physical environment to life, including the salt spray, wind, and cold of the seaside town.

This was a diverting, enjoyable read…great for vacation or a summer afternoon anywhere. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

#WhoDidYouTell #NetGalley

3.5 Stars
This is something that will take you by the hand and show you what addiction really feels like. How it can impact more than just one person drinking. How it can take a family and change the dynamic.
How it can play with memories and remeberence of actions. Well Done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

*Trigger warning: This story discusses drug and alcohol abuse and related sequela of this lifestyle including the lasting physical and psychological effects. The struggles with success and failures at becoming sober.

In London, Hilary “Astrid” Phelps is a 32 years old who was a rebellious teen who left home at 17 to escape the restraints of living the norm. She meets Simon at a bar and they begin a whirlwind relationship which included drug and alcohol abuse. Eventually, they separate and reunite until it drastically ends with him taking his own life.

Hilary changed her name to Astrid back when she was a teen because it meant “divine strength” which was the antithesis of everything from which she was running. It’s when she wakes up in a hospital with her mother by her side that she decides to start over. She moves in with her mother in her childhood town of Flinstead-by-Sea which was the last place she ever wanted to be. Her mother provides her with the “tough love” to remain sober after she is discharged from Rehab. Amongst the conditions for her living situation is that Astrid continue to attend regular AA meetings.

It’s at AA where she encounters a variety of characters with their own life stories and reasons which led them to AA. At the meetings Astrid is hesitant to reveal much of her story and is leery of the other members. Rosie is a member who has poor boundaries and always offering unsolicited advice. She works at a charity thrift store and currently homeless. Astrid begins to build a friendship with Helen another member of the group who avoids Rosie whenever she can. Similarly, Rosie cautions Astrid about Helen’s history and tendencies for relapse.

Although they caution in AA to avoid relationships after rehab, Astrid chats with Josh who was surfing where she likes to walk the beach. He asks her to meet for coffee which she accepts since it seems casual and she doesn’t need to disclose her alcoholism. Of course, her mother’s friend Pam seems to notice everything in their small town and reports back to her mother about this man. Astrid reassures her mother that she has no plans to venture off her path of sobriety.

Since Astrid returned home she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched and followed. The paranoia remains as she is still trying to make sense of life as a sober person. Blackouts and hallucinations were some experiences which continue to plague her memory. Additionally, she carries the emotional burden of feeling responsible for Simon’s death.

Eventually, Astrid discovers that someone was following her which leads to a confrontation regarding her past decisions. With clarification regarding past events, Astrid attempts to understand its implications for her future. Not wanting to disclose her alcoholic past with Josh, she resorts to trusting Rosie and Helen from AA who have seemed to be supportive.

Consequently, secrets and lies always have a way of surfacing when least expected. Astrid’s biggest secret she thought died with Simon which raises the question, “Who did you tell?” It seems that the past is again back to disrupt whatever peace she may have found. How does Astrid cope during all this pressure and revelations? Can past mistakes be forgiven or amended? Is it possible to ever leave the past behind?

Who Did You Tell is a psychological, suspense thriller with lots of twists and turns.
I really couldn’t get into the story nor the main character, Astrid. She is a recovering alcoholic who struggles with her inner demons. She attends AA meetings hoping to find help but she has a hard time learning how to trust others. Her inner demons haunt her as she remembers things. She also has a fear someone is following her....
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion.

There is a very high emotional aspect to this thrilling story. As we are taken on Astrid’s journey as a recovering alcoholic, we are met with the struggles not only she faces, but her mother as well. Astrid has secrets from her past and someone is stalking and threatening her. Someone is seeking revenge. This story is filled with twists and secrets and heartfelt moments. A great mystery with a surprising ending.

I sadly just did not like this book at all, I had to force myself to finish it. Might of been just me I just couldn't get into the characters.
Thank you Netgalley.

A wonderful follow up to Kara’s debut. This domestic thriller has plenty of twists while dealing with gripping issues like family relationships a d addiction. Highly recommended.