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What You Made Me Do
An expectant mother gets more than she bargained for when she marries into a seemingly perfect family in this gripping debut novel–a must read for fans of A. J. Finn and B. A. Paris. After surviving a nightmarish childhood, Anneliese Bakker is on the mend and searching for her birth mother. But when she meets Willem, she falls madly in love and finally finds a safe place to land. Engaged and expecting her first child, she moves into the Veldkamp mansion on a stately, tree-lined avenue in Amsterdam. And yet, nothing about Willem’s family is as it seems. Instead of the loving home she has longed for her entire life, she’s confronted with a cold and hostile household.Increasingly isolated, Anneliese is drawn to a creepy basement shrine to Louisa, Willem’s mother. Louisa Veldkamp was a legendary Dutch pianist who presumably drowned–but whose body has never been found. Though still revered by her fans, Louisa is a taboo subject in the family home. Haunted by her own demons, Anneliese must dig into the family’s past to untangle a dark web of secrets, inadvertently putting herself and her unborn child in grave danger.Not knowing who to trust, Anneliese has to decide just how far she is willing to go to safeguard the family life she so desperately seeks.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2024
11 people are currently reading
3811 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Gayle Austin
1 book26 followersBarbara Gayle Austin writes crime fiction. She grew up in Houston, Texas, but has spent most of her adult life in the Netherlands and the UK. She now lives in Amsterdam with her two children and her dog.
WHAT YOU MADE ME DO is Austin’s debut novel, a thriller set in Amsterdam and a Dutch island in the Wadden Sea. The novel was longlisted for the esteemed Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger award (under the title LOWLANDS). Her short stories have been longlisted in the Margery Allingham short mystery competition and in the Aestas 2022 competition.
Austin is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association in the UK and International Thriller Writers.
Links:
My Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Barbara...
My Website:
https://bgaustin.nl
WHAT YOU MADE ME DO is Austin’s debut novel, a thriller set in Amsterdam and a Dutch island in the Wadden Sea. The novel was longlisted for the esteemed Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger award (under the title LOWLANDS). Her short stories have been longlisted in the Margery Allingham short mystery competition and in the Aestas 2022 competition.
Austin is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association in the UK and International Thriller Writers.
Links:
My Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Barbara...
My Website:
https://bgaustin.nl
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
September 20, 2024
With quite the intriguing premise, What You Made Me Do introduced me to one truly dysfunctional family. With dark secrets and a multitude of long-buried lies, the story had a wealth of mysteries to uncover throughout the deftly layered plot. Told via multiple POVs and dual timelines, it was a pleasure to see each revelation from all sides. And let me tell you, the twists and turns were plentiful to be sure.
There were, unfortunately, some aspects that didn’t entirely win me over, however. Narrated in a somewhat dry manner, it was hard to become fully invested. And while nearly all of the characters had deliciously deep backstories that illustrated fully fleshed out personas, I just couldn’t connect with nary a one. Well, except for Anneliese, perhaps. After all, her difficult life and complex history drew quite the captivating picture.
The biggest hang up for me, though, was the biggest twist of them all. I can’t reveal what it was, but just know that it mixed shocking with nausea-inducing. Even worse, the conclusion seemed to double down on the twist with the off-putting level dialed up to a ten. I do have to say, however, that it was a finely spun bombshell. Despite seeing through several other reveals, this one was 100% unguessable even to this armchair sleuth master.
All in all, I do have to say that there were plenty of winning attributes to this slow burn tale of domestic suspense. Thanks to various subplots and constant unease, I finished this debut novel in just a matter of hours. So as long as you don’t mind a book that almost felt as though it was a work of translation or the many disturbing topics at play, give this one a go. For me, it might’ve been a step too far here or there, but it still managed to keep me hooked, all things considered. Rating of 3 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
After surviving a nightmarish childhood, Anneliese Bakker is on the mend and searching for her birth mother. But when she meets Willem, she falls madly in love and finally finds a safe place to land. Engaged and expecting her first child, she moves into the Veldkamp mansion on a stately, tree-lined avenue in Amsterdam. And yet, nothing about Willem’s family is as it seems. Instead of the loving home she has longed for her entire life, she’s confronted with a cold and hostile household.
Increasingly isolated, Anneliese is drawn to a creepy basement shrine to Louisa, Willem’s mother. Louisa Veldkamp was a legendary Dutch pianist who presumably drowned–but whose body has never been found. Though still revered by her fans, Louisa is a taboo subject in the family home. Haunted by her own demons, Anneliese must dig into the family’s past to untangle a dark web of secrets, inadvertently putting herself and her unborn child in grave danger.
Not knowing who to trust, Anneliese has to decide just how far she is willing to go to safeguard the family life she so desperately seeks.
Thank you to Barbara Gayle Austin and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 20, 2024
Scroll down for a potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: child abuse, ableism, incest, mention of: infidelity
There were, unfortunately, some aspects that didn’t entirely win me over, however. Narrated in a somewhat dry manner, it was hard to become fully invested. And while nearly all of the characters had deliciously deep backstories that illustrated fully fleshed out personas, I just couldn’t connect with nary a one. Well, except for Anneliese, perhaps. After all, her difficult life and complex history drew quite the captivating picture.
The biggest hang up for me, though, was the biggest twist of them all. I can’t reveal what it was, but just know that it mixed shocking with nausea-inducing. Even worse, the conclusion seemed to double down on the twist with the off-putting level dialed up to a ten. I do have to say, however, that it was a finely spun bombshell. Despite seeing through several other reveals, this one was 100% unguessable even to this armchair sleuth master.
All in all, I do have to say that there were plenty of winning attributes to this slow burn tale of domestic suspense. Thanks to various subplots and constant unease, I finished this debut novel in just a matter of hours. So as long as you don’t mind a book that almost felt as though it was a work of translation or the many disturbing topics at play, give this one a go. For me, it might’ve been a step too far here or there, but it still managed to keep me hooked, all things considered. Rating of 3 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
After surviving a nightmarish childhood, Anneliese Bakker is on the mend and searching for her birth mother. But when she meets Willem, she falls madly in love and finally finds a safe place to land. Engaged and expecting her first child, she moves into the Veldkamp mansion on a stately, tree-lined avenue in Amsterdam. And yet, nothing about Willem’s family is as it seems. Instead of the loving home she has longed for her entire life, she’s confronted with a cold and hostile household.
Increasingly isolated, Anneliese is drawn to a creepy basement shrine to Louisa, Willem’s mother. Louisa Veldkamp was a legendary Dutch pianist who presumably drowned–but whose body has never been found. Though still revered by her fans, Louisa is a taboo subject in the family home. Haunted by her own demons, Anneliese must dig into the family’s past to untangle a dark web of secrets, inadvertently putting herself and her unborn child in grave danger.
Not knowing who to trust, Anneliese has to decide just how far she is willing to go to safeguard the family life she so desperately seeks.
Thank you to Barbara Gayle Austin and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 20, 2024
Scroll down for a potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: child abuse, ableism, incest, mention of: infidelity
August 19, 2024
I do like this book and it had an awesome twist, but I just didn't love this, its hard to put a finger on it, but the dtory seemed tad all over the place. Also a very Icky plot dealing with incest 🤢, so just fyi,
A woman sets out to find her biological mother, upon finding her, said mother does not want to have anything to do with her. Then she sets out to incorporate herself into said family, while keeping her identity secret; only to be thrown for a loop when she finally comes to the real TRUTH!
solid 3 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape for this ARC!! Beyond humbled
What You Made Me Do out Aug 20th 2024!
A woman sets out to find her biological mother, upon finding her, said mother does not want to have anything to do with her. Then she sets out to incorporate herself into said family, while keeping her identity secret; only to be thrown for a loop when she finally comes to the real TRUTH!
solid 3 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape for this ARC!! Beyond humbled
What You Made Me Do out Aug 20th 2024!
August 29, 2024
“What you made me do” follows Anneliese our FMC who is on the search for her birth mother. Her childhood was traumatic and she is looking for the warm embrace of family.
She seizes opportunity and traps Willem into a marriage by purposefully getting pregnant. He is seemingly her “safe space” and at first appears to offer everything she has been looking for, including an in with his family. However she soon learns his family isn’t as ideal as it may appear from the outside, there are a lot of dark secrets shared in their pasts and her own secret can’t stay secret forever!
Tense, twisty, isolated and shocking! The plot has two different timelines which was a bit confusing at first but once I realized what was going on and who was who it made it easier to keep up. There is a lot of drama at all points throughout the book.
Give it a try if you’re a fan of A. J. Finn and B. A. Paris.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, Barbara Gayle Austin and NetGalley for the earc!
Publish date: August 20th 2024
.
She seizes opportunity and traps Willem into a marriage by purposefully getting pregnant. He is seemingly her “safe space” and at first appears to offer everything she has been looking for, including an in with his family. However she soon learns his family isn’t as ideal as it may appear from the outside, there are a lot of dark secrets shared in their pasts and her own secret can’t stay secret forever!
Tense, twisty, isolated and shocking! The plot has two different timelines which was a bit confusing at first but once I realized what was going on and who was who it made it easier to keep up. There is a lot of drama at all points throughout the book.
Give it a try if you’re a fan of A. J. Finn and B. A. Paris.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, Barbara Gayle Austin and NetGalley for the earc!
Publish date: August 20th 2024
.
December 11, 2024
This is not the book I was hoping for when I read the description. Foremost I think it is important to highlight a trigger warning for incest and child abuse. I could have gone with the messed up family/incest plot line if it weren’t for the ending. It didn’t help that even before that not a single character in this book was likable. Characters that should have been likable fell flat and seemed less than. The mystery itself was ok I guess but it wasn’t very twisty. The foreshadowing to the ending was not subtle and I knew where the book was going. There were a lot of characters and timelines and it was hard to follow at times, especially since I did the audiobook. I’m not going to summarize this one, I think I would slip into giving things away but the book flap description is good. I honestly haven’t disliked a book so much in a long time, I seriously considered giving it one star, but I did like the narrator for the audiobook and some of the descriptions. I also didn’t so strongly dislike it until about the last third so I went with 1.5 stars rounded up.
August 21, 2024
3.5*...An impressive debut. This was a multi-layered story with lots of memorable characters and has left me thinking for days. The premise grabbed me, but I'm not sure in the end it was anything I was expecting at all. I definitely could not have predicted where each character would meet their fate. This psychological drama set in the Netherlands and Amsterdam was a haunting tale with a gripping dialogue. The storyline, despite its multiple timelines, was able to be followed with no distractions. It was a slow-burn, but it continued to build until the multiple twists at the end.
I thought the narrator did a good job of keeping my attention throughout and handling the various characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books/Dreamscape Audio for this ARC. All opinions are mine.
I thought the narrator did a good job of keeping my attention throughout and handling the various characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books/Dreamscape Audio for this ARC. All opinions are mine.
February 13, 2024
This is one of those novels you are sure you're going to love at the outset, but there are about 10 main characters and so it becomes confusing as there are different time periods as well! It begins with Hendrik and wife Louisa--who is a famed pianist--and their twins Willem and Jurriaan. And then things get wild as there are murders, births, bullies, false identities, proposals, and a suicide! Reading over my notes, I'm still not sure I got it all right. But I did end up enjoying it as even though it's a convoluted story (which I like) it was difficult to follow...so read it slowly!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
August 4, 2024
What You Made Me Do is a disturbing, twisty, addictive, shocking tale that will keep you absolutely hooked from start to finish. There are a lot of characters and alternate timelines, but for me it never got confusing or overwhelming. The way the author did it was masterful and her writing absolutely engaging. There are definitely some themes that won't work for everyone and that did give me the ick, I won't go into too much details, but check your trigger warnings.
All these characters are full of juicy secrets. There are clues all over that are revealed at the perfect times to keep the suspense creeping. Everything was intricately constructed and intelligently written and revealed. The short chapters and the fact that most of them ended on cliffhangers just made you want to read one more chapter. The twists and turns truly kept me guessing up until the very end, I thought I had it figured out, well I didn't.
Fantastic debut, written perfectly, did not feel over the top or unbelievable. The suspense and tension was kept until the very end. The secrets, the plot, the story were so juicy and I can't wait to read more by this author !
🎧 The narration by Andi Ardnt was really amazing. She kept me so hooked from the beginning, her tone was perfect, her voice, I was never confused as to which character she was voicing. It was a really great listen.
✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia & @barbaragayleaustin for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.
All these characters are full of juicy secrets. There are clues all over that are revealed at the perfect times to keep the suspense creeping. Everything was intricately constructed and intelligently written and revealed. The short chapters and the fact that most of them ended on cliffhangers just made you want to read one more chapter. The twists and turns truly kept me guessing up until the very end, I thought I had it figured out, well I didn't.
Fantastic debut, written perfectly, did not feel over the top or unbelievable. The suspense and tension was kept until the very end. The secrets, the plot, the story were so juicy and I can't wait to read more by this author !
🎧 The narration by Andi Ardnt was really amazing. She kept me so hooked from the beginning, her tone was perfect, her voice, I was never confused as to which character she was voicing. It was a really great listen.
✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia & @barbaragayleaustin for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2024
There was something about this book that made it not for me. There was a huge twist that was disturbing, but that wasn’t why I couldn’t connect with this story.. There was great character development, but I felt disconnected to all of the characters. This book was a good debut, but it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. Overall, I don't think I was the right audience for this one. I recommend reading it for yourself. It might be your next 5 star read!!
The narrator did a good job. I feel as though the dry manner in which she narrated fit the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
The narrator did a good job. I feel as though the dry manner in which she narrated fit the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
August 21, 2024
I was going to rate this 4⭐ but I feel repulsed from the ending.
Otherwise, this story was a fast paced mystery thriller and there was a lot of suspense throughout the book. A lot of character perspectives.Trying to figure out what the characters were lying about and which parts of their versions of the story were true. The author did a good job keeping the secrets and truths hard to figure out.
I received a free arc copy through Netgalley for review, all opinions are my own.
Otherwise, this story was a fast paced mystery thriller and there was a lot of suspense throughout the book. A lot of character perspectives.Trying to figure out what the characters were lying about and which parts of their versions of the story were true. The author did a good job keeping the secrets and truths hard to figure out.
I received a free arc copy through Netgalley for review, all opinions are my own.
August 20, 2024
Usually, I really enjoy something like this. There are a lot of characters to keep track of and not a likeable one in the bunch.
August 20, 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for the book #WhatYouMadeMeDo by #BarbaraGayleAustin. Anneliesse has always wondered who her birth mother is and has set out to find her. During her search she falls for a man named Willem and ends up pregnant. When she moves into his family home she doesn’t feel welcome or happy. What secrets are buried here? Did she make a mistake?
July 29, 2024
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.
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.
September 27, 2024
The book went for major shockers.... Those were the only good parts. Everything in between was just ok. It was like a slow rumble then a quick BOOM and back to a rumble. It didn't work for me. I need a build up.
The characters were well written and I the premise was decent, I just didn't connect as well with this one as I normally would.
The book was loaded with family dysfunction, dark secrets and a ton of abuse. Normally these books pack a punch but this one... was just OK.
3 stars
The characters were well written and I the premise was decent, I just didn't connect as well with this one as I normally would.
The book was loaded with family dysfunction, dark secrets and a ton of abuse. Normally these books pack a punch but this one... was just OK.
3 stars
January 15, 2025
“What you Made Me Do” had an exciting and complex plot that made it difficult for me to put the book down. Not many books reach the market in the USA that take place in the Netherlands. I found the exotic locale (for an American) and intricate plot kept my interest up. I didn’t want the book to end. Despite my focus on unraveling the mysteries, the author deftly left me pleasantly surprised as all was revealed.
October 5, 2024
Family secrets aplenty in this psychological thriller. I know the Amsterdam setting well, being my hometown, and Austin captures its darker side. The dual timelines and multiple points of view keep the pages turning as events unfold. A strong debut.
October 9, 2024
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes, etc: Manipulative FMC, Pregnant on Purpose, Dual Timeline
POV: Multiple, 3rd Person
The Praise: This book was interesting and kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had it figured out, it would give me new information that completely changed my theory. The author did a good job creating characters that were interesting, sympathetic, and sometimes just awful. I listened to the audiobook of this and I really enjoyed the narrator.
The Critique: I feel like the blurb for this book doesn’t fully match the actual story. The blurb makes it seem like Anneliese just stumbled into the Veldkamp family by way of falling for Willem, but she’s purposeful about it from the very beginning.
I also felt the ending left something to be desired.
Final Thoughts: This book was fine. The story was interesting and kept me on my toes. I just didn’t love the ending.
I received an Audio ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media!
August 26, 2024
What You Made Me Do is a creepy thriller that will have your mind tripping over what could be happening. This one isn’t for the faint of heart. If you don’t handle disturbing well, don’t pick this one up. If you do, this one will definitely keep you engaged.
The narrator did a great job bringing this novel to audio. I felt like the narrator made each POV clear, as did the author with introducing POV and time in each scene. I listened to the audiobook at 1.75x speed (my normal is 1.75-2x speed).
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audiobook copy.
The narrator did a great job bringing this novel to audio. I felt like the narrator made each POV clear, as did the author with introducing POV and time in each scene. I listened to the audiobook at 1.75x speed (my normal is 1.75-2x speed).
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audiobook copy.
Read
August 14, 2024From the book description:
After surviving a nightmarish childhood, Anneliese Bakker is on the mend and searching for her birth mother. But when she meets Willem, she falls madly in love and finally finds a safe place to land. Engaged and expecting her first child, she moves into the Veldkamp mansion on a stately, tree-lined avenue in Amsterdam. And yet, nothing about Willem’s family is as it seems. Instead of the loving home she has longed for her entire life, she’s confronted with a cold and hostile household.Increasingly isolated, Anneliese is drawn to a creepy basement shrine to Louisa, Willem’s mother. Louisa Veldkamp was a legendary Dutch pianist who presumably drowned–but whose body has never been found. Though still revered by her fans, Louisa is a taboo subject in the family home. Haunted by her own demons, Anneliese must dig into the family’s past to untangle a dark web of secrets, inadvertently putting herself and her unborn child in grave danger.Not knowing who to trust, Anneliese has to decide just how far she is willing to go to safeguard the family life she so desperately seeks.
The book is told along two timelines: in 2004, leading up to Louisa Veldkamp’s disappearance; and in the present day. It’s also told from multiple points-of-view. I think every character pretty much gets a chance to be the narrator at some point.
I used the book description because there’s a lot going on in this book, and I didn’t want to spoil anything in trying to describe it myself. The first half, really, sets up the picture of this whole world of dysfunction and misery that then gets flung into overdrive in the second half, when things heat up. And once the main action starts, it does not slow down one bit. The twists and turns just keep happening and you can’t look away.
There was at least one thing that I did guess, and I’m pretty sure that most people will be able to as well. But the other surprises and twists really were worth keeping with the story and I didn’t feel disappointed at all. In fact, I still couldn’t keep reading even with figuring out one piece of the puzzle. Because this family is so screwed up and it’s so intriguing and creepy. It makes for a great mystery/thriller.
And don’t sleep on Anneliese. That’s all I’ll say.
This is a great domestic thriller that is well worth the read. Highly recommend.
After surviving a nightmarish childhood, Anneliese Bakker is on the mend and searching for her birth mother. But when she meets Willem, she falls madly in love and finally finds a safe place to land. Engaged and expecting her first child, she moves into the Veldkamp mansion on a stately, tree-lined avenue in Amsterdam. And yet, nothing about Willem’s family is as it seems. Instead of the loving home she has longed for her entire life, she’s confronted with a cold and hostile household.Increasingly isolated, Anneliese is drawn to a creepy basement shrine to Louisa, Willem’s mother. Louisa Veldkamp was a legendary Dutch pianist who presumably drowned–but whose body has never been found. Though still revered by her fans, Louisa is a taboo subject in the family home. Haunted by her own demons, Anneliese must dig into the family’s past to untangle a dark web of secrets, inadvertently putting herself and her unborn child in grave danger.Not knowing who to trust, Anneliese has to decide just how far she is willing to go to safeguard the family life she so desperately seeks.
The book is told along two timelines: in 2004, leading up to Louisa Veldkamp’s disappearance; and in the present day. It’s also told from multiple points-of-view. I think every character pretty much gets a chance to be the narrator at some point.
I used the book description because there’s a lot going on in this book, and I didn’t want to spoil anything in trying to describe it myself. The first half, really, sets up the picture of this whole world of dysfunction and misery that then gets flung into overdrive in the second half, when things heat up. And once the main action starts, it does not slow down one bit. The twists and turns just keep happening and you can’t look away.
There was at least one thing that I did guess, and I’m pretty sure that most people will be able to as well. But the other surprises and twists really were worth keeping with the story and I didn’t feel disappointed at all. In fact, I still couldn’t keep reading even with figuring out one piece of the puzzle. Because this family is so screwed up and it’s so intriguing and creepy. It makes for a great mystery/thriller.
And don’t sleep on Anneliese. That’s all I’ll say.
This is a great domestic thriller that is well worth the read. Highly recommend.
August 1, 2024
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.
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.
August 21, 2024
Thank you to Barbara Gayle Austin, crooked lane books, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This was… something. I’m 90% sure I know what Annaliesa’s orgin story is, but we are presented with so many scenarios, I’m only making my best guess.
Annaliesa was adopted 3 days after birth. Her older brother always made sure she knew she didn’t share mommy and daddy’s blood like he did. Not only did he tease her, he terrorized her along with most of those in their town.
On the anniversary of her brother’s untimely death, she starts on a path to find her birth mother. When she couldn’t get in touch with her directly, she digs deeper. Along the way, she meets William and falls pregnant and in love. They get engaged. This gets you about 2/3 of the way through the book. The description gives most of this away and I wish it hadn’t. I kept waiting to meet the engaged expectant mother. There was so much more to this story. The abusive mother. The manipulative step sister. The relationships inside the home. The father who can’t see his wife’s true self. Williams twin brother who suffered trauma at birth that follows him through life. Neither of Williams parents had many redeeming qualities. Oh and the man that was accused of being a pedophile when all he did was look on the beach for treasures. So many characters.
Also. Super cringe. In the end I didn’t like Annalisa and wanted better for Katya.
This was… something. I’m 90% sure I know what Annaliesa’s orgin story is, but we are presented with so many scenarios, I’m only making my best guess.
Annaliesa was adopted 3 days after birth. Her older brother always made sure she knew she didn’t share mommy and daddy’s blood like he did. Not only did he tease her, he terrorized her along with most of those in their town.
On the anniversary of her brother’s untimely death, she starts on a path to find her birth mother. When she couldn’t get in touch with her directly, she digs deeper. Along the way, she meets William and falls pregnant and in love. They get engaged. This gets you about 2/3 of the way through the book. The description gives most of this away and I wish it hadn’t. I kept waiting to meet the engaged expectant mother. There was so much more to this story. The abusive mother. The manipulative step sister. The relationships inside the home. The father who can’t see his wife’s true self. Williams twin brother who suffered trauma at birth that follows him through life. Neither of Williams parents had many redeeming qualities. Oh and the man that was accused of being a pedophile when all he did was look on the beach for treasures. So many characters.
Also. Super cringe. In the end I didn’t like Annalisa and wanted better for Katya.
August 26, 2024
I would like to thank Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to What You Made Me Do by Barbara Gayle Austin, in exchange for an honest review.
The Veldkamps are a wealthy family living in a mansion in Amsterdam. Meet Louisa, a famous pianist, her rich inventor husband Hendrik, twin boys Willem and Jurriaan, and Louisa’s step-sister Catia. Dark, deep-rooted secrets surround this family and keep the reader guessing at all times, trying to figure out how the pieces of information given connect to the occurrences.
Next, meet Anneliese, an adopted girl with a troubled family. She is looking for her birth mother, desperately wanting her own connection to a family where she felt she rightfully belonged. She harbors her own hidden secrets, which intertwine with the Veldkamp family in a deeply sinister way.
Mystery swirls around this novel from the very beginning of the atmospheric prologue and continues right through to the ending. Just as I thought I had figured things out, I was so wrong. There are multiple layers to this story. This novel flashes back between timelines and is told from multiple POV’s. The narrator kept me engaged and wanting to unearth more layers to this dark novel, attempting to figure out what was really going on. This is a perfect title for the story What You Made Me Do, as it has SO many meanings and references to this novel. Out for publication on August 20, 2024.
The Veldkamps are a wealthy family living in a mansion in Amsterdam. Meet Louisa, a famous pianist, her rich inventor husband Hendrik, twin boys Willem and Jurriaan, and Louisa’s step-sister Catia. Dark, deep-rooted secrets surround this family and keep the reader guessing at all times, trying to figure out how the pieces of information given connect to the occurrences.
Next, meet Anneliese, an adopted girl with a troubled family. She is looking for her birth mother, desperately wanting her own connection to a family where she felt she rightfully belonged. She harbors her own hidden secrets, which intertwine with the Veldkamp family in a deeply sinister way.
Mystery swirls around this novel from the very beginning of the atmospheric prologue and continues right through to the ending. Just as I thought I had figured things out, I was so wrong. There are multiple layers to this story. This novel flashes back between timelines and is told from multiple POV’s. The narrator kept me engaged and wanting to unearth more layers to this dark novel, attempting to figure out what was really going on. This is a perfect title for the story What You Made Me Do, as it has SO many meanings and references to this novel. Out for publication on August 20, 2024.
June 26, 2024
I found Barbara Gayle Austin’s debut novel a real joy to read! It’s a whirlwind of pacey narrative, hidden clues and revealing timeline switches, as the story moves between concert halls, and the upper class homes of Amsterdam, to the mudflats of the mysterious island of Wexalia in the Wadden Sea.
‘What You Made Me Do’ is packed with short chapters and plenty of twists and cliff hangers. There’s a creeping air of tension throughout, which is gradually ramped up with interwoven timelines and character memories. Family interrogations, diary entries and formative childhood events give the layers of the story plenty of space to unravel until the dark truth is revealed! Austin’s eye (and nose) for detail really brings the locations and scenes to life, and she knows just which gut-wrenching character perspective to deliver with each chapter.
‘WYMMD’ feels like it’s in a literary category all of its own, you could call it a genealogical thriller or a DNA detective tale. The characters are superbly fleshed out, especially the manipulative mother and concert pianist Louisa Veldkamp. It’s easy to imagine another story developing around the central character Anneliese Bakker, or even the local detective Brigadier Terpstra.
All in all I would rate this a 4.5/5, it kept me guessing right to the end without short changing any of the events or characters. Wonderful!
‘What You Made Me Do’ is packed with short chapters and plenty of twists and cliff hangers. There’s a creeping air of tension throughout, which is gradually ramped up with interwoven timelines and character memories. Family interrogations, diary entries and formative childhood events give the layers of the story plenty of space to unravel until the dark truth is revealed! Austin’s eye (and nose) for detail really brings the locations and scenes to life, and she knows just which gut-wrenching character perspective to deliver with each chapter.
‘WYMMD’ feels like it’s in a literary category all of its own, you could call it a genealogical thriller or a DNA detective tale. The characters are superbly fleshed out, especially the manipulative mother and concert pianist Louisa Veldkamp. It’s easy to imagine another story developing around the central character Anneliese Bakker, or even the local detective Brigadier Terpstra.
All in all I would rate this a 4.5/5, it kept me guessing right to the end without short changing any of the events or characters. Wonderful!
August 15, 2024
The prologue for this book had me hyped! I thought we were in for a super fun thriller but instead it spiraled into a bunch of confusing side plots with so many POV’s and lots of time hopping. I hope that the actual published audiobook has the chapters labeled with the characters names and dates so it’s easy to reference when needed. I do, however, feel like the last few hours got more interesting. If not for the last sentence in the prologue and a need to know who it was, I probably wouldn’t have finished this one. I think it would be easier to follow in physical form.
Appreciate NetGalley & Dreamscape Media allowing me an early listen to this book! 🎧
Appreciate NetGalley & Dreamscape Media allowing me an early listen to this book! 🎧
October 14, 2024
3⭐️
I felt like this book started off very strong. I kept guessing what happened but found myself changing my thought process as the chapters progressed. I HATED the ending. Hated it. Hated it! To me, it drastically changed my review of the whole book unfortunately.
I felt like this book started off very strong. I kept guessing what happened but found myself changing my thought process as the chapters progressed. I HATED the ending. Hated it. Hated it! To me, it drastically changed my review of the whole book unfortunately.
August 30, 2024
2.5 stars
Good bones, meh execution
Good bones, meh execution
September 7, 2024
What’s with all the bad reviews? I thought this was a real page turner! Characters were easy to hate and others you rooted for until the end and it turns out that every one of them was fucked up!!! The main male character knowingly seduces or is seduced by his mother’s stepsister…His
Mother has multiple lovers and when the father learns of them he kills her…His girlfriend turns out to be his mother’s child by one of her lovers but was given up for adoption soon after her birth…And she gets herself pregnant so she can get closer to her the women she thought was her mother but wasn’t… Willem propositions his mother’s stepsister as she is caring for his son and is overheard my his new wife… What’s not to love?!? I hope there is a sequel
Mother has multiple lovers and when the father learns of them he kills her…His girlfriend turns out to be his mother’s child by one of her lovers but was given up for adoption soon after her birth…And she gets herself pregnant so she can get closer to her the women she thought was her mother but wasn’t… Willem propositions his mother’s stepsister as she is caring for his son and is overheard my his new wife… What’s not to love?!? I hope there is a sequel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2024
Oh, this was dark and twisted and such a fantastic story!
August 20, 2024
I'm not quite sure what I just listened to. I absolutely loved the cover of this book which is what drew me to it and had me wanting to read it. However, I found it extremely hard to follow and I don't think I still know what the book was about. It had so much going on it felt like too many story lines. The narrator was great! I may try this one again at a later date as I may have just not been ready for this book, I had to really listen and pay attention which seemed like work and not an enjoyable read. Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a free audio of this book!
July 10, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!
This book was a twisty turny delight! You know from the outset of the book that someone was murdered, and I do believe at one time or another as this story ran its course, I suspected every single character! Great read that kept me guessing until the very end, and with an unsettled feeling I have yet to shake for these characters!
This book was a twisty turny delight! You know from the outset of the book that someone was murdered, and I do believe at one time or another as this story ran its course, I suspected every single character! Great read that kept me guessing until the very end, and with an unsettled feeling I have yet to shake for these characters!
August 16, 2024
This book bounces back and forth between present time and the past. At first, it was a little difficult to keep up with and started off a little slow. It then took off and held my attention thanks to its cleverly crafted twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The complex relationships kept me engaged, but the ending left me feeling a bit unsettled which is why I’m giving this book 4 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to receive and review this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to receive and review this ARC.
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