This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

What would you do to belong?

This story centers around Clare, who lives with her granny and whose parents have disowned her. Clare goes to Edinburgh, Scotland to attend school and reinvent herself. At one time her family was wealthy but lost everything so Clare finds herself a job working in a bar. Finn is the bar's manager and becomes an on-again, off-again boyfriend.

While working, a group of teens comes in and Clare is immediately taken with one girl, Tabitha, and later Clare accepts an invite to dinner. It is at the dinner, that Clare meets all the members of the clique and it's pretty evident that Tabitha is the leader of the group. Clare refers to the group as The Shiver, a group of sharks.

Little by little Clare is pulled into being a part of the group all the while trying to hide her secret. Clare gets a last-minute invite to go to France with the group and stay at Tabitha's mother's home. It is in France, that Tabitha shares her project, a way for all of them to make money. It is here that one of the group members discloses that Clare's past is known.

The majority of the story is from the perspective of college students, so it had a vibe of YA to me. I didn't like any character, none of them had any redeeming qualities. The group was like a bunch of mean girls, with the exception of one guy. They were all conniving and jumped when told to do something because they felt they were obligated to. The ending was a bit of a surprise since I didn't expect that person in the group to have their own personal vendetta. I think, Imogen and Samuel in the end were the smart ones.

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

The Things We Do To Our Friends by Heather Darwent is a debut novel about a group of college friends in Edinburgh and the dark places their relationship takes them to. It also has elements of suspense and dark academia.

Clare is a young woman estranged from her parents and starting university in Edinburgh alone and with a mysterious past. When she starts a new job as a bartender she catches the eye of a a group of fellow students whose wealth and chaotic energy immediately pull her in. She is especially drawn to Tabitha (their beautiful and wild leader) and Clare finds herself quietly desperate for her approval. When Tabitha proposes a new business opportunity that will feature Clare in a lead role she can’t help but join in but it will force her to interfere with people lives eventually putting her own safety at risk.

The Things We Do For Our Friends is an examination of the effects of childhood trauma, toxic friendships and the danger of being a young female in the world. Though this is not a thriller in the strictest sense there is a slow ramping up of tension when Clare decides to take charge and slowly reveals who she really is. And the reader starts to wonder…who really is the victim? And can you ever start over again or are you destined to repeat the past?

The characters aren’t the most likable and some of the things that happen will give you the serious icks. I enjoyed how the author slowly revealed Clare’s backstory and what her friends were really up to without a lot of cheesy foreshadowing. The descriptions of Edinburgh was also atmospheric and enthralling. The book is nicely paced and I never felt like it was boring or slow even if there wasn’t a ton of action.

Overall, this is a solid book for readers that don’t mind not having someone to root for with characters that are all a little unhinged. Though there is a lot of tension and some suspense it’s not a twisty over the top thriller either but instead acts as a dark examination of toxic friendships and psychopathy.

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was drawn to this book by the description and the book cover, but the book fell short of my expectations. The characters were all unlikable, dark and toxic. There was not one character that I wanted to empathize with.
The story seemed to drag on and I struggled to finish the book.

Sorry, but this one was not a good read for me.

I was intrigued when I read The Things We Do to Our Friends blurb. It called to me with one sentence: “What is the cost of an extraordinary life if others have to pay?” So, I decided to accept the publisher’s invitation. I am glad that I did because this book was a good read. It was a little fever-dreamish in some spots and frantic in others, but a good read.

The Things We Do to Our Friends is a fast past, almost frantic book that takes place mainly in Edinburgh, Scotland. There are side trips to Hull, England, and a few areas in France (Limoges and Perigueux). Those side trips help give insight into Clare and Tabitha’s backstories.

The storyline for The Things We Do to Our Friends was exciting and terrifying at the same time. Clare is at the University of Edinburgh for reasons only explained later in the book. Something horrible happened in the past, and she is desperate to put it behind her and atone for it. Unable to make friends, Clare sets her sights on a group of rich kids in her art history class: Tiffany, Imogen, Samuel, and Ava. As she integrates herself with the group, Clare is thrilled that she is finally living the life she was meant to (but never forgetting what brought her to Scotland, to begin with). Things start to go sideways when Clare’s past is revealed, and Tiffany decides to capitalize on it. Then, she begins to realize what her friends are capable of doing. Will Clare be able to back out? Or will Tiffany’s plans push her over the edge?

What I liked the most about this book is that the author wrote the characters (all of them) not to be likable. I am not complaining; far from it. It was a refreshing take from the usual characters. Where one is morally grey/evil, the others are squeaky clean. In this book, they were all morally grey/evil, and there was not one character that I would even put into the squeaky-clean category.

Clare—The author did a great job of writing her. She caught my attention from the beginning of the book. While I guessed what happened (there is a prologue in France that explains), I didn’t understand her involvement until almost the book’s end. I think she wanted to change, but she got caught up with Tiffany and company, and they exploited her (well, at the beginning). I also believe she was a product of her environment, and I’ll leave it at that. What she went through with her parents sickened me, and explained so much.
Tiffany—Oh, Tiffany, where do I start with you? She was so damaged that it radiated off the pages. She, too, was a product of her environment; like Clare, it wasn’t in a good way. I also think she was mentally ill towards the end of the book. The author never confirmed it, but it was always in the back of my head while reading.
The Things We Do to Our Friends fits perfectly into the mystery/thriller/suspense genre. The mystery angle was well written, and I was surprised at what was revealed. The same for the thriller and suspense. I could not put this book down!

The plotline with Clare, her secret, and how her friends used it to force her to do what they wanted was well written. As I mentioned above, I guessed what happened because of the prologue. But what was revealed was a shock and the label Clare mentioned. Looking back, there were plenty of hints leading up to it. I thought it was sick and cruel that her friends decided to use Clare’s secret to strongarm her into helping them with their scheme. I also predicted what would happen when things started to go south. But in no way was I prepared for the twist. Again, it made sense once it happened, but it still took me by surprise. It also tied into the secondary storyline with Clare as an adult. Won’t say how but I will say that it made sense to me why adult Clare kept cutting in.

Several minor storylines are absorbed into the main one at several points during the book. They add extra depth to the main storyline mainly because they explain specific events, what led to them, and the consequences.

There are trigger warnings in The Things We Do to Our Friends. They would be mental illness and child abuse. There are more that I want to add, but I can’t because of spoilers. Talk about frustrating!!! If any of these triggers you, I strongly suggest not reading this book.

The end of The Things We Do to Our Friends was anticlimactic. The author was able to wrap everything up in a way that made sense but also frustrated me.

I recommend The Things We Do to Our Friends to anyone over 21. There is nongraphic sex, language, and violence.

I want to thank Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Bantam, and Heather Darwent for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

The Things We Do to Our Friends by Heather Darwent is a really good read! This book had me from the first few pages. This book keeps the reader guessing with plot twists and deepening story lines. I never knew how it was going to end which makes it a change from a lot of books where you can guess the ending. This story is dark, uncomfortable, and riveting. I loved it and would definitely recommend.

Dark, twisted and atmospheric, this novel drew me in somewhat against my will. I was expecting more to do with college life in Edinburgh, but the storyline veered so far away from that, I had to repeatedly remind myself these characters were supposed to be in college. None of the characters were likeable, but I still absolutely had to know what was going to happen next.

The Things We Do to Our Friends, the debut novel by Heather Darwent, focuses on Clare, a seemingly nice yet lonely girl who migrates to Edinburgh, Scotland for university. She's new to the area and finding her way when she meets Tabitha and her crew. They're cool, rich, and fond of telling elaborate stories of their exploits, real and imagined. She soon finds out that Tabitha has a dangerous idea that could yield them lots of money but put their lives in peril. It's the type of thing that Clare may have been capable of in the past, but she's trying to travel the straight and narrow path. But her attraction to this group could divert her from that goal if she gets more involved than she already is.

The first thing you notice in this book is the striking cover. It's bound to draw your attention and make you wonder how it works with the plot. It's open to interpretation. It's incredibly weird and disconcerting but kind of goes with the book.

The writing really shines because it's so lyrical. Even when you're reading about something dark and disturbing, which happens here and there, you're drawn into the book. It's enjoyable to read and escorts you throughout it.

I cannot say that I liked any of the characters, though. The main character seems innocuous until you get wind of her past and her present. I couldn't figure her out and felt like the writing hides the deficits of the character, so you're thinking, this girl may be nuts or not but not getting a clear enough picture to care. I didn't feel much empathy for her even in the beginning. I thought, what's so great about this "mean girls" troop? Why not find normal people who aren't trying to figure out ways to hurt others or top each other? But she doesn't click with any of those people, including her roommates who are puzzled by everything she does.

As you go through the story, you learn about this "business idea" that Tabitha has. I still cannot figure out why this girl had this idea. The genesis of it does not really stem from anything that concrete, and I cannot imagine that they wouldn't be caught. It's so unrealistic and destructive. Some of the events are truly horrifying but some of the characters seem nonplussed, including the main character, even when an event turns ugly.

While Clare relates the story to the reader, she mentions her current husband. I kept expecting a hook with this one but nothing ever comes with it. And she's contradictory about how she feels about her husband. I felt that he was so scantily drawn that why bother even mentioning him or creating this character who adds nothing to the story? I think there could have been more to that. And the epilogue was not really important. It could have been eliminated for more of a shocking ending, which I would have preferred. This could have been achieved because there's plenty to shock readers in this book.

First things first...this cover is gorgeous!

The Things We Do to Our Friends is a story of dark twisty academia set in Scotland. I've read a ton of mysteries and thrillers over the past year and this one felt fresh and unique.

Clare is beginning her year at university and is excited at the prospect of change. A new place and a new life. She is desperate to have friends, have fun, and fit in. But at what cost? Is a toxic friendship better than no friends at all?
This book is a slow burn but kept my interest. Not all of the characters were likable but it felt more of like a love to hate. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine-Bantam for granting my wish. 3.5 stars.

The Things We Do to Our Friends starts out as a dark academia novel, but it really isn’t. Instead, the University of Edinburgh serves as the meeting ground for a clique of well-to-do psychopaths and a new girl Clare (the narrator) who desperately wants to join the group. While the clique is shiny on the outside, like an overripe fruit the inside is godawful. Much of the novel is taken up with the story of Tabitha, the apparent head of the clique, whose father has cut her off financially so that she is forced to come up with a number of unsavory schemes to raise money. But what is the story with Clare? Why won’t her parents speak to her anymore? Why would she find this clique so attractive? The characters are all thoroughly dislikable, but the plot is so well-paced and keeps you guessing which makes the book hard to put down.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a courtesy copy of this book.

This book took me awhile to get through. Most of the book I felt as if I was just reading a general fiction book and I wasn't sure of the plot or where the book was even headed. I guess you could say I was bored. However, I felt the tension of something major about to happen, so I read on.

Unfortunately, I don't feel like it ever came to fruition the way I'd hoped. Sure, there was a mystery to be revealed of Clare's past as well as the scandalous work of the present, but nothing felt like a pinnacle or a peak.

I can't say I really loved any of the characters. They were well written, but I just didn't find any of them interest.

Overall, this one didn't meet my expectations.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of the book to review. This was a really inventive thriller.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Dark with unlikable and unreliable characters, it dragged a bit.

Date made up. I feel behind on reviews.

I enjoyed the writing and the setting of this one. The moody Edinburgh setting and the dark academia vibes immersed me in the story. In addition, I thought the story was well constructed, carrying the thread of mystery through to the end with some twists.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This was a solid 3.5-star read for me! It felt like a debut at moments, meandering a little or feeling less tuned than I hoped for, but I'll be eager to read more from Darwent.

Clare has a past and when she goes to the University of Edinburgh, her hopes are to reinvent herself. There she is pulled into a circle of friends that groom her for their future prospects.

I wanted to enjoy this but it didn't click the way I wanted. It has an excellent opening scene that had me riveted and excited for the path of the plot. But where things go isn't the route I had thought. Things drag along slowly and a lot of what is being expressed is repetitive. I found myself waiting for things to wrap up.

The characters are highly morally grey and I found each one unlikable in different ways. They do have interesting backstories and the author builds intricate character depth throughout the book that I did enjoy.

Though this wasn't for me, I recommend checking out other reviews because it may be one you end up highly enjoying. Thank you Random House Publishing-Ballatine for the gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Creepy and disturbing (mostly in a good way), and definitely enthralling.

Edinburgh felt like a great place to set a novel like this, though be warned: the University and the characters’ connection to it is minimal at best. In other words, if you’re looking for Dark Academia, look elsewhere.

While it employs a lot of the same psychological elements and strange relationships as, say, The Secret History, it has neither the atmosphere nor the academic bent of that book or others of its subgenre.

Still, I can’t help but think this book would be compelling to the same audience, and it certainly felt wryly eerie and sharp in a way that makes for a compelling novel. This probably isn’t the book for you if you need to truly like the characters of a novel, but it’s an excellent piece of sharp Literary Fiction that is delightfully disturbing and macabre.

Here we go again. Awkward girl goed to college (always a girl here) and weirdly gets in with a group she thinks is the coolest. Most people thing they are the weirdest. Or most obnoxious. But awkward girl is just happy to be involved. This is a group of fake people. People who don’t have anything to offer. Somehow this awkward kid is always poor and, obviously, taken in by the rich kids. The rich kids are always damaged, too. Because having momey means you don’t care about your kids. So does having no money. The message-Stay middle class, kids!

This book was entirely atmosphere which isn't bad at all, but wow. I did not particually care for any of the main characters. They should've have been engaging but to me, I didn't feel it.

The plot felt like it both dragged and then sped up as we got closer to the end. The "twist" (either of them technically) were well done I guess, but by the time we got to them, I did not care.

I ...maybe dark academia isn't for me. I don't think this was dark academia but it was dark and there was academia. Either way, not the thriller I went into the book expecting.

Lovely cover though!

Thank you to Bantam and NetGalley for a copy to read and review.

2.5 rounded up to 3

From the description to the beautiful cover, I so couldn’t wait to dive in to revisit the beautiful city of Edinburgh. I will say it is well written, descriptive and disturbing at times. But the story itself left me cold and unable to connect with or like any of the characters.

Clare is headed to college to find herself and find a group of friends where she can belong. She feels like an outcast and always on the outside looking in at the beautiful people. But, looks are often deceiving. She thinks she found her people, and falls in head first ready to please. What happens is a crazy ride that might just leave you shaking your head.

This debut novel just wasn’t for me, but I would be interested to see what the author does next. The writing is so well done that I’d read her again.

Thanks to Random House/Ballantine for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

This is just not the right book for me. Maybe I'm too old. I don't feel a connection with any of the characters, but I do remember meeting mean girls like the ones in the story. Maybe that is why I have no interest in reading any further at about 20% of the novel.