From the description of this book, I felt that it held great promise for an exciting read. I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed. The book is not a thriller or suspenseful at all. The book begins with an epilogue that sets a tone that it fails to uphold later in the book. Clare is introduced to us as the narrator; not quite normal, just a bit awkward. As the book progresses, we see her desire to join a group, but never quite knowing how. I found the book to be more of a character study and less of narrative of an event. The planning for the "project" takes place well over a year and the book dragged on in too many places for me. At times it was just plain boring. The characters were all unlikeable and at times repellent. Clare seemed unable to form connections with people. Every relationship was based on what the other person could potentially give her. You could say the same for Tabitha, who was the ultimate manipulator. When the 'secret' was finally revealed, as that was something I had come to realize early on. The writing itself has good potential from a first book, however, I felt the theme of it once you got to the end checked off every block of textbook behaviors.

Wow! Definitely a book that you can’t put down. I found myself frustrated by all characters yet I was absolutely engaged by them. Some moments you can see coming, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A story someone can read and ponder in one sitting!

I received an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I picked this one up multiple times and about half way through, I started scrolling to see if it would pick up.
I did not finish book, it was not my cup of tea, but I am sure that many readers will find the strange characters intriguing. Thank you Net Galley!

I received an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

I always love checking out new authors. It's exciting to love an author from the start and add them to your "auto buy" category when they release something new. Unfortunately, that will not be the case for this author as I was unable to finish this book. I tried 3 separate occasions to make progress, however, I disliked the writing style, the chapter cut offs, and pretty much all the characters.

This is a slow build, and might take people a bit to get into. But I do think it’s worth it to push through. I was intrigued and wanted to know MORE.

I do think the ending is satisfying, and meshes well with how the book begins.

I will admit, I read this book straight for a day because it kept my interest for the entire time, although when I look back on that, I wonder about my own personality. Why do I like stories about twisted personalities and strange people? Do I see myself in any of the characters? Would I ever behave as the young women in this story do to try and fit in with a group of people I perceive as better than myself?

Don’t worry, friends, I would never go as far as these women did. This is a dark tale of a young woman named Clare with a secret past, who is trying to reconstruct herself and her life by latching on to a group of fellow college students who seem to have a lux and exciting life.

Clare is the trendy new narrator found in many novels recently; unreliable, not likable and with a dirty secret. She finds a group of students (or do they find her?) including Tabitha, the beautiful and formally rich woman the others all orbit around like the sun, Sam, a handsome young man with a penchant for fast cars and fast living, Ava, a deeply layered character, and one I found the most interesting, and Imogen, who loves to cook.

Tabitha draws Clare into her web like a spider, wrapping her up in a life Clare always imagined. They summer in France, they lounge about their fancy pad, they eat scrumptious meals and they play games.

Although not really games, as I would call them. More plots and plans, intricately detailed, dangerous and exciting. And Clare is the chosen star of their newest plan.

None of the characters in this book are likable. None of them have any redeeming qualities. They scare me. The things they do made me squirm. But I kept reading.

Eventually the reader will suss out Clare’s secret and a little about what makes the others the way they are. However, the author does manage to throw in some twists and surprises I did not see coming. The ending was cold and flat, much like I assume Clare’s eye would be. I enjoyed the ending though.

I rate this book 5/5 stars for keeping my interest even though I hated the characters. Thank you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

Clare Just Wanted To Have Friends

Clare has finally broken the chains and moved away to university, now the hard part begins. She wants so badly to fit in and be part of a group of friends, something that has been denied to her all of her young life. She doesn’t know how to talk to people and she doesn’t relate to the rich people that surround her. Suddenly there is Tabitha, fresh, bubbly, and rich, who goes out of her way to talk with Clare, introduce her to her friends, and invites Clare to her home. Is this the friendship that will change Clare’s life?

I started reading this book one evening and as the story began to develop it became clear that the author had written a diary of a person who was looking to create a life for herself. Clare’s thoughts are explored in detail as days and events take place. From the references to a problematic past to her every day struggles to become part of something, the details written into the story are abundant and, at times, tedious.

The book has been classified as a thriller, but I disagree. I would classify it as a fictional biography of a timid female whose need to feel part of something leads her to make poor choices in life. The things she allows herself to take part in are devious and dangerous, with no benefit but to feed her mentor’s ego. The writing is excellent, Heather Darwent has captured Clare’s uncertainty and capitulation perfectly. Readers who enjoy diving into the depths of humanity will certainly enjoy this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House, and the author for an advance copy of this book.

This book did not have any really likable characters. Clare is so eager to reinvent herself and fit in at her new school. Her desperation was palpable and at what cost? A strange group befriends her and they all seem to be under the control of Tabitha. At some points it was not only creepy but disturbing to see the lengths they were willing to go to for revenge on behalf of paying clients.

We follow Clare to a university in Edinburgh as she tries to reinvent herself and forget her past. With all the moody, dark history of Scotland and the mysterious friendships she finds herself entangled in, this book has the perfect Fall/Winter feel to it. It made me want to snuggle up in front of the fireplace with a mug of tea.

While I’m glad it’s a slow burn, I did find myself getting antsy at times trying to figure out where the story was going but was pleasantly drawn into Clare’s ventures as she reinvents herself surrounded by her new, wealthy friends.
Interesting premise and unique story.

If you like plots that keep you guessing and have a bit of a dark undertone, definitely read this novel—the perfect book for cold, dreary days. Not a light summer read, in my opinion.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book has lots of comparison's to Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History', so makes me want to read that for a comparison. I love a good dark, academic thriller, and this book could be what 'The Maidens' was not. It's the story of Clare, as she gets swept up into clique of girls at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. She has a dark past and thinks that getting in with the right crowd might help her forget that. However this gang is a bit different and the price she has to pay might be too high. The pacing is a bit slow in spots, but the writing style is compelling, and there are some good twists 1/2 way through that keep you intrigued until the end.

A solid thriller with Victorian gothic vibes.

Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is set at Edinburgh, where outsider Clare is adopted by a group of charismatic friends, led by blonde Tabitha, and recruited to join a “project” that she never expected. From the book’s vivid, jarring opening, it’s hard not to be both confused and sucked in. It’s not the easiest book to read, because it sucks you in so deeply. An empathetic reader loses themselves alongside Clare, sucked in to Tabitha’s world and plans that often seem as unnecessary as they are dangerous. You learn that sometimes, the villain isn’t who you think, and these realizations aren’t always comfortable. But keep going: the journey is its own reward.

This is a great, creepy, revenge thriller! Clare is low on funds and takes a job at a bar until some young "beautiful" people come in and offer her an opportunity. She has no idea what it will eventually entail but is enticed by these gorgeous women who are willing to lend her clothes and a place to stay when she needs it. And it's a business, albeit an odd one where women who want revenge for cheating spouses will pay for exposure. Of course Clare has no clue that she too, is being "seduced" by these young, rich hipsters who only have their own best interests at heart. It's dark, it's fast-paced, it's one that will keep you up at night for sure!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Clare made some friends at her knew school, one of them being Tabitha who seems to have it all. Clare is still finding her way in a new city while learning her friends are hiding some secrets. This book was ok.

Review Copy

Edinburgh. A college girl (I hesitate to call her anything but a Girl), who is alone and non her own for the first time. So what does she want? She wants to be liked by the 'cool kids'. That alone was enough to turn me off to this snooze. Why does she perceive this group cool? Why doesn't she live in a dorm and introduce herself around? Why is she so pathetic?

The author takes a long time to tell us nothing. I like long, slow books; but they must lead somewhere. And this was going nowhere, uh not fast, but very slowly. I was bored. Give me a reason to read on, engage me, tickle me with her thoughts and secrets, please. I began to skim read. I don't feel like I missed a thing. Every page seemed the same.

The title intrigued me though. What things do YOU do to your friends? I wondered. Sounded nasty and mean. If they are your friends, don't do mean things. Period,

So, I'm somewhere at a two or three rating on this. Somewhere between I didn't like it and It was ok. And that's just because I spent so much time on it, The end didn't make up for the length imo.

Best two words to describe this book: creepy and unhinged - and I mean that in the BEST of ways! If you like dark, secrets, girl gangs, and a splash of pretty little liars wrapped up in one book, this is for you. If toxic friendships and violence aren’t for you- this book won’t be either. I feel like this is a love it or hate it book.

The characters are written so well, especially Clare who is doing her best to hold it all together. The most of the book is from her POV and it seems faulty/biased (how could she be so naive and unaware), but it’s not a bad thing, if anything it adds to her character and makes the book more interesting and real.

I love how the story developed and weaved itself into such a beautiful, haunting book. It does have a slow start, but it reminds me of walking through a foggy graveyard- slowly on winding paths, then paranoid and looking over your shoulder, till finally in one clean swoop the fog is gone and you’re home. That was the long way to say, it’s worth sticking through.

I will say romance isn’t the main premise of the book, which I also adored. Sure there are of course elements of romance, especially a darker side of marriage, but friendship, justice and secrets are the highlights for sure.

There is violence, murder, sex, brief lgbtq, assault, poisoning, blackmail, cheating, family abandonment, mental health and suicide in this book. This is not an all encompassing list of triggers, just the ones that immediately come to my mind.

I received a free ARC via net galley in exchange for a review. This review is my real personal opinion. I wrote this review on my phone, so please forgive any errors.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy of The Thing We Do To Our Friends. I never connected with the writing.
The book was all from the POV of the main character, Clare. She rambled on and on about descriptions of things and kept talking about something in her past. Tabitha was a classic mean girl and also very strange. The story never lived up to its promise because ‘the project’ was a letdown. This book was not for me, but if you like a really dark story that unfolds slowly this book is for you!

Part creepy girl gang, a hint of dark academia, and a lot of rich people doing bad things. "The Things We Do to Our Friends" is about a girl named Clare, who is attending university in Edinburgh and is immediately enamored by her fellow art history student Tabitha. She is welcomed into her group (dubbed the Shiver - like a group of sharks) and it just gets more interesting from there. The group itself is very cryptic and mysterious, and Clare never exactly knows what's going on, even when she's introduced to their secret "project."

I will say, I was hoping for a more dramatic "project." I won't give any spoilers because it's still interesting, but the characters are so interesting and I was expecting the secret project to be really wild (like The Secret History, for example). I think another cool element would have been more connections to art history. I was so excited to see that they were all art history majors -- and while there are some connections to art/instances where the characters discuss art, it is only a few times. I would have loved it to be just fully baked into the plot. I sometimes forgot they were even students, so I think more balance would have been nice. Related, the setting also feels kind of disjointed - they are either at Tabitha's flat, Clare's bar, or some random location, and it's hard to picture what it all looks like.

It's definitely worth the read - it is intriguing throughout, and the foreshadowing is not too heavy-handed. I love how you can't even trust Clare, as you can tell something is wrong with her right from the beginning. She has a lot of secrets, and her mannerisms and thought patterns are just straight up weird (practicing smiling in the mirror, always trying to think of the right thing to say, her obsessive drive to belong). I think each of the other characters are also really well-written; you can hear each one's unique voice. Finally, the prose is extremely well done - you can really sense how Clare is feeling throughout the novel (which is excellent foreshadowing in itself). If you enjoy books where you never really know what's going to happen next, I definitely recommend!

Thank-you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a different type read for me. Besides the location being unfamiliar, these girls were a different type altogether. Were they sociopaths? Psychopaths? I don’t believe I’d ever want to befriend them but they were quite interesting. And isn’t that what draws us to others? Still, it made for a great read. You never know what’s going on behind closed doors but, moreover, you never know what thoughts churn behind a pair of open, guileless eyes…..Best to always keep your own eyes WIDE OPEN🥺😆. I’m interested to read this author’s next book & you will be, too, after this book. Happy reading!!

Thank you so much to Random House for sending me a advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


oh my goodness, this story was a wild ride. you have murder, toxic friendships etc and academia. What more could you ask for? I’m a huge sucker for books with unhinged main characters and that’s exactly what this gave me although I won’t clairify why. I will say that if you loved the secret history like I did. You will love The Things We do to our friends. Can’t wait for this to release!

Really enjoyed this book! It tells the story of Clare, who moves to Edinburgh to attend university, and the group of friends she falls in with. None of the main characters is particularly likeable, and usually that would be enough to turn me off. But they are so interesting, and the plot moves along so quickly, that I found myself unable to put the book down. The author does a great job of hinting at things that happened in the past and teasing them out bit by bit while making connections to the events taking place in the current day. Very cleverly done, especially for a debut author!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!