This was okay. It didn't read like a thriller. In fact, it felt the opposite of thrilling. Many times, my thoughts drifted & I realized I didn't know what had been said. I'd be filled with dread at the thought of having to backtrack & spend more time listening. While there were unexpected twists, it failed to keep my attention. I think this book would be wonderful for someone who's looking for a bleak, depressing read. I've actually seen that requested, so I'll absolutely recommend this book the next time I see a similar request.

With the exception of the brothers, the characters were unlikable (not in a fun or entertaining way). I didn't want to read about them at all. There were several things that felt like filler, which took away from the story & slowed the pacing. For example, the altercation with the kids, Yurion (forgive me if misspelled -this was the audiobook version), the old man, and the dog. Like other stories scattered throughout, this felt unnecessary.

It might've been better if I read a physical copy. The narrator did a great job, however, she pronounced "Anneliese" as "Ana-Leesa," which may very well be the correct pronunciation, but it sounded very similar to "Louisa." When the chapters start with dates & names, having two of them sound similar is annoying. I didn't want to skip back to confirm which I'd heard, so I'd listen another few seconds for clues to figure out who the chapter was about. It got to be tedious, taking me further out of the story. Around the 70% mark, I just wanted it to hurry up & be over.

Thank you to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the ARC! I wish I could leave a better review!

3.5 for this one!

Anneliese Bakker, a woman with a nightmarish past, finds love and shelter in Willem's seemingly perfect family. However, she soon discovers that the Veldkamp family is not what it seems. Drawn to a mysterious basement shrine dedicated to Willem's late mother, Anneliese uncovers dark secrets that put her and her unborn child in danger. Unsure of who to trust, she must decide how far she is willing to go to protect the family life she desires.

This book presents a unique and intriguing narrative. While it was well-written, the story unfolds at a slower pace, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the intricate plot. Although I was able to predict some of the twists, the unexpected and bizarre ending left me surprised.

I found it difficult to connect with most of the characters, particularly those who were being manipulated and abused. It is disheartening to witness the portrayal of such societal issues, but it serves as a reflection of the harsh realities of today's world. The isolated setting of the story adds to the characters' reluctance to seek help, further emphasizing the challenges they face.

The audiobook version of this story is both enjoyable and complex, featuring alternating timelines and a diverse cast of characters. It is filled with tantalizing secrets that keep listeners on the edge of their seats, striking a perfect balance between suspense and eeriness. I recommend listening to it attentively, as the narrators skillfully maintain the story's momentum and captivate the audience with their engaging delivery.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for audiobook ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received an advance audiobook review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Like others have noted, this book is very dark. It’s definitely not a beach read or a popcorn thriller. There’s some pretty intense description of child, abuse and neglect and trauma. It can be hard to get through, even though it’s well crafted. I personally found the payoff to be worth it and I’m glad I got through some of the parts. In the end, I did find the mystery very satisfying. . Not for the faint of heart!

I love the narration but overall this book just made me feel deeply uncomfortable. It was not a bad book but it definitely was not a book for me. I was far too sad for the kids and confused and just I felt gross.
The narrator did fantastic though.

Annelise is a woman with a lot of secrets and she’s marrying into a seemingly perfect family - but (given the genre, duh) all is not as it seems. Annelise will do anything to have the life she always wanted.

While I enjoyed this one and am sure some people will love it, the style wasn’t quite my taste for the genre - I like my thrillers intimate, bingeable, pure hedonistic voyeurism. This was a bit more cerebral than I’m looking for in a thriller and while a slow pace isn’t usually an issue for me (as long as the story is dishy), since this one is told from some remove I felt my interest waning at times.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Andie Arndt, who did a great job.

Thanks, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an atmospheric and decidedly creepy story about a young woman who discovers that her expectations regarding marriage and in-law relationships may turn out to be very far from what she is in fact getting herself into.

After meeting Willem, Anneliese Bakker thinks all her Christmases have come at once. Pregnant and excited at the prospect of a new life with a new family after her nightmarish childhood, Anneliese soon discovers that things might not be quite as she thought.

Ensconced in the family home in Amsterdam, she becomes increasingly drawn to the shrine of Willem's dead mother - someone whom nobody in the somewhat unwelcoming family is willing to discuss, despite her widespread fame as a musician.

Her growing loneliness leads Anneliese towards a dangerous path, digging into long-buried family secrets and bringing forth her own long buried demons...

This one was a mixed bag for me. It is well narrated, but the characters are dark and the story can be confusing at times. Still, conceptually the plot line is both original and clever. Worth checking out if you're looking for an unsettling and suspenseful story full of morally grey characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I was really excited to get approved for this book because the cover drew me in and the plot sounded intriguing, plus Andi Arndt is one of my favorite narrators.

Unfortunately, I thought this book was awful. It totally creeped me out -- not necessarily in a scary way but more in a disgusting way that made feel dirty. I thought the main characters were very unsettling. I may try to listen to this book again at a later date. I was also thinking that Annaliese was going to be the central character, but she was only first introduced in about the fifth chapter. With that being said, I may read another book by Barbara in the future, however, this was a very disappointing debut in my opinion. It is entirely possible that I just wasn't in the right mindset or mood to read this book as well, which is why I say that I may try to listen to this book again in the future.

Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

********


If you are interested in seeing more of my reviews and other content feel free to connect with me here <3:

https://linktr.ee/bookreviewsbyjules (links to my Instagram, Goodreads, TikTok, Storygraph, My blog and Substack newsletter, etc)

If you are a publisher or author who has questions about my reviews (as well as questions about my stats, reach or engagement), please free to email me. I am also open to requests for book reviews from authors or publishers. Thank you again for taking time to read my review, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

WHAT YOU MADE ME DO was very well written, and I'm very happy I was able to get an ALC. I really enjoyed this audiobook but I recommend to listen to it slowly and pay close attention because there's a lot going on. There are alternating timelines and several characters you'll want to keep track of. However, I didn't mind it because it's filled with some pretty juicy secrets. I'd say this story is a perfect mix of suspense and spookiness. I can recommend grabbing a copy and I hope this author writes another book because I will definitely listen to it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my gifted ALC.

This review will shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.