Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

One of the most interesting things about Bring the House Down, for me, was that it seems to be based on author Charlotte Runcie’s own experience in ‘having the tables turned’ when she wrote a bad review about a comedian who then spent the rest of their Edinburgh Fringe Festival appearances eviscerating her onstage. She used that experience as basis for the story but through a lens that delighted and had me going down twisty paths in my own mind - a young female performer, Hayley, does the same but with a critic who gave her a one star review and proceeded to sleep with her without disclosing that. Hayley turns her revamped show, The Alex Lyons Experience, into a critique on misogyny and at one point says something that will stay with me - we identify bad behavior of some men and talk about it in the press, maybe they lose their jobs past that, but we then move on. Why not park on it and reflect back all the people these men hurt publicly and in such a way where they can’t escape their wrongdoings and the general public has more than one impersonal story to see the effects as well?

This book goes deeper than that and also explores many things from personal fulfilment and happiness to the lies we tell ourselves and the perspective we have on our own actions vs others. There are a lot of thought provoking ideas at play and I enjoyed the paths I went down as they were introduced, with Sophie, Alex’s colleague, the facilitator for many of them. Very much a serious read in fun wrapping, you will most definitely have some strong opinions about a good many things at the end.

This was a really fresh look at feminism and misogyny, as well as interpersonal relationships among people who are damaged but are trying their best. I was wholly entertained the entire time and thought the writing was zippy and smart. Easy recommendation for readers who like contemporary fiction with a bit of feminism tossed in.

This is such a unique premise and raised a lot questions art and who gets to be the arbiter of talent and good taste. I enjoyed the "there's two sides to every story" nature of this novel as readers get an interesting glimpse into Alex's mind and rationale as well as Hayley's. Sophie's love for her son was palpable and I liked how she kept an open mind in her job and her personal life.

Set against the vibrant chaos of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this novel tells a story that is as biting as the reviews Alex Lyons pens—unflinching, unapologetic, and uncomfortably honest.

Alex is a fascinating protagonist, as magnetic as he is infuriating. His unyielding commitment to brutal honesty and his lack of remorse make him a character readers will love to hate—or perhaps hate to love. Hayley Sinclair, his unwitting one-night stand and artistic nemesis, is equally compelling. Her transformation from struggling actress to internet sensation, fueled by anger and creativity, is both satisfying and cathartic.

The novel delves into the complexities of perception and bias through Sophie, Alex's colleague and confidante. Alex’s downfall is as much a reckoning for him as it is a lens through which Sophie—and the readers—are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about ambition, morality, and the public appetite for spectacle.

The writing crackles with wit and sharp insight, perfectly capturing the high-stakes world of theater and criticism. While the characters’ flaws are glaring, they are also achingly human, making their conflicts both riveting and relatable.

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