You Made Me Do This

by Jesse Q. Sutanto

A perfect marriage dies in paradise.

Sienna Langley was a workaday marriage therapist. Then her bestselling book made her a star. Now she and devoted hubby Colby are the internet’s favorite couple to love and relentlessly scrutinize.

Staying in a glamorous Bali villa for their anniversary should be a joyous time. But Sienna feels something bad coming on. There’s a new letter from her stalker, “Number One Fan.” There’s Cassidy, the young female butler assigned to them, whose attentions seem unnervingly personal. And Colby keeps planning romantic excursions that Sienna can't bring herself to attend.

When tragedy strikes in paradise, whispers ripple through the Was it an accident … or something far more sinister? As suspicion swirls and secrets surface, it becomes clear that nothing about this trip—or this marriage—is what it seems.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

299 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 9, 2027

About the author

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and sees both cities as her homes. She has a Masters degree from Oxford University, though she has yet to figure out a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. She is currently living back in Jakarta on the same street as her parents and about seven hundred meddlesome aunties. When she's not tearing out her hair over her latest WIP, she spends her time baking and playing FPS games. Oh, and also being a mom to her two kids.

Reviews

[Michelle Krisnosky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“You Made Me Do This” by Jesse Q. Sutanto is another fast-paced domestic thriller, packed with unreliable characters and some great twists. It does take a little while to pick up speed, though.

The story alternates between three POVs: Sienna (a marriage therapist and bestselling author), Colby (her pushover husband), and their resort butler Cassidy. From the start, something feels off about all of them. Sienna comes across as a cold-hearted, spoiled, power-tripping woman who constantly trashes her loving husband’s plans. Colby seems completely obsessed with his wife and often goes overboard.

Then there’s Cassidy, who appears to be the innocent outsider just doing her job at a Bali resort paradise.

In the first half of the book, Sienna keeps disappearing while Colby works on elaborate anniversary plans, and Cassidy becomes more deeply entangled in their relationship. As the story progresses, you start to wonder whether it’s you or the characters who are losing their grip on reality. The book has plenty of twists and surprises to keep things interesting, though it’s not my favorite from this author. I did enjoy the Bali setting and the concept behind the story.

[Alora Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author so I did not want to miss this ARC. It was really interesting and it was hard to figure out what was going on. I thought the twists weren’t that strong but it was a wild ride. I always enjoy a thriller set in a resort and this one did not disappoint. This will be out in February of 2027.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“You Made Me Do This” by Jesse Q. Sutanto is basically murder meets enough red flags to fill an entire airport runway. Like many of Sutanto’s books, this one involves unreliable characters, and I absolutely loved the twists depicted throughout.

Sienna, Colby, and their resort butler Cassidy are the three POVs, and right away something feels very off. From Colby and Cassidy’s perspectives, Sienna comes across as cold, rude, secretive, and completely uninterested in enjoying this supposedly romantic anniversary vacation. Meanwhile, Colby seems absolutely obsessed with her. Like, way too obsessed. He practically worships Sienna while also being incredibly controlling, and the more you learn about their marriage, the more those little red flags start turning into giant waving banners.

And then there’s Cassidy, who initially seems like the innocent outsider just doing her job at this ridiculously fancy Bali resort. Except she has secrets too.

The first half is definitely more of a slow burn, with Sienna constantly disappearing, Colby trying to force their perfect anniversary plans, and Cassidy getting increasingly tangled up in their relationship. But I actually liked watching all those little cracks appear because it all builds up to the major twist.

The genius move is that we don't get Sienna's perspective right away. You're forced to judge her based on what Colby and Cassidy tell you, which makes her seem like a pretty awful person. Then, when her POV finally arrives, suddenly you're looking back at everything differently.

And honestly, Colby is such a walking red flag that I wanted to yell at the other characters through the pages. The emotional manipulation, isolation, and need to make Sienna completely dependent on him become increasingly obvious, and it completely changes how you view their marriage. Sienna, meanwhile, turns out to be much smarter and more calculating than she initially appears.

The Bali setting is also perfect for this kind of thriller. Gorgeous beaches and luxury resorts on the outside, increasingly disturbing secrets underneath. Throw in a “Number One Fan” sending creepy messages, a dead body, and a group of people who are all hiding something, and you've got yourself one messy vacation.

I did figure out some of the twists, but there were still enough surprises to keep me entertained. The story definitely asks you to suspend your disbelief in a few places, especially toward the end, but honestly? I didn't care. I was having too much fun watching this absolute disaster of a situation unfold.

And the ending? Not what I expected. Everything comes together in a surprisingly satisfying way, and I definitely appreciated that the various plot threads actually got wrapped up.

Overall, “You Made Me Do This” was a twisty, fast-moving psychological thriller with a glamorous setting. It may not be the most realistic thriller ever written, but if you're willing to just buckle up and enjoy the ride, it's a ridiculously fun one.

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Made Me Do This by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Feb. 2027) [reading in August 2026]
299-page Kindle Ebook

Genre: Mystery Thriller, Psychological Domestic Suspense

Movie Rating Equivalent: R

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🇮🇩 🏨💒💌🌐

Featuring: Praise, Bibliography for Jesse Q. Sutanto, Parts, Multiple POVs, Kuta, Indonesia; Bali, Bestselling Author, Couple's Therapist, Marital Conflict, Vacation, Fanatic Stalker, Hotel Resort, Personal Butler, Social Media Influencer, High School, Flashbacks, Advice, Infidelity, Drugs, Family Dynamics, Toxic Relationships, Friendships

​You Made Me Do This is my 10th book by Jesse Q. Sutanto (and the 8th I've completed). What I love about her stories is that I never know exactly what genre I'm going to get. Even if I know I'm reading a mystery thriller, I don't know if it will be psychological suspense or a cozy mystery—she even dabbles in romance! That unpredictability is part of the excitement when opening her books.
​Based on the cover, I figured this one leaned more toward psychological suspense, along the lines of I'm Not Done With You Yet or You Will Never Be Me , and I was absolutely right. However, while the story had a very strong opening and tons of humor mixed in along the way, the last third felt very "popcorn thriller." It was like I was watching an HBO movie, and then someone suddenly switched the channel to Lifetime. It wasn't anticlimactic, but it was a bit of a downgrade in the writing style, which is why I had to give it four stars instead of five. It was well on its way until it wasn't.

​Recommend to others: Yes. Although there was a decline in execution at the end, it’s still a solid story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Songs for the Soundtrack: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frédéric Chopin, Niccolò Paganini

Books and Authors Mentioned: Read Between the Lies by Jesse Q. Sutanto, "Bad Art Friend" by Robert Kolker, Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, The Girls Are All So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano, Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto, The Love Wager by Lynn Painter, Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho, Lucie Yi Is Not A Romantic by Lauren Ho, Knives Out by Rian Johnson, The Maid by Nita Prose, My Summer Darlings by May Cobb, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray; The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman; Stephen King, Jean Sibelius

[Carrie Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏?

Marriage therapist and bestselling author Sienna Langley is supposed to be celebrating her anniversary with her husband Colby at a breathtaking villa in Bali. Instead, she's receiving disturbing letters from someone calling themselves "Number One Fan," their butler seems a little too invested in their lives, and the perfect getaway begins unraveling with alarming speed. Then tragedy strikes, secrets start surfacing, and from that moment on I strongly recommend knowing as little as possible. Trust me. This is one of those books where every page is another opportunity for the floor to disappear beneath your feet.

I finished this in less than twenty-four hours, which should tell you everything you need to know. You know that feeling when your entire body relaxes when you settle in with a book and you know within just a few pages that it's going to be amazing? I'm also not being hyperbolic when I say I audibly gasped more than once. There were multiple occasions where I caught myself having full conversations with absolutely no one because this book simply refused to behave. Every time I thought I'd finally figured out what was happening, another chapter would come along and casually dismantle my entire theory. The alternating points of view are fantastic, but the chapters from Number One Fan are on another level. They add this delicious layer of unease that keeps you questioning everything you thought you knew, and every time that voice appeared, I found myself even more invested.

This is one of those thrillers that rewards you for surrendering to the chaos instead of trying to outsmart it. Yes, you'll have to suspend your disbelief here and there, but once I stopped asking questions and just let the story drag me wherever it wanted to go, I had an absolute blast. This author keeps finding new ways to pull the rug out from under you without ever losing sight of the fun. I reached the final page, stared at the wall for a solid minute, and immediately wanted to find someone else who had already read it because there was absolutely no chance I was processing all of this on my own. Go in blind. Then come back so we can ask each other what the hell we just read. So many thanks to Thomas and Mercer for the early copy that will publish February 9, 2027.

[Niihariiikareads (warner's) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what was more insulting, the plot or the fact that the book actually exists.

This had an interesting premise, but it quickly devolved into one of the most absurd thrillers I've ever read. Every single twist relied on characters abandoning basic common sense, and the further I got, the more I felt like the book was gaslighting ME into believing any of this was remotely plausible.

Sienna is, quite literally, a marriage therapist. She built an entire career, and a bestselling book, around understanding relationships and human behaviour. Yet I'm supposed to believe this woman made it to nearly FORTY without questioning the reality she'd been living in? She never had one honest conversation with an old friend. Never questioned her family. Never thought, "Hmm... maybe I should verify literally ANYTHING?" It was impossible to take her seriously because her intelligence conveniently disappeared every time the plot needed her to be clueless.

Then there's Cassidy. I guessed who she was almost immediately, and I kept waiting for the inevitable twist on the twist. Instead... that was it. Her entire storyline felt like it existed solely to add pages to the book.

And the romance? Falling in love after a week? OH FUCK ME.

The unreliable narrator trope usually works on me every single time, but this was unreliable plot. By the final act, everyone was lying to everyone, conveniently deceiving each other with RIDICULOUS ease, and somehow nobody thought to have a normal conversation like functioning adults??? Make it make sense?! Every conflict could've been solved if these characters possessed even half a brain cell between them.

This book also did not need to be anywhere near 300 pages. You could cut two thirds of it, remove the repetitive circular thinking, and lose absolutely NOTHING.

The only reason this gets one star instead of none is because Jesse Q. Sutanto knows how to write a readable sentence. But unfortunately, being able to write a book also can't save it if the plot sucks ass.

By the end, I was just trying to comprehend how every single person in this book had survived into adulthood.

[Gie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

Probably my least favourite of Sutanto’s work so far. I’ve been a fan of her books, but sadly, this one just didn’t work for me. This is the first time I’ve genuinely struggled with one of her books.

The reason I’m still giving it 3 stars is that I love her writing. It’s very easy to read, and I wouldn’t say this is a bad book by any means. It’s just… I expected more from Sutanto because her previous works had set such a high standard.

The plot was very predictable. I’m no Sherlock Holmes, but I guessed almost immediately who the number one fan was. The book also made it very obvious that one particular character was “off,” which unfortunately took away from the jaw-dropping moments when the twists were finally revealed. Instead of being shocked, I mostly found myself thinking, “Yep, I knew it.”

The characters were surprisingly plain and forgettable. None of them particularly stood out to me, and I was genuinely disappointed by that because I usually love the characters Sutanto creates. In the end, the main thing that kept me reading was my love for Sutanto’s previous books and the hope that this would eventually become brilliant. Unfortunately, it never quite got there for me.

I did like the premise and what Sutanto was trying to explore. I thought the idea of creating a character who is manipulative, narcissistic, and cruel while remaining completely undetected by the people around them was interesting. I also appreciated how the book touches on forms of abusive behaviour that are often overlooked or dismissed by society. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t land for me.

As always, Sutanto’s writing is incredibly readable, and that remains one of my favourite things about her books. As a non-native English speaker, I find her writing effortless to read. I often recommend her books to friends who want to read more books in English but don’t want to start with young adult or children’s books. Her writing is accessible without feeling simplistic, which is something I really appreciate.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[halfserious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could I ask for a do-over and read this book again, with fresh eyes but somehow also knowing what I know now? It would seriously save me so many gasps and uneasy shifting! On the surface, the synopsis reads just like another average beachy thriller, with luxury vacation backdrops hiding the real darkness, seedy underbellies and festering secrets, but I promise you - this story of an ultra-successful marriage therapist and author, her devoted husband, and their dedicated vacation assistant/butler/helper/secretary/I’m out of appropriate nouns is quite unlike nearly anything you’ve ever read.

There’s something seriously wrong from the very beginning, something seriously eerie in the narration, like a sense of true foreboding: you’re reading an account of a story, of a life, of a series of events, and of course you are taking it at face value because why wouldn’t you, right, but at the same time, you’re acutely aware that every single instance could also be understood in a completely different way, and your head hurts with the implications of what this would mean for our main characters. In a lot of ways, it’s like looking through a slightly unhinged kaleidoscope that moves not only when you move it but also when you merely think about perhaps giving it a shake, and for the entire time, the tension is acutely palpable, you can actually feel it in the atmosphere, yet you can’t quite put your finger on it, which of course makes it so much worse.

After the final twist, my plea from the beginning of this review will make perfect sense: you’ll immediately want to go back and read the entire thing again, to see how you could have missed so much of it and if you should have somehow seen it coming, and if that isn’t a hallmark of a good book, I don’t know what is. Granted, the very ending is perhaps a bit too polished, and one of the major twists is pretty obvious, but by the time you figure it out, you’ll just be relieved that you finally understand something, so this might not be a bad thing, all things considered.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Jesse Q. Sutanto for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[jumpyshark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently devoured both books in Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Vera Wong series, so I was very excited to pick up You Made Me Do This. This was a pretty big departure from the cozy mystery vibes of Vera Wong’s teahouse, but I enjoyed it. You Made Me Do This is a chaotic and twisty thriller, and it’s really fun as long as you don’t take it too seriously. I read the whole book in less than 24 hours, and probably would have finished it in just one sitting if I didn’t have to force myself to sleep at a reasonable hour.

Sienna Langley is a marriage therapist turned author turned social media star, and she is supposed to be on a luxurious vacation with her husband in Bali. The “romantic” getaway quickly takes a turn as secrets surface and relationships start to unravel. The first half dragged a little bit, but Part II was nonstop twists and grand reveals.

Somehow everyone is masterfully lying about everything to everyone, yet they’re still unable to tell when they are being deceived. It’s a little bit hard to believe that they could all be that clueless, but it makes for an interesting story. I thought I had it figured out early on, but I ended up being completely off. Alternating POVs between unreliable narrators kept me on my toes constantly.

There was so much build up, but the ending felt a little rushed. Suddenly everything wrapped up in a neat little bow, and then the book was over. I think more attention could have been given to the emotions of these characters at the end to better justify the drastic shift in their relationship in the final few pages. I appreciated the “happy” ending, I just wish it was expanded upon a little more.

Another great read by Jesse Q. Sutanto, who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

[Kristen M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Netgalley for an ARC of this book!!

Jesse’s at it again. I can’t decide what genre I get more excited for Jesse to write, but at this point, I’ll take any and everything. Her thrillers are particularly snappy though, and I’ve read quite a few of them this summer. This one might be her best yet!

First of all, I loved the setting. This is a perfect summer thriller, on the beautiful beaches of Bali, with the weird vibe of a relationship that isn’t what it seems. Without giving too much away, I really loved the way Jesse laid out these POVs - we start with Cassidy and Colby, then finally get introduced to Sienna’s side of things. Genius. It really had me doubting what direction she was going to take it, but finally the puzzle pieces started to come together in a really satisfying way.

I think there is something particularly devious and sinister about one of the characters, and Jesse illustrates this really well without having it be an obvious, over-the-top arc. I had a few guesses about what was happening and was mostly right, but it was a tribute to good writing that put me on that path. I like when characters sneak up on you and aren’t what they seem, but the writing makes you fall for their antics. I especially like when you get to read things from their POV, because even if you suspect that they’re an unreliable narrator, you HAVE to keep reading to satisfy your quest for the truth.

Overall, this is a fun rollercoaster ride with a satisfying conclusion. Did I have to suspend SOME disbelief in the end? Yeah, sure, a little, but nothing that took away from the reading experience. I enjoyed this thoroughly and can’t wait to grab a copy when it comes out.

PS - I’m obsessed with the dedication page. I knew I would come out of this satisfied with the conclusion and boyyyy was I ever.

[Sneha R · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Made Me Do This is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night.
Jesse Q. Sutanto masterfully builds an atmosphere of tension and unease, proving once again that she's an incredibly versatile storyteller. The novel follows Sienna and Colby, a perfect couple on an anniversary trip to Bali, but it quickly becomes clear that appearances can be deceiving.

What I loved most was the way the author slowly unraveled the layers of the characters and their relationships. No one felt 1-D, and I found myself constantly questioning my assumptions. The luxurious Bali setting added a vivid backdrop, creating a fascinating contrast between paradise like surroundings and the growing sense that something isn't quite right.

The pacing is steady and deliberate at first, allowing readers to settle into the story, before building into a tense and addictive read. Sutanto does an excellent job maintaining suspense without relying on cheap tricks, and the emotional dynamics between the characters felt just as compelling as the mystery itself.

This is a darker and more suspenseful novel than some of the author's previous works, but her talent for creating engaging characters and emotionally charged situations shines throughout. If you enjoy psychological thrillers filled with secrets, unreliable perceptions, and mounting tension, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Overall, it is an engrossing, well crafted thriller that delivers atmosphere, suspense, and memorable characters. I would happily recommend it to fans of domestic and psychological suspense.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy.
All opinions are my own.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
This book is a quick, effortless read, but good writing cannot compensate for a subpar plot. The story alternates between a few different POVs in the present day with occasional glimpses into the past, yet the pacing frequently hits speed bumps due to unnecessarily long chapters that over-explain and over-detail things the characters are doing in place of anything of meaning actually happening. Part of the struggle stems from an overly stripped-down cast: beyond Colby, Cassidy, Sienna, and Liam from their past, there is virtually no one else involved. With so few players on the board, the narrative lacks depth, leaving the conflict entirely dependent on every single character lacking basic common sense and refusing to communicate like actual human beings.
Having such an isolated, unlikable group makes staying invested an uphill battle. Colby is exhausting to follow because he acts like a complete doormat, making it difficult to sympathize with him or care about his fate. Cassidy and Sienna offer little relief, coming across as thoroughly unlikable rather than compelling or morally complex. By the time the central twist arrived, the familiar setup made it completely expected rather than shocking.
If you like small-cast domestic thrillers, multiple POVs driven by miscommunication, and fast-paced, easy reads, then you may enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #YouMadeMeDoThis

Spoilers drop on release day at www.spoiltheplot.com. Until then, explore the site to find your next great thriller!

[Rhonda Hoyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.

I was super excited to get an advanced released copy of this book. I've only just discovered Jesse Sutanto and have thus far only read her Vera Wong books. This book was nothing like Vera Wong, but just as good!

Sienna & Colby Langley travel to Bali for rest, relaxation and fun. Sienna is a couples therapist and the author of a book, Your Three Marriages that has exploded in popularity based on an influencer's rabid response. Sienna's husband, Colby, works to be the perfect spouse. Colby strives to make every part of their vacation perfect and struggles when Sienna seems to hate every event he plans. The third major character in the book is Cassidy, who is assigned to them as their butler/personal concierge during their stay.

The book is told from a first person point of view and you get to experience Sienna, Colby and Cassidy's individual thoughts and interpretations of the events. You sense there is a bit of an unreliable narrator in at least one of the characters. Is Sienna really just cold and uncaring? Is Colby as devoted to Sienna as it seems? Is Cassidy as innocent as she pretends to be?

There are many twists and turns in this book. (I give it two gasps out loud) and it comes to a satisfying conclusion. This book is sure to be enjoyed by all Jesse Sutanto fans and mystery fans. I think it says a lot about her writing that this could be so different from the cozy mysteries of the Vera Wong series.

A huge thanks to Netgalley for providing me with access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

You Made Me Do This by Jesse Q. Sutanto - published 9th Feb 2027

Thank you to Netgalley for this Arc in return for my honest review.
Sienna and Colby Langley are childhood sweethearts who make the perfect married couple. He is charming and charismatic, she is a beautiful and successful author. They head off on an idyllic vacation to Bali. Everything is perfect, or is it?

Obviously nothing is ever as perfect as they seem when it comes to psychological thrillers! This book is the perfect holiday read for people who enjoy a beautiful summer setting with a slice of sinister. The descriptions of Bali were so vivid that I could picture everything so clearly in my mind, despite never having been there! The story takes a while to get going, but the second half of the book really takes off. There are only a handful of characters so I didn’t find it difficult to work out what was going on and who was behind what, although I still couldn’t see how it would all be wrapped up. The characters were insufferable to me; no common sense between any of them. I would put this book into the category of ‘popcorn thriller’ due to the unrealistic plot twists and straightforward easy-to-read prose. If you like a relaxed summer read that is pure escapism, then this book may well be for you. I would recommend this book if you like:
💛 an idyllic beach setting - trouble in paradise
💛 a small cast of characters
💛 unreliable narrators
💛 creeping dread/unsettling feeling
💛 online stalker paranoia
I however prefer a bit more depth and substance to a story, which is why I’m giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Another Read by Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌊 🩸 👀…ARC BOOK REVIEW 👀 🩸 🌊

PUB DATE: Feb 8 2027

My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫 3.5 Slow Burning Domestic Thriller Stars !

Oh get your popcorn ready for this perfect popcorn thriller beach read !

Told from 3 POV’s we are whisked away to Bali for a much needed writing break for Sienna Langley the famous author of The Three Marriages and Colby hopes that they’ll rekindle their marriage at the same time …

Quickly when the plane lands in Bali it’s clear that our narrators are very unstable and everyone seems to have their own plan of how things should go down .

The only problem is There is a “ Number One Fan” who is sending taunting messages and harassing Sienna …and somehow the Number One Fan knows the hotel she’s staying at 😮

This was a slow burn 🔥 but the author did an excellent job toeing the line for the reader to keep them guessing, as we knew something was going to happen 🫣 but when and how was your to the reader to keep guessing…

This was an easy read and could be read in one sitting , it’s cringy, toxic , dual timelines , and had a little bit of a mystery to keep you guessing and the beautiful scenery in Bali only adds to the reading experience!

If you’re a fan of Frieda McFadden this is definitely a book for you !! It was messy and gave me chaos, secrets and questionable decisions !!

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Jesse Q Sutanto for this For this popcorn thriller that absolutely understood the assignment 🍿

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sienna is a bestselling author whose rise to fame stems from a book grounded in couples therapy. On the surface, her marriage to Colby appears picture perfect, but constant online scrutiny from an obsessive "number one fan" has her on edge. To escape the public eye, Colby books a luxurious, all inclusive getaway to Bali. Enter Cassidy, their private resort butler assigned to manage their itinerary. When Sienna repeatedly refuses to join Colby on his planned excursions, Cassidy steps in as his default companion. As Cassidy crosses professional boundaries and gets uncomfortably close to Colby, underlying tension boils over, unspooling a web of secrets.

You Made Me Do This has all the ingredients of a solid, hooky domestic thrille. A polished marriage, high stakes isolation, and a suspicious third party playing intrusively into a couple's dynamic. The setting adds a nice layer of atmospheric tension, and the setup builds steady curiosity around everyone’s true motives.

However, the pacing and tone lean more toward lightweight suspense than deep psychological intrigue. For readers who prefer their domestic thrillers dark, visceral, and gritty, this one stays a bit too clean and surface level. While it’s an easy, entertaining read for fans of breezy resort set mysteries, it lacks the unsettling bite needed to make a lasting impression.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sienna and Colby are vacationing at an exclusive resort in Bali that even comes with their own personal butler, Cassidy. Sienna is a marriage therapist who went viral when her book was discovered by an influencer. Celebrating their anniversary this way is exactly what her fans expect, but her behavior is not at all what Cassidy expects after researching the couple. When Colby plans activities for the two of them, Sienna declines to participate and asks Cassidy to go in her place. Multiple times. She’s always going off on her own and is cold and terse with everyone. So Cassidy figures Sienna’s loss is her gain. In more ways than one.

I was relieved that there was more to the story than it appeared at first because it made so little sense. I knew something must be going on, and I wasn’t disappointed. Now, as to how believable and logical it was, maybe not so much. There’s a lot of disbelief to suspend if you want to enjoy the curveballs thrown in, so that will depend on you. But if you know that ahead of time and look at it as a breezy, fun read that you can’t take too seriously, then you should be pleasantly surprised with how little it matters.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advanced reading copy of this book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, early on I figured a decent amount of the plot, but there were still quite a few that I didn't pick up on. This book is about a narcissist and what it's like to be married to one. The subtle little tells, but this book makes it hard to figure out who is that person. Sienna and Colby were high school sweethearts and after 20 years, their marriage is failing. Colby is a man from a wealthy family who fell instantly in love with Sienna, her feeling took forever to show. They were best friends, for may reasons- one of which was that Sienna had a reputation for being mean and also promiscuous. She fell in love with a boy named Liam and things went badly and as the story moved on, you figured out why. She's now a best selling author (COMPLETELY BY ACCIDENT), and Colby wants to surprise her with a vacation to an ultra plush resort in Bali to try and get back on the same page. There's a stalker sending hateful messages and they are assigned a personal butler named Cassidy, who happens to be young and beautiful. The author weaves a tangled web of deception and I found it hard to put down. Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy!

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sutanto continues to deliver as one of my favorite authors of all time!

Sienna blew up overnight with her book "The Three Marriages". Neither she nor her childhood sweetheart, Colby, ever imagined the kind of influence and money that would come from it. Now they live very comfortably, the world eating up their beautiful, long-lasting marriage.

For their anniversary, Colby has rented a villa in Bali so that Sienna can relax before working on her second book. They even have a personal butler, Cassidy, given to them by the place they're staying. Cassidy is attentive and helps Colby plan fun outings for the couple so they can get the most of their vacation.

However, Cassidy notices that Sienna is sullen and doesn't seem to appreciate Colby's thoughtfulness and attention. She doesn't seem at all the warm, caring therapist that the book and her socials made her out to be. Cassidy starts spending time with Colby to help make up for his wife's rudeness.

Then, things go south overnight and suddenly everyone is questioning what happened and who can be trusted.

Twisty and from differing POVs, you will eat this book up!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Lauren Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

I finished this book on my international flight home and considering I normally sleep the entire flight, the fact that I couldn’t put it down says EVERYTHING. I was completely immersed from the start. Sienna is a new nonfiction marriage therapist/author who quickly rises to fame, and when her husband, Colby, plans a beautiful vacation, they meet Cassidy, their assistant/butler at the resort they are staying at. From there, things quickly start to unravel. Told through multiple POVs and a dual timeline, the story slowly reveals a past filled with secrets, hidden truths and so many questions.The ending was perfect and I love a good revenge plot.

I became attached to each character so quickly and spent the entire book trying to figure out everyone’s motives. Every time I thought I knew where things were headed, I started questioning someone else and it wasn’t until the very end that everything finally began to click into place. This was my first Jesse Suranto book, but I instantly became a fan of her writing. Completely unputdownable, binge-worthy and the perfect suspense to get lost in. HIGHLY recommend adding this one to your reading list!

[Holly Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jesse Q. Sutanto has delivered a spectacular, high-octane psychological thriller with You Made Me Do This. The luxury, beachy Bali setting serves as a fantastic, atmospheric backdrop for a gripping story that hooks you from the very first page.

The standout element of this book is easily the fantastic pacing. The narrative is absolutely supersonic, making it an incredibly fast, addictive read that is nearly impossible to put down. While there was definitely a little predictability regarding the core plot structure early on, the author masterfully executes the final stretch. The twists and turns deployed at the very end upended my expectations and made the resolution far less predictable than it initially seemed.

It is a thrilling, multi-layered ride that perfectly balances chaotic high-society tension with domestic deception loops. A solid 4-star book that I highly recommend to any thriller fan looking for a fast-paced, immersive getaway!

[Sarah Marasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their luxurious vacation turns to dust when tragedy strikes for famous influencer Sienna Langley and her husband Colby on what was supposed to be a perfect week. When Sienna goes from marriage therapist to internet sensation overnight, her husband decides that a week away from the spotlight, including her stalker, Number One Fan, might be just what they need. The resort they’re staying at offers unprecedented privacy and service and their assigned help Cassidy will do anything she can to make their stay more enjoyable.
Told from three different perspectives, this book will take you back in time to when Sienna and Colby are in high school and how they ended up becoming the internet’s favorite couple, as well as follow along with Cassidy’s side of the story.
Although some were predictable, the twists and turns of this story will keep you on the edge of your seat and my jaw actually dropped at one point.
At points in the middle I felt like I was getting an information overload, but everything comes together and wraps up nicely at the end.

[haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of You Made Me Do This by Jesse Q. Sutanto in exchange for my honest review!

This was a fun, twisty read, although I did find quite a bit of it predictable. I had some pretty strong suspicions early on, and while a lot of my theories ended up going in the direction I expected, there were still a few moments that genuinely surprised me.

I especially enjoyed the second half, when the story really started to unravel and we got to see just how much manipulation was happening beneath the surface. One reveal in particular caught me completely off guard, and I found the ending really satisfying.

I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars, but ultimately 3 felt too low because I genuinely enjoyed reading it. It may not have shocked me as much as I wanted it to, but it was entertaining, fast-paced, and kept me wanting to know how everything would play out.

⭐️ 4 stars!

[Weronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse Q. Sutanto is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors: all of her books, especially thrillers, are so fun and quick to read! If you like Yellowface and The Housemaid, this one will be up your alley. Sienna is a successful author, whose book about having a successful marriage became a TikTok sensation overnight. Colby, her husband, is a little alarmed about how stress affects her work. Cassidy, a personal assistant in their luxurious hotel, is intrigued by how the couple's perfect image crumples during their vacation in Bali.
The novel is divided in two halves: first, we get Colby's and Cassidy's POVs; in the second half we also get Sienna's. I admit that the first half was a bit slower than I would like, but delightful plot twists in the second part made up for that. I love unreliable narrators and Jesse Q. Sutanto somehow made many tropes feel exciting and fresh.

[OutlawPoet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those easy breezy beach reads.

There aren't a ton of surprises when it comes to our characters. Instead of being shocked by certain reveals, you find yourself kind of patting yourself on the back as each character proves to be what you expect.

Despite that, there's a nice amount of suspense. That feeling of being right about the characters was oddly satisfying and the fate of one of those characters is perfection.

Now some of the machinations that have to happen in order to get the plot to work will have you scratching your head, but if you can mute those intruding thoughts, you'll likely enjoy the ride.

Will I remember this read next week? Probably not, but I enjoyed it for what it is.

[Mimi Chamelian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I’m quite late to the party but I discovered the author through An Edge Sharp Enough (which was possibly the best book of the year for me) so I was very excited about reading another book of Sutanto’s.

The writing style was so easy, I breezed through the text. There were not that many characters so it was easy to figure out at least one of the twists.

I chuckled at a few points, especially reading Colby’s chapters. He was so petty, I loved it.

I admit, at one point I was starting to lose interest and then BAM! A banger of a twist out of bloody nowhere! From then on everything started to make sense.

It was a rather lighthearted fast read. A great palate cleanser.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would have thought a vacation to paradise could end up in disaster? Sienna and Colby are in Bali. After 16 years of marriage they’ve finally hit it big thanks Sienna’s first book about marriage becoming a viral sensation. But what about her own marriage? Colby is spending more time with their island butler, Cassidy than with Sienna. The weird thing is that it doesn’t seem to bother her. Whatever is happening in this marriage culminates in tragedy. There’s a body, an online stalker, and ghosts from the past. Plus the possibility that whoever survives this marriage won’t make it home.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there's one thing about me, it's that I'll always happily pick up a Jess Q. Sutanto book whether its mystery or romance. This was the former and a pretty good one-- I am actually SO MAD at myself that I didn't guess the twist that came around the 50% mark. This is one of those books that was an easy but entertaining read that I looked forward to coming back to. It's not one that will probably stick with me for a long time, but I was certainly entertained and Sutanto remains on my auto-read list!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book publishes in February 2027.

[Kerry Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Made Me Do This is a twisty thriller about a couple vacationing in Bali. Sienna seems to have the perfect life. She has a best selling book and is married to a man who caters to her every need. Cassidy is Sienna’s personal butler while vacationing on the resort but she is struggling to stay happy and running from her past. All is not what it seems. This book was a little slow but it still kept my interest and got more thrilling and twisty about halfway through. Great beach read! Special thanks to NetGalley and the author for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. I really enjoyed the writing style of this. I'm impressed that it managed to switch between different characters' perspectives and make it clear what was going on while still hiding some secrets to be revealed later. The characters had very clear voices and motives for their actions. The first part of the book was interesting but a little slow paced and I felt at that point like it might turn into a predictable read. It certainly did not. The second half of the book was a five star read for me. The twists were well executed and well set up but still surprising. I had a hard time putting it down at that point. I definitely think this is worth a read.