I enjoyed this story line and it kept me guessing. It’s not my favorite by Alex Finlay, but it was still a solid read. The only drawback to this one was the ending. I wasn’t a fan but still encourage thriller lovers to give it a try.

What Have We Done is a fast read with lots of action. The five protagonists are a little over the top- I mean, how realistic is it that five homeless kids become a federal judge, a rock star, a reality show host, a contract killer and a multimillionaire? But they’re likable and you find yourself rooting for them as they try to figure out who’s trying to kill them off and why. The twist at the end is unexpected. Three of five stars.

Thanks to Minotaur Books for the copy of this book.

Our story starts 25 years ago with a dark secret amongst a group of teens in a group home. Fast forward to the present and they're all wildly successful, but someone is out to get them, bringing them back together for a reunion they didn't expect. If you love fast-paced thrillers, add this one to your list! Yes, it's totally over the top and you have to suspend belief, but this is a really fun read. The chapters are short and the POV rotates, which will leave you guessing in this cat-and-mouse game.

Read if you:
- want a fast-paced thriller
- like short chapters
- enjoy action movies

Alex Finley does it again. This was deliciously dark and twisty in the best ways. I have yet to find an Alex Finley book that doesn’t leave my jaw on the floor! Thank you for sending me the ARC. It was one of my most anticipated reads this year!

Five teens made it out of a horrible foster home from which kids disappear. Now, 25 years later, someone is out to get them.
This thriller is told in 3 POVs (the 3 MCs) and 2 timelines (now and then). I liked the past timeline more then the present one. This one definitely wasn't for me. I'm a bit tired of this kind of story, it has to be stellar to catch my interest because I'm under the impression I've read it MANY times before (ie something horrible happened when the characters were teens and it's now back to haut them). I found it repetitive, confusing, and too much was happening. You definitely have to suspend disbelief, and I found the ending fell flat (there was no big surprise/twist). All in all, it wasn't really a thriller (at least not in my book). I've read some other great reviews (and I loved Alex Finlay's 2 other books), so maybe it will be a better fit for you!
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have enjoyed every book Alex Finlay has written, this one is no different.

I could not stop listening. I was way more invested than I usually am and in fact, I did not want to stop to make lunch today.

I also did not figure this one out and I LOVE THAT!! Normally I figure everything out. I love that this story kept me stumped.

4.5 stars and the audio is great with several narrators.

It took me a while to differentiate between all the characters and some parts were so unconvincing that i had a hard time finishing this one. This wasn't my favorite but I do enjoy the author's writing so I'll continue to read his work.

I was in a book slump when I started this book, which is why it took me so long to finish it. I started it, got about 20% of the way through before I put it down and didn’t pick it back up for a minute. It was hard for me to get through it at first, to remember who was who etc, but I’m blaming that on the fact that I put it down and took so long to pick it back up. Once I did pick it back up, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was not expecting most of what happened nor was I expecting the truth. So I do recommend this book and want to thank NetGalley and St. Martins press for allowing me the opportunity to read this arc prior to release date.

I am so thankful to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and Alex Finlay, for granting me an advanced e-copy and access to the audiobook before it's supposed to hit shelves on March 7, 2023.

Jenna, Donnie, and Nico all have a darkened past that's impossible for them to forget, especially when that secret gets unearthed and a hit gets put on them to terminate their mission: life. These former orphans grew up in a group home, headed for nowhere fast, with dozens of kids going missing, left and right.

Years later and they must do everything they can to survive, reunite to join forces, and unveil the motives for those trying to take them out, all while staying incognito within their now, seemingly ordinary lives.

This was a very good thriller with tons of chilling twists and turns. This book lives up to the hype and it definitely deserves the most anticipated books of the year. This book is stay up late call into work good.
I just reviewed What Have We Done by Alex Finlay. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

A fast paced thriller with the plot line of secrets from 20 some years ago coming back to haunt those involved. Fast paced page turner with interesting characters. I enjoyed this book, my first by Alex Finlay.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

A complicated storyline with moving parts that finally come together as the actions of 25 years ago are revealed. Great characters with mostly a rags to riches story for all of them. I definitely didn't figure this one out on my own. Found it a bit hard to get into initially but definitely had me in the second half.

This is my second novel by the author and I'm underwhelmed again.

There are two timelines with two mysteries going on, featuring the same cast of characters. I couldn't care less about either of 'em. We don't spend enough time in the past to be invested in what happens to Marta, Annie, or the teens of Savior House. The flashbacks we receive only give us bits and pieces without enough emotion to make it meaningful. And the whodunit of the present timeline requires more suspension of belief than I'm capable of. I don't even know where to begin. The Corporation, the ditzy twins from hell... Insert eye roll. It was so unbelievable it was predictable, if you know what I mean.

Officially not a Finlay fan.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

For about the first 60% of this I was into the story but a little annoyed that the flashbacks were also in present tense as they were confusing that way. There wasn't any sort of break or "then" chapters so it would just say "Jenna was back there. She is looking at..." and go on in first person so I found myself re-reading for clarity. Aside from that the story is very Jason Bourne/Salt entertaining.
Jenna, Nico, Donnie, and Arty find themselves running for their lives after their childhood friend from the group home they all shared, Benny, ends up dead.
There were some humorous jabs at politicians and congress. There were also some iffy stereotypes that made me pause. I believe they were added just so they could be sort of "debunked" which was odd.
Again, all this until about the 60% mark. The last 40% is a fast-paced action thriller that was really fun. I did guess the twist in this one, but it comes with its own little bonus curveball. Guessing the end didn't ruin it though as the story continues past the twist which brought me to my favorite part of the book. (Can't say, spoiler.)
I do want to note that I LOVED the twins. They were so perfectly one-dimensional. I know we love character growth but not here. It worked really well for them and I would like to now play them in the movie adaptation with my sister.
Overall fun read especially for fans of spy thrillers, political thrillers, action thrillers, action in general.

What Have We Done by Alex Finlay

Published: March 7, 2023
Minotaur Books
Genre: Suspense
Pages: 358
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Alex Finlay lives in Washington, D.C., and is the author of critically-acclaimed novels, including the 2021 breakout, Every Last Fear. His work has appeared on numerous best-of-the-year lists, been published in seventeen languages worldwide, and is currently in development for a major television limited series.

“What have we done?”

Jenna is focused on living with her husband and their children. Making the most out of everything she has. Nico is just trying to get by, working on a successful reality show. Paying his debts on time is his main focus. That and his next bet. Donnie is an aging rockstar who spends too much time at the bottom of a bottle. He lives for the fame, even if it’s been fleeting for years. Artemis is brilliant and has always been smart. Ben is compassionate and protective. But growing up means growing apart. And keeping secrets.

Holy twisted thrill ride. This was bananas from start to finish!

I liked how this story was told, with alternating narrators and perspectives, and timelines. Alex Finlay is such a brilliant storyteller. These characters were so well developed, and their paths were so well curated.

This story was addictive; once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop. And that just kept intensifying the more I read. The way this story is twisted and how the story is connected will leave you speechless.

I loved how this book starts, then seemingly falls into chaos, only to find order again. Finlay has the ability to weave a deliciously twisted tale that will take you further than you thought possible.

Excellent writing and brilliant storytelling; this was so beautifully done. I am already waiting for the next Alex Finlay novel!

Thoughts: This is my first Alex Finlay book and while I didn’t love it, there were elements I did really enjoy. I always love shifting narrators and dual timelines and I really liked the way we got so many perspectives. There is also a lot of action so if you are someone who loves a plot heavy story, I think you may like this one.

My primary criticism is that there wasn’t as much character development as I like, even in thrillers. I think some of the action came at the expense of the characters and really getting a sense of who they are at their core. And in my experience, when I don’t connect with any of the characters, by the time I reach the conclusion, I have very little vested interest in the resolution and what happens to those involved which sadly was the case here.

Read if you like:
•domestic suspense
•action packed books
•dual time lines/POV
•short chapters
•plot heavy stories

Thank you Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I don't have much to say about this. This was a lukewarm thriller that made zero sense and I just gave up even following what was going on about a quarter of the way in. It would have been better had Finlay shown all of the adult characters as kids as a Part I to the book and then Part II shift to them as adults and finding out what was going on. The back and forth took me out of the story and I honestly couldn't keep the male leads straight anymore. The only compelling character to me was the character of Jenna. And even I saw that as a rip-off of other characters from movies and books I have read.

The writing didn't grab me, the pace was glacial and confusing, and though I live in Washington D.C., after a while the driving back and forth had me laughing. Apparently rush hour isn't a thing anymore. Let alone cops not being around if a tourist gets stabbed.

The ending just tried to tie things up in a tidy bow that I didn't really think was true to what came before.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for this ARC. I think What Have We Done had too much going on to enjoy. I started reading this on ebook and I couldn’t get into the story. I ended up being approved for the audiobook and I enjoyed that a lot more. All and all, the plot fell flat for me and I didn’t love this one. This was my first read by this author, but I’d be open to reading another one of their books in the future.

3 stars

After really enjoying Finlay's previous two books, I couldn't wait to jump into the audio version of this one. While it's an engaging enough read/listen, for me, it lacks the excitement and character connections of its predecessors.

There are three characters who switch perspectives here, and they are all tied by a past event and similar childhood circumstances...which are not typical. Readers really have to suspend disbelief and be willing to never get some of the answers they wish were readily available where this is all concerned. Out of the three characters, I found one developed enough to engage with early on, but as soon as I started to care about this character's situation, we were on to the next. Overall, it's challenging to get too invested in characters about whom readers know so little.

While I generally enjoy multi-perspective reads, in this case, that feature exacerbates the disconnect. The three central characters seem so separate, and by the time the connection becomes apparent, it's just tough to buy. Also, when someone has a truly unusual past as these folks all do, it's really surprising that some of them do not start putting specific pieces together sooner. I found some of these discrepancies tough to manage, too.

This is the kind of book I'm happy to listen to while going about my regular errands, cooking, and walking the dogs. It's entertaining, easy to follow, and includes some wild circumstances. That noted, for me, this one just does not reach the level of Finlay's other works. I'm looking forward to seeing a return to those earlier benchmarks in whatever Finlay produces next.

Thank you to Alex Finlay, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of a digital advanced reviewer copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows a group of friends, that bonded together growing up at an orphaned group home. whose is living every mother's worst fear, the one year anniversary of her toddler son, Mason's disappearance. Isabelle's sole purpose in life is now to do anything that to get him back. She meets with a true crime podcaster, Waylon, and agrees to be interviewed for his podcast and soon thereafter, offers to let her stay with him while he does more research for the show. Isabelle quickly begins to see that Waylon seems to know more about her dark and secretive past than he is letting on and is making her out to be her son's kidnapper.

I feel like readers of this book will love it or completely dislike it. I was part of the latter group. I found myself skimming to get through this book as it never grasped me. I have never been into books with assassin killers, so I was automatically turned off by that aspect. I got the vibe that I was reading a James Patterson novel. This feels more like an action novel with a hint of thriller. Which immediately would have put it to the bottom of my TBR. There were multiple POVs, which were well written, but I ended up not liking most of the character POVs. Not a great novel by this author, and the only thing that got me through this book were the short chapters.