#BookReview: Who Did You Tell? by Lesley Kara
Hi everyone. Harmony here with another book review to share. This one is from an advanced review copy provided via NetGalley and Random House UK. I greatly enjoyed this read, and here’s the book description and my review …
Book Description:
Every town has its secrets. Lesley Kara knows them all . . .
From the author of 2019’s biggest crime thriller debut, The Rumour, comes an addictive new novel . . .
It’s been 192 days, seven hours and fifteen minutes since her last drink. Now Astrid is trying to turn her life around.
Having reluctantly moved back in with her mother, in a quiet seaside town away from the temptations and painful memories of her life before, Astrid is focusing on her recovery. She’s going to meetings. Confessing her misdeeds. Making amends to those she’s wronged.
But someone knows exactly what Astrid is running from. And they won’t stop until she learns that some mistakes can’t be corrected.
Some mistakes, you have to pay for . . .
My Review:
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC of this book.
We meet Astrid, a recovering alcoholic … sober now for 192 days, seven hours and fifteen minutes.
Then we meet the cute hunk, Josh … who still needs to recover from the sudden and tragic death of his mother.
Then there are all the supporting characters and a true-to-life small-British-town feel. A great mix.
I found this to be a fun read, which didn’t go too deep and kept things fairly light despite the content matter. The experiences for both the alcoholic main character and for her supporting characters were realistic, and I felt for the MC and her mother most especially. While I did guess who the culprit was way early, I still enjoyed the getting there part.
The plot has some good twists in there, and following Astrid while she teeters on the edge of the sober-wagon makes for an intriguing and mildly suspenseful read. I found myself rooting for her, and I could easily understand her struggles. I felt that her character arc was well portrayed from weak and a little pathetic to growing stronger and more determined to solve her own problems and get on with her life.
I give this book a strong 4 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Great review, Harmony:) It sounds like a fun read.
I mean for the topic…
A heavy subject matter, Harmony. Alcoholism is such a terrible thing for families. Thanks for this review.
It certainly is, Robbie. I felt that the author handled this topic incredibly well, showing the aftermath for everyone involved while also allowing for hope and healing. Thanks, Robbie 🙂