After her best friend Bryce’s sudden death is ruled a suicide, Dani is overwhelmed by an unsettling dread that refuses to let go. Yes, Bryce had her struggles, but the idea that she would end her own life just doesn’t make sense. Dani and her husband Trevor are left drowning in questions and a sense of creeping suspicion. Bryce had no shortage of enemies—people who would have wanted to see her silenced. Something about this case feels off, and Dani is determined to peel back every layer of this mystery, no matter how dark or dangerous it becomes.
Dani and Trevor begin their investigation, combing through Bryce’s past—her tangled relationships, hidden threats, and secret dealings. The deeper they go, the more they uncover a dangerous web of lies, manipulation, and betrayal. But with every new lead, the danger grows, and the enemies they thought were long buried resurface. What started as a search for the truth quickly turns into a deadly game, where their every move seems to bring them closer to the killer—and closer to becoming targets themselves.
Time is slipping through their fingers, and with every shocking revelation, Dani realizes that the truth is far more elusive—and more deadly—than she ever imagined. As they edge closer to the heart of the conspiracy, the killer might just be closer than they think—hidden in plain sight. What began as a mission for justice is rapidly becoming a fight for survival. And the closer they get, the more the stakes rise.
D.A. Willows enjoys writing retellings of Greek Mythology, dark romance, and many other things. More recently, she has been working on her debut series, Gods Be Damned. D.A. enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs when she isn't writing. She also enjoys fantasizing about many book boyfriends.
Dani’s best friend had been murdered , and she is determined to find out who did it because she down at believe or was self harm. Perfect quick how done it
An excellent, short, punchy read. I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. What happens when your best friend dies and her death is ruled a suicide? Dani, aided by her husband Trevor, is determined to discover the truth surrounding her best friend Bryce's death. The problem is the more she digs, the more unexpected truths she uncovers not onlyxabout Bryce, but herself too. 4 and a half stars.
this was a short and quick read. quite enjoyable, though i found the plot quite predictable. it didn’t keep me guessing, but it was still a pleasant way to pass the time.
thanks to booksirens for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to D.A. Willows and BookSirens for the ARC. All opinions are voluntary and my own.
What Happened to Bryce is a faced paced thriller about a friend (Dani) not believing that her best friend commits suicide. She is now on a mission to find out who her killer is. Chapters are nice and short and bounce between Bryce, Dani, and several other supporting characters. Surely to keep you guessing until the end!
Dani is left devastated at her best friend Bryce's sudden passing. After her death is ruled a suicide, Dani is in disbelief and, fueled by her grief, is determined to find out: What Happened to Bryce?
A story that’s too vague and moves too fast to really get invested in. Maybe the short length is to blame, but did we really need eight POVs? We hear from people in Bryce’s life to understand how they fit into her past, while also getting a glimpse into how they’re dealing with grief after her death in the present. Maybe this would have mattered more if it didn’t feel like we were just skimming through each perspective so quickly, only to then not hear from most of these characters again. Cutting a couple could’ve added more depth to the others and had the emotional impact that was ultimately lacking.
The whole thing just feels like a series of blips passing by in a blur. Add in some inconsistencies and a cast of unremarkable characters, and even when the mystery is solved, it’s just… okay? Cool. Didn’t feel much of anything. A way to pass some time, but that’s about all I got from this.
I received a free copy of this book, but this review reflects my honest opinion.
"My mind is still turning over the question of who could have killed Bryce. But there’s one thing I know for sure… it wasn’t anyone else. It was me."
Let me tell you, D.A. Willows knows how to keep a reader hooked from start to finish. At under 150 pages, What Happened to Bryce is a quick, punchy read that kept me flipping pages like I was on a deadline. I could barely put it down—though at times, I wanted to pause just to let Dani's relentless determination sink in. She is that girl when it comes to chasing the truth.
Speaking of Dani, I loved her fiery resolve and the way she partnered with Trevor to unravel the mystery of Bryce’s death. Their dynamic felt real, with just the right amount of tension and teamwork to keep things engaging. And Bryce? Oh, Bryce. Even in her absence, she loomed large over every twist and turn, though I wish Willows had gone a bit deeper into what Bryce uncovered before her untimely demise. It’s like we got tantalizing crumbs of a jaw-dropping truth but never the full loaf of bread.
The real jaw-dropper, though? That killer reveal. I did not see it coming. Just when I thought I had the culprit pegged, Willows flipped the script in a way that left me gasping. It’s always refreshing when a thriller doesn’t hand over the solution on a silver platter, and this one had me second-guessing myself until the very end.
Now, back to the pacing. I absolutely adored how compact and tight the story was—Willows doesn’t waste a single word. That said, I wouldn’t have minded a little more depth in certain areas, especially around Bryce’s last discoveries. It felt like the story could have lingered just a bit longer in those dark, shadowy corners. But hey, sometimes less is more, and this book certainly delivered on the “less fluff, more action” front.
All in all, What Happened to Bryce is the perfect weekend read for anyone who loves fast-paced mysteries with a twisty, surprising payoff. Dani is a character you’ll root for, and Bryce’s story will stick with you long after the last page. Highly recommend for fans of compact thrillers that pack a punch!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Writing What Happened to Bryce was both a deeply personal and profoundly challenging experience. At its core, this story is about the unbreakable bonds of friendship and the lengths we’ll go to when someone we love is taken from us too soon. Bryce wasn’t just Dani’s best friend; she was her compass, her confidante, her chosen family. That sense of loss—of having someone so integral to your life suddenly gone—is something I think many of us can relate to, and it’s what inspired me to tell this story.
Dani’s relentless pursuit of justice mirrors the strength and determination I see in so many women who refuse to accept the easy answers when their intuition tells them otherwise. She and Trevor aren’t detectives or superheroes—they’re two ordinary people driven by love and loyalty, thrust into extraordinary and dangerous circumstances.
This book is more than a mystery; it’s an exploration of trust, betrayal, and the way grief can twist the perception of truth. Every step Dani takes unearths not just the secrets of Bryce’s life, but also the hidden complexities of her own. The process of uncovering Bryce’s past challenges everything Dani thought she knew—not only about her best friend, but also about herself and the world around her.
One of the most exciting—and terrifying—aspects of writing this book was constructing the web of lies surrounding Bryce’s death. Every clue, every character, every twist was carefully designed to pull readers deeper into the story, keeping them questioning what’s real and what’s a façade. My hope is that readers will feel the same pulse-pounding urgency Dani feels as she races against time to find the truth.
Ultimately, What Happened to Bryce is a story about resilience, about refusing to back down even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s about finding strength in the face of loss, about love in the face of betrayal, and about the enduring power of friendship—even when it’s tested to its limits.
To those who pick up this book, I hope it keeps you on the edge of your seat, rooting for Dani and Trevor as they untangle the truth. But more than that, I hope it reminds you of the importance of listening to your instincts, holding on to the people you love, and never being afraid to dig deeper—because sometimes, the truth really does set you free.
Unpopular opinion coming your way: Ugh. This book was terrible on so many levels.
First, there were a ridiculous amount of inconsistencies in the writing. I feel like an editor never even laid eyes on this manuscript. It wouldn't be so bad if it were one or two from the beginning of the book to the end - still bad, but perhaps I'd be able to overlook it. But in addition, there were also inconsistencies just from chapter to chapter.
Which leads me to the second undeniable flaw. There were eight (yes, you read that correct - 8!) POVs in this book. It was way too convoluted, disjointed and messy. It was so hard to follow. As a sub category to this one (or perhaps flaw number 3?) was that each POV tended to have a flashback moment, and then a section in the present time. The only differentiator? ITALICS. And to be honest, there were a few times I would swear they just forgot to turn off italics because it read that the flashback was over and we were back in the present, but the italics were still in play. Format, people.
Next, (I forget what number we're on?) absolutely none of the characters were even likable. I didn't care about a single one. Character development was ZERO. I still don't know who these people are.
Or what they do! Throughout the entire book, we know that Bryce worked for her "company" that "did deals." And that it was in an "office." That's it. Seriously all the info you get. When the "company" plays a vital role in the plotline, perhaps more research and development was needed.
Had this idea been more thought out, had more development, gotten the services of an actual editor, and been actual novel length, I feel like this review would have been very, very different. I loved the premise of the book, but as it was presented to me, I honestly hated it.
**Thank you BookSprout for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.**
What Happened to Bryce is a dark, emotional, and intensely suspenseful ride that gripped me from the very first page. D.A. Willows pulls no punches in this gritty thriller that’s as much about grief and betrayal as it is about justice and truth.
The story follows Dani, a fiercely loyal best friend who refuses to accept that Bryce’s death was just another tragedy. Her determination to uncover what really happened pulls readers into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and long-buried guilt. Told through multiple perspectives—including Bryce herself—the narrative paints a vivid and emotionally layered portrait of a woman who was loved, feared, misunderstood, and ultimately silenced.
The writing is sharp, the tension is relentless, and the characters are deeply flawed in all the best ways. Every chapter peeled back another layer of mystery, and just when I thought I had things figured out, Willows threw in another twist that left me reeling.
If you're into thrillers with real emotional depth, complex relationships, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, this one’s for you. Think Verity meets A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, but messier, bolder, and with a friendship at the center that will wreck you—in the best way.
I received an advance readers copy from book sirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily
“Bryce… she was a storm. Wild, unpredictable. You can love someone like that, but you can't contain them. And eventually… the storm consumes everything.”
Those words related to me deeply, as I read What happened to Bryce, I enjoyed every part of it, Bryce is a young willful woman that will go through any lengths to get to the truth, in this murder mystery novel, every part of this will keep you gripping for more, make you ask questions, questions you dare not want the answer for.
Follow Dani, Bryce's best friend that will do anything to make sure she finds her killer, but I believe some secrets are meant to be buried.
In this novel, you will have different thoughts about whom the killer could be, many have secrets, and they were not willing to make it known, this novel made me believe the killer is always someone close.
I would rate this book 8/10 because I enjoyed it so much and make sure to give it a read.
A slow read with a fast pace and gripping a take on perspective and personality dichotomies.
Dani is on the hunt to find the truth about how her best friend, Bryce, suddenly ends up dead. Dani will stop at nothing, questioning everyone, digging deep through Bryce’s life, in order to find the killer.
The writing style is captivatingly and emotionally descriptive. I was able to develop a quick emotional attachment to the main characters. The intensity of the first few pages enabled me to become instantly hooked on the storyline. For the length of the book, the pacing was quick but read slowly, which is always a bonus for me.
My one frustration is, what feels like, a rushed ending. This doesn’t take away from the impact or strength of the conclusion by any means, though!
This book would be great for those who enjoy dissecting a story/mystery and characters throughout the read. If you enjoy “ohwhaaat” types of plot twists, this one’s for you!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A story written from multiple points of view on several different timelines depending on who is featured. The timelines are written so well that it becomes easier to adjust to with each chapter. It starts out very dark with a question that seems to be a foregone conclusion that suicide was the answer at the end for Bryce. The conundrum comes when the demise of her best friend won’t settle the doubts in Dani’s mind. The mystery intensifies as Dani begins to piece together the final weeks and months of Bryce’s life. There are tidbits, clues and interviews that unravel a picture no one has seen until now.
What Happened to Bryce grabbed my attention right away and kept it all the way to the end. After Bryce passes away, we follow her best friend's attempt to figure out what exactly happened to her. I loved the different points of view for the chapters and the sections of those chapters that were recalling past events. I enjoyed being along on the journey of meeting the people in Bryce's life and attempting to figure out the cause of her death. I'd definitely recommend picking this one up for a quick read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. This rating was hard to decide, because I'm absolutely in two minds about the book. The author's writing style is fantastic; really gripping - but I found the story dropped off completely in the last third. Some of it didn't make sense to me, and I couldn't figure out why certain characters were behaving in certain ways, but if I could figure it out, it was because it was boring and obvious. Perhaps I'd enjoy something else by the same author, but I didn't love this.
I am grateful to have received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was an interesting plot, however, for me, it felt underdeveloped. I would have enjoyed a more deep development of the characters, their relationships, and the back story to the plot. For this reason it was hard for me to get into the story and feel invested in the characters and plot. However, for those readers who enjoy being thrown into the chaos right away, this may be a great mystery read for you!
This was a pleasant short and quick read. I enjoyed the storyline, as well as the mystery feel. The multiple POVs and tension I felt through the story kept me engaged. The writing style was remarkable, the author kept me engrossed with her gripping detail. The only drawback I can point out is that I was able to predict some of what was going on. But still an enjoyable read. Would recommend. 3.5/5
I really enjoyed reading the book. The emotions that Bryce, Dani, and the others experienced were so vividly expressed that I could relate to them easily. The book is truly inspiring, and I know I'll remember it for a long time. It's a page-turner and definitely worth reading. Thanks to the author for providing me with an advance copy. I'm leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This thrilling mystery novella had me hooked, eager to find out what happened to Dani's best friend, Bryce, and why she died. I loved that it is written from multiple perspectives, which gives you an even better insight into the events. Overall, I really enjoyed this novella.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great mystery with lots of different people. All the characters have a little piece to the puzzle. It was intriguing and kept me guessing till the very end.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dani, aided by her husband Trevor, is determined to discover the truth surrounding her best friend Bryce's death. While ruled a suicide, Dani is determined to prove that it was murder. With a twisted and surprising ending, this story will stick with you.
Absolutely a gripping read I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't stop reading I had to find out what happened next. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The POV bounced around so much that I couldn't keep up and I had a really hard time finishing it. I didn't think it was terrible, but it wasn't for me.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For a short book, this one had a lot of detail and it was a pretty good read. I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed and anti-climactic, but overall this was a good whodunnit type of story. I love that Dani refused to accept that her friend unalived herself and decided to dig into what happened to find the truth. She is a real friend for that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Pub Date: 5/9/25