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Look What You Did
A page-turning debut thriller for fans of Kathleen Glasgow and Megan Lally about a teen who must confront her own buried trauma to clear her friend's name of murder and expose the dark secrets of her small town.
"I know about Will....I know what he did that night"
After the tragic death of golden boy Will Ashford, everyone in town is in mourning. Or almost everyone. Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie couldn't be more relieved. Because she knows Will's veneer of perfection hid something dark and dangerous. It was a truth she learned one night at the Ashford house and swore never to tell.
But her plan is threatened when she starts receiving texts from an unknown number. Someone knows the secret Mackenzie has tried so hard to hide—and they are determined to reveal it.
When Mackenzie's former best friend is found dead, she is convinced the anonymous texter is connected to her murder, and she will stop at nothing to find them. But doing so will mean confronting the trauma she's fought so hard to suppress and exposing the dark secrets her town has tried to keep buried—or risk being the next girl dead.
"I know about Will....I know what he did that night"
After the tragic death of golden boy Will Ashford, everyone in town is in mourning. Or almost everyone. Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie couldn't be more relieved. Because she knows Will's veneer of perfection hid something dark and dangerous. It was a truth she learned one night at the Ashford house and swore never to tell.
But her plan is threatened when she starts receiving texts from an unknown number. Someone knows the secret Mackenzie has tried so hard to hide—and they are determined to reveal it.
When Mackenzie's former best friend is found dead, she is convinced the anonymous texter is connected to her murder, and she will stop at nothing to find them. But doing so will mean confronting the trauma she's fought so hard to suppress and exposing the dark secrets her town has tried to keep buried—or risk being the next girl dead.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 3, 2026
DNF - I made it 3 chapters in, but considering this is a YA novel and within the first 10 pages it already had a handful of curse words, underage kids smoking cigarettes and vapes & mentioning having underage sex is crazy work imo.. teens don’t need this kind of damaging normalization in literature, they get enough of it in real life as it is!
July 31, 2026
3.5 rounded up for Goodreads and Netgalley.
A very solid and thought-provoking debut novel. It had a more serious tone than what I was anticipating and I did like that a lot, but because the topics discussed can be triggering I would advise to check the content warnings before reading it. The mystery plot was gripping, full of twists and reveals. Mackenzie, the main character, was strong and determined. She wanted to know the truth, no matter what. A little danger did not make her back down. The other characters were well-developed and so were their relationships. Emaline was another complex girl. Her relationship with Mackenzie was probably the most interesting to read about. The plot also pointed out the male privilege and its consequences on women and girls, and it was extremely frustrating to read (but absolutely necessary in a story like this one). The author’s approach to this was delicate yet forceful and angry. Delicate towards the girls, and rightfully forceful and angry at the males. The ones taking everything for granted. I definitely recommend this novel, but as I said earlier if you can be triggered by some serious and traumatic topics please check the content warnings.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
A very solid and thought-provoking debut novel. It had a more serious tone than what I was anticipating and I did like that a lot, but because the topics discussed can be triggering I would advise to check the content warnings before reading it. The mystery plot was gripping, full of twists and reveals. Mackenzie, the main character, was strong and determined. She wanted to know the truth, no matter what. A little danger did not make her back down. The other characters were well-developed and so were their relationships. Emaline was another complex girl. Her relationship with Mackenzie was probably the most interesting to read about. The plot also pointed out the male privilege and its consequences on women and girls, and it was extremely frustrating to read (but absolutely necessary in a story like this one). The author’s approach to this was delicate yet forceful and angry. Delicate towards the girls, and rightfully forceful and angry at the males. The ones taking everything for granted. I definitely recommend this novel, but as I said earlier if you can be triggered by some serious and traumatic topics please check the content warnings.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
August 11, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was a fun mystery but nothing too memorable in my opinion. A lot of the book relies on plot twists and misleads but none of them are done all the well. The main character is supposed to come across as edgy but honestly I found her kind of annoying. This definitely reads as younger ya but it handles a very mature subject matter so I don’t know what the target age for this book is supposed to be. I might have enjoyed this more if I was a bit younger but there are definitely better young adult thrillers out there. This book isn’t too long so if it sounds interesting to you I would still recommend it.
June 28, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I NEED SOMEONE TO READ THIS IMMEDIATELY SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT!!!
‼️The publication date is September 15, 2026‼️
This is a spectacular debut novel!! From the very first page, urgent questions kept me hooked. I was up passed midnight binging and it wasn’t until my tablet died that I could go to sleep. At the start I couldn’t stop thinking about who Mackenzie’s stalker was. And after I found out, my question was: what really happened with Will? Then I wondered, what happened with Nora?
AND OMG I figured out who the murder was at almost 75% but even though I was pretty sure, I doubted my theory once or twice before the reveal.
I will note that there are mentions of and brief recollections of SA and rape in this novel. It is mostly discussed, and the brief recollections aren’t detailed at all; there is nothing graphic. The underlying message is about how we need to support woman who come forward, not silence them. My one complaint is that it felt at times like every. single. character in the town was either guilty of or a victim of some kind of sexual exploitation which felt like too much, but maybe that’s just me. Definitely check the other TW before reading because the main character struggles with self harm and there are some other heavy topics as well. There is also underage drinking and partying so I’d say this book is for people 15-16+ depending on what you can handle.
🚨WAIT I ALMOST FORGOT!
“Emaline was thrilled when I told her I'd quit.
Cross-country was time consuming but despite her grumbling ("It's so boring, Mac."), she never missed a meet. She always cheered the loudest for me in the bleachers,”
My best friend runs high school cross-country and I can tell you I have NEVER watched one of her meets from the bleachers. Why? Cross-country races are ran on courses through grass and woods (each race is 3.1 miles or a 5K). You can watch TRACK races on the bleachers because they are on the track, not cross-country races.
**Spoilers below**
.
.
.
.
**Do not continue unless you want to be spoiled**
.
.
.
.
** Last chance to turn around…**
.
.
.
.
**I tried to warn you**
.
.
.
.
What the actual heck. I was on Mackenzie’s side until she stripped Tim and took pictures of him exposed. WHAT. THE. HECK. Just cause he did it to Xavier doesn’t mean it’s ok to do it back. UUUUGGHHH I guess she does apologize and they work through it, but still 😒
Also, the way she tricks Emaline into confessing is pretty bad*ss 👏 for a second I worried she wasn’t going to expose her and end their friendship, but nah
I NEED SOMEONE TO READ THIS IMMEDIATELY SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT!!!
‼️The publication date is September 15, 2026‼️
This is a spectacular debut novel!! From the very first page, urgent questions kept me hooked. I was up passed midnight binging and it wasn’t until my tablet died that I could go to sleep. At the start I couldn’t stop thinking about who Mackenzie’s stalker was. And after I found out, my question was: what really happened with Will? Then I wondered, what happened with Nora?
AND OMG I figured out who the murder was at almost 75% but even though I was pretty sure, I doubted my theory once or twice before the reveal.
I will note that there are mentions of and brief recollections of SA and rape in this novel. It is mostly discussed, and the brief recollections aren’t detailed at all; there is nothing graphic. The underlying message is about how we need to support woman who come forward, not silence them. My one complaint is that it felt at times like every. single. character in the town was either guilty of or a victim of some kind of sexual exploitation which felt like too much, but maybe that’s just me. Definitely check the other TW before reading because the main character struggles with self harm and there are some other heavy topics as well. There is also underage drinking and partying so I’d say this book is for people 15-16+ depending on what you can handle.
🚨WAIT I ALMOST FORGOT!
“Emaline was thrilled when I told her I'd quit.
Cross-country was time consuming but despite her grumbling ("It's so boring, Mac."), she never missed a meet. She always cheered the loudest for me in the bleachers,”
My best friend runs high school cross-country and I can tell you I have NEVER watched one of her meets from the bleachers. Why? Cross-country races are ran on courses through grass and woods (each race is 3.1 miles or a 5K). You can watch TRACK races on the bleachers because they are on the track, not cross-country races.
**Spoilers below**
.
.
.
.
**Do not continue unless you want to be spoiled**
.
.
.
.
** Last chance to turn around…**
.
.
.
.
**I tried to warn you**
.
.
.
.
What the actual heck. I was on Mackenzie’s side until she stripped Tim and took pictures of him exposed. WHAT. THE. HECK. Just cause he did it to Xavier doesn’t mean it’s ok to do it back. UUUUGGHHH I guess she does apologize and they work through it, but still 😒
Also, the way she tricks Emaline into confessing is pretty bad*ss 👏 for a second I worried she wasn’t going to expose her and end their friendship, but nah
September 23, 2026
A fun, fast paced YA thriller written by a perfect author
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for providing an ARC of Look what you did.
I request you all to please read this book. There was not a part in this book that I would've seen coming. It was amazing, heartbreaking and breathtaking with how the topic was handled in this.
It starts with Will Ashford's unfortunate accident that leaves everyone shook up. The handsome, perfect Will who could've done nothing wrong- gone. And everyone is shaken up except for Mackenzie, Will's sister's best friend. Because she is harboring a secret that could ruin Will's reputation. The fact that Will was not who he pretended to be. She is careful to keep it to herself until one day, she receives a text from an unknown number, saying that they know about what Mac is hiding. And that shakes her up.
"So it is a story about Mac finding who this unknown number is, right?" Nope. That is the start of it. She figures that out within first 20%-ish of the book. But it is what happens after that.
This book was literally a rollercoaster. Just when you think you have something figured out, a new mystery pops up. It is not just Mac trying to solve the mystery, but the reader too is by her side, not ahead, not behind.
I request you all to please read this book. There was not a part in this book that I would've seen coming. It was amazing, heartbreaking and breathtaking with how the topic was handled in this.
It starts with Will Ashford's unfortunate accident that leaves everyone shook up. The handsome, perfect Will who could've done nothing wrong- gone. And everyone is shaken up except for Mackenzie, Will's sister's best friend. Because she is harboring a secret that could ruin Will's reputation. The fact that Will was not who he pretended to be. She is careful to keep it to herself until one day, she receives a text from an unknown number, saying that they know about what Mac is hiding. And that shakes her up.
"So it is a story about Mac finding who this unknown number is, right?" Nope. That is the start of it. She figures that out within first 20%-ish of the book. But it is what happens after that.
This book was literally a rollercoaster. Just when you think you have something figured out, a new mystery pops up. It is not just Mac trying to solve the mystery, but the reader too is by her side, not ahead, not behind.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
☕️🍂 Shaking and sipping my Pumpkin Spice Latte because “Look What You Did” by Kaitlin Reilly is the absolute definition of a page-turner! 🙌📚
Out officially on September 15, 2026, you need to add this debut thriller to your fall TBR immediately.
The story follows 17-year-old Mackenzie, who is secretly relieved when her town’s “golden boy” dies because she knows the dark truth behind his perfect veneer. But things take a terrifying turn when an anonymous stalker starts texting her, threatening to expose her secrets. When her former best friend turns up dead, the stakes skyrocket into pure chaos. 😱🎯
Pros:
✨ Incredible, fast-paced pacing that kept me up way past midnight.
✨ A deeply gripping look at small-town secrets and buried trauma.
✨ Flawless, eerie atmosphere that perfectly pairs with autumn vibes.
If you loved books by Kathleen Glasgow or Megan Lally, this is going to be your next obsession. Mark your calendars for 09/15/2026! 🗓️✨
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Huge thanks to the publisher for the early review copy! Are you adding this to your fall pre-order list?
Out officially on September 15, 2026, you need to add this debut thriller to your fall TBR immediately.
The story follows 17-year-old Mackenzie, who is secretly relieved when her town’s “golden boy” dies because she knows the dark truth behind his perfect veneer. But things take a terrifying turn when an anonymous stalker starts texting her, threatening to expose her secrets. When her former best friend turns up dead, the stakes skyrocket into pure chaos. 😱🎯
Pros:
✨ Incredible, fast-paced pacing that kept me up way past midnight.
✨ A deeply gripping look at small-town secrets and buried trauma.
✨ Flawless, eerie atmosphere that perfectly pairs with autumn vibes.
If you loved books by Kathleen Glasgow or Megan Lally, this is going to be your next obsession. Mark your calendars for 09/15/2026! 🗓️✨
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Huge thanks to the publisher for the early review copy! Are you adding this to your fall pre-order list?
September 23, 2026
3.5 overall!
I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this book and was surprised by it in a good way. With the short chapters and being invested in the story I found myself flying through it. There were definitely a lot of twists throughout and while some were easy to guess, there were also others that I was surprised by. The whole book was built on some rough topics and Reilly did a really good job dealing with them. I did feel like it jumped around at times and there were some topics that didn’t get a lot of conclusion to.
Overall, I liked this fast paced, YA novel and recommend giving it a shot if you like mysteries. I do recommend checking the trigger warnings prior to reading it as this book does deal with a handful of rough topics.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this book and was surprised by it in a good way. With the short chapters and being invested in the story I found myself flying through it. There were definitely a lot of twists throughout and while some were easy to guess, there were also others that I was surprised by. The whole book was built on some rough topics and Reilly did a really good job dealing with them. I did feel like it jumped around at times and there were some topics that didn’t get a lot of conclusion to.
Overall, I liked this fast paced, YA novel and recommend giving it a shot if you like mysteries. I do recommend checking the trigger warnings prior to reading it as this book does deal with a handful of rough topics.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
October 10, 2026
Babes...WHY are the people everyone swears are “good people” always the ones hiding the darkest secrets👀
We’ve got a dead golden boy, anonymous texts
Toxic friendships, buried trauma
and a murder that sends everything spiraling.
Mackenzie knows something about Will Ashford that could shatter the perfect image this town is trying to protect.When the messages start coming, someone makes it clear that secrets don’t stay buried forever. Then let’s just have her former best friend turn up dead. So Mackenzie is caught in a twisted web of lies, suspicion, and some questionable loyalties. 🫣
Kaitlin Reilly dives into the messy reality of trauma, victim blaming, toxic friendships, and the way people will protect someone’s reputation rather than face the truth about who they really are.💔 The story really makes you think about how often victims are expected to stay silent while everyone else carries on pretending nothing happened.
Mackenzie’s journey is about more than figuring out who’s behind the messages and the murder. It’s about facing the truth she’s been running from and finding the courage to stop letting other people control her story.
⚠️ A quick heads up babes: This one tackles heavy topics so definitely check the content warnings before diving in.
🖤 YA psychological thriller
📱 Anonymous texts
🔪 Murder mystery
🏡 Small town secrets
👑 The dead golden boy
💔 Buried trauma
👀 Toxic friendships
🤐 Secrets and lies
🧩 Twists and suspicious characters
⚖️ Truth, accountability & justice
We’ve got a dead golden boy, anonymous texts
Toxic friendships, buried trauma
and a murder that sends everything spiraling.
Mackenzie knows something about Will Ashford that could shatter the perfect image this town is trying to protect.When the messages start coming, someone makes it clear that secrets don’t stay buried forever. Then let’s just have her former best friend turn up dead. So Mackenzie is caught in a twisted web of lies, suspicion, and some questionable loyalties. 🫣
Kaitlin Reilly dives into the messy reality of trauma, victim blaming, toxic friendships, and the way people will protect someone’s reputation rather than face the truth about who they really are.💔 The story really makes you think about how often victims are expected to stay silent while everyone else carries on pretending nothing happened.
Mackenzie’s journey is about more than figuring out who’s behind the messages and the murder. It’s about facing the truth she’s been running from and finding the courage to stop letting other people control her story.
⚠️ A quick heads up babes: This one tackles heavy topics so definitely check the content warnings before diving in.
🖤 YA psychological thriller
📱 Anonymous texts
🔪 Murder mystery
🏡 Small town secrets
👑 The dead golden boy
💔 Buried trauma
👀 Toxic friendships
🤐 Secrets and lies
🧩 Twists and suspicious characters
⚖️ Truth, accountability & justice
September 7, 2026
Look What You Did is a YA thriller filled with teenage secrets and high school drama. Some of the subject matter is a bit mature and could be triggering for some, but I enjoyed the story and the mystery surrounding the death of Mac’s former best friend. I finished the book in a couple of sessions and was surprised by the ending!
September 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this one! For some reason, I kept putting this eARC off in favor of other books, and I’m not sure why because once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I needed to know what was going to happen. I’m thankful to have received the complimentary eARC from Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley to read ahead of publication. But, oops! I finished it on publication day, which definitely isn’t my usual timing!
Now, did I figure out the culprit early on? Yes. Yes, I did. 😂 But that didn’t take away from the experience at all. I still wanted to see how the author would develop the plot and bring everything together.
I also really enjoyed that this wasn’t just a thriller meant to entertain. It touched on real-world issues that teens deal with, too. While I certainly don’t recommend the choices these characters made when dealing with those issues, I think seeing characters navigate difficult situations can give teens a way to identify with others—even fictional ones—and remind them that they aren’t alone.
The story is told through a single POV, following Mac (MacKenzie), the main female protagonist, as she tries to figure out who is responsible. I’m not going to say much more about the actual mystery because I don’t want to risk spoiling anything. There are plenty of characters to keep you engaged, each with their own motivations, along with tested friendships, rekindled friendships, personal struggles, and plenty of opportunities for inner growth and self-discovery.
The book does touch on some heavier topics, including SA, as well as smoking, drinking, drug use, and other issues teens may encounter. While those subjects are present, I felt they were handled appropriately for the intended YA audience.
Overall, this was an engaging and easy-to-get-lost-in YA thriller that kept me turning the pages, even when I was ahead of the mystery. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to my YA audience, especially to readers who enjoy a twisty mystery alongside stories about friendships, difficult choices, and figuring out who you are.
Now, did I figure out the culprit early on? Yes. Yes, I did. 😂 But that didn’t take away from the experience at all. I still wanted to see how the author would develop the plot and bring everything together.
I also really enjoyed that this wasn’t just a thriller meant to entertain. It touched on real-world issues that teens deal with, too. While I certainly don’t recommend the choices these characters made when dealing with those issues, I think seeing characters navigate difficult situations can give teens a way to identify with others—even fictional ones—and remind them that they aren’t alone.
The story is told through a single POV, following Mac (MacKenzie), the main female protagonist, as she tries to figure out who is responsible. I’m not going to say much more about the actual mystery because I don’t want to risk spoiling anything. There are plenty of characters to keep you engaged, each with their own motivations, along with tested friendships, rekindled friendships, personal struggles, and plenty of opportunities for inner growth and self-discovery.
The book does touch on some heavier topics, including SA, as well as smoking, drinking, drug use, and other issues teens may encounter. While those subjects are present, I felt they were handled appropriately for the intended YA audience.
Overall, this was an engaging and easy-to-get-lost-in YA thriller that kept me turning the pages, even when I was ahead of the mystery. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to my YA audience, especially to readers who enjoy a twisty mystery alongside stories about friendships, difficult choices, and figuring out who you are.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Look What You Did • Kaitlin Reilly
One phrase: golden boy dead, secrets everywhere 📱🔪
“I know what Will did that night. He deserved what happened to him.”
Immediately hooked.
Look What You Did follows Mackenzie, a seventeen year old girl living in a town that is mourning the death of Cold Creek’s golden boy, Will Ashford.
Almost everyone is grieving.
Mackenzie is relieved.
Because she knows Will was not the perfect boy everyone believed him to be. She knows there was something darker under that polished surface, something that happened one night at the Ashford house, something she swore she would never tell.
Then the texts start.
Someone knows Mackenzie’s secret, and they are determined to drag it into the light.
When her former best friend is found dead, Mackenzie becomes convinced the anonymous texter is behind the murder. But proving it means going back into the memories she has tried so hard to bury and exposing the kind of small town secrets people will do anything to keep hidden.
This sounds like such a tense YA thriller. I love stories where the “perfect” town is rotten underneath, where the golden boy was not actually golden, and where the main character has to decide if surviving the truth means finally speaking it out loud.
The setup has everything I want in a dark YA mystery: anonymous threats, buried trauma, murder, secrets, a town protecting its own image, and a girl who knows more than anyone realizes.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
📱 anonymous texts
🔪 YA thriller
🏡 small town secrets
👑 dead golden boy
💔 buried trauma
🕯 former best friend
👀 everyone is hiding something
🧩 murder mystery
⚠️ suspicious perfect family
🖤 dark suburban secrets
🔍 clearing a friend’s name
😱 truth finally coming out
📚 Read this if you like:
Kathleen Glasgow, Megan Lally, YA thrillers, small towns with dark secrets, anonymous messages, complicated grief, buried trauma, murder investigations, and stories where the person everyone loved may have been the most dangerous one.
This sounds tense, emotional, twisty, and full of the kind of secrets that refuse to stay buried.
#LookWhatYouDid #KaitlinReilly #YAThriller #MysteryThriller #BookReview @sourcebooksfire
One phrase: golden boy dead, secrets everywhere 📱🔪
“I know what Will did that night. He deserved what happened to him.”
Immediately hooked.
Look What You Did follows Mackenzie, a seventeen year old girl living in a town that is mourning the death of Cold Creek’s golden boy, Will Ashford.
Almost everyone is grieving.
Mackenzie is relieved.
Because she knows Will was not the perfect boy everyone believed him to be. She knows there was something darker under that polished surface, something that happened one night at the Ashford house, something she swore she would never tell.
Then the texts start.
Someone knows Mackenzie’s secret, and they are determined to drag it into the light.
When her former best friend is found dead, Mackenzie becomes convinced the anonymous texter is behind the murder. But proving it means going back into the memories she has tried so hard to bury and exposing the kind of small town secrets people will do anything to keep hidden.
This sounds like such a tense YA thriller. I love stories where the “perfect” town is rotten underneath, where the golden boy was not actually golden, and where the main character has to decide if surviving the truth means finally speaking it out loud.
The setup has everything I want in a dark YA mystery: anonymous threats, buried trauma, murder, secrets, a town protecting its own image, and a girl who knows more than anyone realizes.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
📱 anonymous texts
🔪 YA thriller
🏡 small town secrets
👑 dead golden boy
💔 buried trauma
🕯 former best friend
👀 everyone is hiding something
🧩 murder mystery
⚠️ suspicious perfect family
🖤 dark suburban secrets
🔍 clearing a friend’s name
😱 truth finally coming out
📚 Read this if you like:
Kathleen Glasgow, Megan Lally, YA thrillers, small towns with dark secrets, anonymous messages, complicated grief, buried trauma, murder investigations, and stories where the person everyone loved may have been the most dangerous one.
This sounds tense, emotional, twisty, and full of the kind of secrets that refuse to stay buried.
#LookWhatYouDid #KaitlinReilly #YAThriller #MysteryThriller #BookReview @sourcebooksfire
August 5, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow this book caught me by surprise! Way better than I expected! This book was very fast paced and the chapters were short, making the book easier to binge. The characters were messy and the whole town overall was problematic, which made the plot more interesting. I genuinely couldn’t figure out who the killer was and kept going back and forth on theories! This was giving messy friend drama with murder mystery. Just make sure to check trigger warnings!!!
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks fire for the opportunity to read this arc!
Wow this book caught me by surprise! Way better than I expected! This book was very fast paced and the chapters were short, making the book easier to binge. The characters were messy and the whole town overall was problematic, which made the plot more interesting. I genuinely couldn’t figure out who the killer was and kept going back and forth on theories! This was giving messy friend drama with murder mystery. Just make sure to check trigger warnings!!!
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks fire for the opportunity to read this arc!
September 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
Look what you did by Kaitlin Reilly
Published by @sourcebooksfire
OUT NOW
This is a debut from Kaitlin Reilly
One YA thriller filled with teenage secrets and high school drama.
In this story we follow Mackenzie, a small town and the loss of Will Ashford.
The towns golden boy, but behind closed doors Will isn't the good guy.
Emaline is her best friend but also the twin sister of the person who assaulted her.
The relationships are toxic and the story goes in super speed after the murder.
I thought the pace was going to fast in some parts and there is so much going on in the book that it gave me whiplash.
Really needed to catch my breath after the last page.
I would have chosen for a part 2 instead putting it all in one book.
Thanks to @netgalley and @sourcebooksfire
for my e arc
It was a ride of a read!!
#netgalley #booksta #booktok #bookaholic
#lookwhatyoudid
Look what you did by Kaitlin Reilly
Published by @sourcebooksfire
OUT NOW
This is a debut from Kaitlin Reilly
One YA thriller filled with teenage secrets and high school drama.
In this story we follow Mackenzie, a small town and the loss of Will Ashford.
The towns golden boy, but behind closed doors Will isn't the good guy.
Emaline is her best friend but also the twin sister of the person who assaulted her.
The relationships are toxic and the story goes in super speed after the murder.
I thought the pace was going to fast in some parts and there is so much going on in the book that it gave me whiplash.
Really needed to catch my breath after the last page.
I would have chosen for a part 2 instead putting it all in one book.
Thanks to @netgalley and @sourcebooksfire
for my e arc
It was a ride of a read!!
#netgalley #booksta #booktok #bookaholic
#lookwhatyoudid
October 18, 2026
This was an intriguing YA thriller with an interesting mystery and plenty of small-town secrets. I enjoyed the overall storyline and was curious to see how everything would come together. The anonymous messages, hidden past, and questions surrounding the murders kept me wanting to uncover the truth.
However, I felt the pacing was a little choppy at times. New characters seemed to be introduced at odd points throughout the story, which took away from the suspense of trying to figure out who was responsible. Rather than building on the mystery, these introductions sometimes disrupted the flow and made the story feel less cohesive. Overall, I enjoyed the mystery and the darker themes, but I think a smoother storyline and more developed suspects would have made this a stronger thriller for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire | Sourcebooks Fire for a digital ARC.
However, I felt the pacing was a little choppy at times. New characters seemed to be introduced at odd points throughout the story, which took away from the suspense of trying to figure out who was responsible. Rather than building on the mystery, these introductions sometimes disrupted the flow and made the story feel less cohesive. Overall, I enjoyed the mystery and the darker themes, but I think a smoother storyline and more developed suspects would have made this a stronger thriller for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire | Sourcebooks Fire for a digital ARC.
October 4, 2026
This is a solid YA thriller. The story was interesting and engaging, the MC was likable, and the ending was satisfying. I do think it suffers from too many twists, it could have been a bit shorter and straightforward, but it’s still a good book that I’d recommend to lovers of the genre.
September 15, 2026
This is a mile-a-minute twisty-turny thriller. The triggers are heavy with rape, drugs, murder, and privileged teens in private schools in essentially a planned community keeping up appearances. It's a well-written story with heavy content and there is a lot of mystery to work through. Thank-you, SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Kaitlin Reilly, for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
September 15, 2026
This story is more than just a YA mystery/thriller. It’s a timely and poignant take on human behavior, male privilege, the secrets we keep from even our closest relationships, and the judgements we’re quick to make on others. I thought it was a really good debut novel.
The mystery - whodunnit - kept me hooked, full of twists and turns. The FMC, Mackenzie, was determined to learn the truth about who murdered her former best friend and how does she help the one arrested that she knows is innocent. But what gets unraveled in the meantime is dark and difficult.
The story leans on the parents aren't around/are oblivious trope, which I always struggle finding realistic, so that impacted my score.
3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the advance copy to enjoy.
The mystery - whodunnit - kept me hooked, full of twists and turns. The FMC, Mackenzie, was determined to learn the truth about who murdered her former best friend and how does she help the one arrested that she knows is innocent. But what gets unraveled in the meantime is dark and difficult.
The story leans on the parents aren't around/are oblivious trope, which I always struggle finding realistic, so that impacted my score.
3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the advance copy to enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LOOK WHAT YOU DID by Kaitlin Reilly (September 15, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eArc
After the d*ath of "golden boy" Will Ashford, Mackenzie is relieved. He was was dangerous, but she would never tell. An anonymous message, and the d*ath of an old friend later, Mac is determined to figure out who k*lled her friend despite the dark secrets she's hidden and the ones she's unburied.
LOOK WHAT YOU DID is a YA thriller. I flew through this one. The chapters were short, which made it all the more devourable. This is a heavy book; it is emotional and empowering, but could also be triggering for some (make sure you check the trigger warnings).
Mackenzie was all over the place with her investigation. Honestly, I was too. There were so many shady people; the suspect pool was endless. Throughout its entirety, there was a twist I was hoping to see involving the whodunnit (I thought for sure the author was leading up to that). I was wrong, but the twist Reilly delivered was better than I could have imagined. Plus the final twist...talk about a shocking revelation. Can't say I blame [Redacted] for that one.
I can't wait to read more.
LOOK WHAT YOU DID by Kaitlin Reilly (September 15, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eArc
After the d*ath of "golden boy" Will Ashford, Mackenzie is relieved. He was was dangerous, but she would never tell. An anonymous message, and the d*ath of an old friend later, Mac is determined to figure out who k*lled her friend despite the dark secrets she's hidden and the ones she's unburied.
LOOK WHAT YOU DID is a YA thriller. I flew through this one. The chapters were short, which made it all the more devourable. This is a heavy book; it is emotional and empowering, but could also be triggering for some (make sure you check the trigger warnings).
Mackenzie was all over the place with her investigation. Honestly, I was too. There were so many shady people; the suspect pool was endless. Throughout its entirety, there was a twist I was hoping to see involving the whodunnit (I thought for sure the author was leading up to that). I was wrong, but the twist Reilly delivered was better than I could have imagined. Plus the final twist...talk about a shocking revelation. Can't say I blame [Redacted] for that one.
I can't wait to read more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Look What You Did” by Kaitlin Reilly is one of those YA thrillers that immediately throws you into a messy web of secrets, trauma, toxic friendships, revenge, and anonymous texts, and honestly? I flew through it. This book has such a tense “everyone in this town is hiding something” atmosphere that made it ridiculously easy to keep turning pages.
But before anything else: definitely read the content warnings. This book deals heavily with sexual assault, self-harm, suicide, anxiety, and trauma, and it does not shy away from the emotional fallout of those experiences. This is firmly older YA territory.
The story follows Mackenzie, whose small town is still mourning the death of its beloved golden boy, Will Ashford. The problem is that Mackenzie knows Will wasn’t the perfect guy everyone thinks he was. Behind closed doors, he assaulted her, and she’s been forced to quietly carry that trauma while everyone around her continues worshipping his memory. Even worse, her best friend Emaline happens to be Will’s twin sister, and Mackenzie has spent years staying silent because exposing the truth would completely destroy her entire social world.
And honestly, Mackenzie’s relationships throughout this book are a mess in the most compelling way possible.
Her friendship with Emaline is incredibly toxic, manipulative, and controlling. Emaline constantly walks all over Mackenzie, yet Mackenzie clings to the friendship because it gives her a sense of belonging and stability. It felt painfully realistic watching Mackenzie excuse behavior she knows is unhealthy because she’s terrified of losing the people around her. The book does a really good job showing how trauma can trap people in relationships that actively hurt them.
Things spiral quickly once Mackenzie starts receiving anonymous texts from someone who clearly knows what happened between her and Will. At the same time, Mackenzie starts to recognize some strange “coincidences” happening around town where popular boys at their school are being targeted, like a star athlete gets mugged and kicked off the team, an academically gifted student is framed for cheating, reputations start collapsing left and right, and it slowly becomes obvious that someone is intentionally going after boys connected to assault allegations and hidden abuse.
Then a murder happens.
From there, the book becomes a pretty fast-paced mystery with Mackenzie trying to figure out who’s targeting these boys, who killed her former best friend, and whether all these seemingly separate events are actually connected. I really liked how many plot threads were constantly moving at once because it created this chaotic feeling where the town itself started unraveling piece by piece.
The atmosphere was honestly one of my favorite parts. Cold Creek has this polished “perfect suburban utopia” reputation, but underneath that image is a ridiculous amount of violence, secrecy, and cruelty. The contrast between the town’s clean appearance and the ugliness underneath worked really well for the story.
I also appreciated how realistically the book portrayed anxiety and trauma. Mackenzie’s thoughts often feel overwhelming and painfully loud, especially as she’s forced to confront things she’s spent years trying to bury. There’s a lot of emotional weight here beyond just the mystery itself. The story really focuses on the consequences of silence, denial, revenge, and the damage people cause when they protect abusers for the sake of appearances.
Now admittedly, some of the twists were pretty easy to predict. Seasoned thriller readers will probably connect certain dots before Mackenzie does, and there were definitely moments where I wanted to yell at her because the answers felt obvious. Still, even when I guessed certain reveals, I stayed invested because the emotional tension remained strong throughout. There’s also one final twist near the end that genuinely caught me off guard and recontextualized a lot of the story in a really satisfying way.
Mackenzie herself might be a difficult protagonist for some readers because she’s not always particularly likable. She can be cruel, selfish, and frustrating at times, especially in how she treats some of her friends. But honestly, I thought that worked for the story. She feels like a teenager who has been emotionally drowning for years and has no idea how to properly process her trauma or stand up for herself. Watching her slowly stop avoiding the truth and finally confront the people around her was one of the strongest parts of the book for me.
The pacing occasionally slows down because of high school drama subplots that don’t always feel essential to the central mystery, but overall I found this incredibly bingeable. Kaitlin Reilly does a really solid job balancing the thriller elements with heavier discussions about assault, victimhood, revenge, and accountability.
Overall, “Look What You Did” is a dark, emotional YA thriller packed with secrets, toxic friendships, revenge plots, anonymous threats, and small-town rot hiding beneath a perfect surface. Some twists are predictable, but the fast pacing, tense atmosphere, and emotional stakes kept me hooked the entire time. It’s messy, dramatic, uncomfortable at times, and exactly the kind of thriller that’s very hard to put down once everything starts spiraling.
“Look What You Did” by Kaitlin Reilly is one of those YA thrillers that immediately throws you into a messy web of secrets, trauma, toxic friendships, revenge, and anonymous texts, and honestly? I flew through it. This book has such a tense “everyone in this town is hiding something” atmosphere that made it ridiculously easy to keep turning pages.
But before anything else: definitely read the content warnings. This book deals heavily with sexual assault, self-harm, suicide, anxiety, and trauma, and it does not shy away from the emotional fallout of those experiences. This is firmly older YA territory.
The story follows Mackenzie, whose small town is still mourning the death of its beloved golden boy, Will Ashford. The problem is that Mackenzie knows Will wasn’t the perfect guy everyone thinks he was. Behind closed doors, he assaulted her, and she’s been forced to quietly carry that trauma while everyone around her continues worshipping his memory. Even worse, her best friend Emaline happens to be Will’s twin sister, and Mackenzie has spent years staying silent because exposing the truth would completely destroy her entire social world.
And honestly, Mackenzie’s relationships throughout this book are a mess in the most compelling way possible.
Her friendship with Emaline is incredibly toxic, manipulative, and controlling. Emaline constantly walks all over Mackenzie, yet Mackenzie clings to the friendship because it gives her a sense of belonging and stability. It felt painfully realistic watching Mackenzie excuse behavior she knows is unhealthy because she’s terrified of losing the people around her. The book does a really good job showing how trauma can trap people in relationships that actively hurt them.
Things spiral quickly once Mackenzie starts receiving anonymous texts from someone who clearly knows what happened between her and Will. At the same time, Mackenzie starts to recognize some strange “coincidences” happening around town where popular boys at their school are being targeted, like a star athlete gets mugged and kicked off the team, an academically gifted student is framed for cheating, reputations start collapsing left and right, and it slowly becomes obvious that someone is intentionally going after boys connected to assault allegations and hidden abuse.
Then a murder happens.
From there, the book becomes a pretty fast-paced mystery with Mackenzie trying to figure out who’s targeting these boys, who killed her former best friend, and whether all these seemingly separate events are actually connected. I really liked how many plot threads were constantly moving at once because it created this chaotic feeling where the town itself started unraveling piece by piece.
The atmosphere was honestly one of my favorite parts. Cold Creek has this polished “perfect suburban utopia” reputation, but underneath that image is a ridiculous amount of violence, secrecy, and cruelty. The contrast between the town’s clean appearance and the ugliness underneath worked really well for the story.
I also appreciated how realistically the book portrayed anxiety and trauma. Mackenzie’s thoughts often feel overwhelming and painfully loud, especially as she’s forced to confront things she’s spent years trying to bury. There’s a lot of emotional weight here beyond just the mystery itself. The story really focuses on the consequences of silence, denial, revenge, and the damage people cause when they protect abusers for the sake of appearances.
Now admittedly, some of the twists were pretty easy to predict. Seasoned thriller readers will probably connect certain dots before Mackenzie does, and there were definitely moments where I wanted to yell at her because the answers felt obvious. Still, even when I guessed certain reveals, I stayed invested because the emotional tension remained strong throughout. There’s also one final twist near the end that genuinely caught me off guard and recontextualized a lot of the story in a really satisfying way.
Mackenzie herself might be a difficult protagonist for some readers because she’s not always particularly likable. She can be cruel, selfish, and frustrating at times, especially in how she treats some of her friends. But honestly, I thought that worked for the story. She feels like a teenager who has been emotionally drowning for years and has no idea how to properly process her trauma or stand up for herself. Watching her slowly stop avoiding the truth and finally confront the people around her was one of the strongest parts of the book for me.
The pacing occasionally slows down because of high school drama subplots that don’t always feel essential to the central mystery, but overall I found this incredibly bingeable. Kaitlin Reilly does a really solid job balancing the thriller elements with heavier discussions about assault, victimhood, revenge, and accountability.
Overall, “Look What You Did” is a dark, emotional YA thriller packed with secrets, toxic friendships, revenge plots, anonymous threats, and small-town rot hiding beneath a perfect surface. Some twists are predictable, but the fast pacing, tense atmosphere, and emotional stakes kept me hooked the entire time. It’s messy, dramatic, uncomfortable at times, and exactly the kind of thriller that’s very hard to put down once everything starts spiraling.
September 19, 2026
“Because the truth is, I’d hoped and prayed I would never have to see Will Ashford again. I’d wanted it more than I wanted anything in my entire life. And then, as if I’d gotten my wish, he was gone.”
Mac is heartbroken that Will Ashford is dead—at least, that’s what it looks like to everyone else. Why wouldn’t she be? He was her best friend Emaline’s twin brother. And she was “Will’s favorite.” He was the prince of Cold Creek. Who wouldn’t be sad that their beloved Will was dead? Right beneath the surface, though, Mac has other thoughts. She knows the truth about him. And she’s determined to keep it to herself—for her best friend’s sake. But it’s not that easy when an old friend ends up dead, an innocent man is arrested, and it’s up to Mac to find the truth. Even if finding the killer might expose Mac to the dark underbelly of the town, Will’s crimes, and herself.
Look What You Did is Pretty Little Liars meets I Know What You Did Last Summer: a thriller, a mystery, and a commentary all wrapped up into one. This has been the summer of thrillers for me, so adding this to my reading list was something I was looking forward to. But honestly, this book was disappointing. Obviously, you read the synopsis, and you want to know what Will Ashford did to our main character, Mac. But before I even read past the first page, I knew the crime, I knew the tone the book was taking, and I even knew who committed the crime. Now you might be thinking, “Well, Hayley, you read a lot of thrillers, and you will get good at guessing.” But it wasn’t that—this book was just predictable. It felt like every other young adult (YA) thriller on the shelves. Now, I will say that Reilly’s writing style kept me hooked the entire time. And the way she wrote the flashbacks added a lot to the characters. Without those flashback moments, I think Mac would have fallen flat. If you want to read a thriller or a mystery and are okay with hard discussions, maybe this book is for you. The topics central to the story aren’t ones I would usually choose to read about, so maybe that colored my judgment. For example, there was a lot of heavy-handed commentary and not much redemption, which left me feeling sad and a little hopeless about the world. Not that everything has to have an uplifting tone—but I would have liked to see Mac emerge from her trauma a little more. Overall, this book just wasn’t for me.
Look What You Did releases on September 15th, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Mac is heartbroken that Will Ashford is dead—at least, that’s what it looks like to everyone else. Why wouldn’t she be? He was her best friend Emaline’s twin brother. And she was “Will’s favorite.” He was the prince of Cold Creek. Who wouldn’t be sad that their beloved Will was dead? Right beneath the surface, though, Mac has other thoughts. She knows the truth about him. And she’s determined to keep it to herself—for her best friend’s sake. But it’s not that easy when an old friend ends up dead, an innocent man is arrested, and it’s up to Mac to find the truth. Even if finding the killer might expose Mac to the dark underbelly of the town, Will’s crimes, and herself.
Look What You Did is Pretty Little Liars meets I Know What You Did Last Summer: a thriller, a mystery, and a commentary all wrapped up into one. This has been the summer of thrillers for me, so adding this to my reading list was something I was looking forward to. But honestly, this book was disappointing. Obviously, you read the synopsis, and you want to know what Will Ashford did to our main character, Mac. But before I even read past the first page, I knew the crime, I knew the tone the book was taking, and I even knew who committed the crime. Now you might be thinking, “Well, Hayley, you read a lot of thrillers, and you will get good at guessing.” But it wasn’t that—this book was just predictable. It felt like every other young adult (YA) thriller on the shelves. Now, I will say that Reilly’s writing style kept me hooked the entire time. And the way she wrote the flashbacks added a lot to the characters. Without those flashback moments, I think Mac would have fallen flat. If you want to read a thriller or a mystery and are okay with hard discussions, maybe this book is for you. The topics central to the story aren’t ones I would usually choose to read about, so maybe that colored my judgment. For example, there was a lot of heavy-handed commentary and not much redemption, which left me feeling sad and a little hopeless about the world. Not that everything has to have an uplifting tone—but I would have liked to see Mac emerge from her trauma a little more. Overall, this book just wasn’t for me.
Look What You Did releases on September 15th, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you as always to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
A tragedy has befallen the town of Cold Creek; Will Ashford, resident golden boy and ancestor of the town’s founder, died in a sudden accident. The town is mourning, or at least, they act like they are.
Mackenzie is one of them, putting on a sad face and pretending to mourn her best friend’s twin brother. But truth is, she’s relieved. Beneath Will’s charming exterior lurked something dark and rather dangerous, and Mac can feel relief knowing that her secret will stay buried with him.
Until an anonymous texter reveals that they know what happened, and they want Mac to open up about her secret, or they just might do it for her.
When another death suddenly rocks the town, this victim being Mac’s childhood best friend, she is convinced the anonymous texter is to blame. But the police think they have the culprit—Mac’s next door neighbor, who she knows has to be innocent.
But in order to prove it, Mac has to confront the thing she’s tried so hard to forget, and expose the secrets of their small town to put the real killer behind bars and get justice; not just for herself, but for the others that she discovers have also tried to bury their trauma.
This book has a very prominent page for trigger warnings, which I always appreciate! So be aware there is mention of self harm, and past SA is featured as a very big part of the narrative in the book. But like I said, the book does well to make a clear warning page, and that is great.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot! For a first book, I think Reilly did a really nice job! Her characters felt distinct enough from one another that they didn’t feel like they blended together to a point where they weren’t discernible.
With the triggering topics, she handled them well, which I think can be challenging for authors. I thought that the way she portrayed that everyone has a different story of their own, and it’s not as cut and dry as some may think. She also is clear to say that while men are often the primary aggressors, women can be as well, and the same with victims. Men can be victims too.
In terms of the mystery and the reveal, it was both surprising but could be obvious if you connected the dots yourself. But the ending was enjoyable nonetheless! I’m interested to see what Reilly writes next and in the future, and I definitely will keep an eye out for whatever it is she does.
A tragedy has befallen the town of Cold Creek; Will Ashford, resident golden boy and ancestor of the town’s founder, died in a sudden accident. The town is mourning, or at least, they act like they are.
Mackenzie is one of them, putting on a sad face and pretending to mourn her best friend’s twin brother. But truth is, she’s relieved. Beneath Will’s charming exterior lurked something dark and rather dangerous, and Mac can feel relief knowing that her secret will stay buried with him.
Until an anonymous texter reveals that they know what happened, and they want Mac to open up about her secret, or they just might do it for her.
When another death suddenly rocks the town, this victim being Mac’s childhood best friend, she is convinced the anonymous texter is to blame. But the police think they have the culprit—Mac’s next door neighbor, who she knows has to be innocent.
But in order to prove it, Mac has to confront the thing she’s tried so hard to forget, and expose the secrets of their small town to put the real killer behind bars and get justice; not just for herself, but for the others that she discovers have also tried to bury their trauma.
This book has a very prominent page for trigger warnings, which I always appreciate! So be aware there is mention of self harm, and past SA is featured as a very big part of the narrative in the book. But like I said, the book does well to make a clear warning page, and that is great.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot! For a first book, I think Reilly did a really nice job! Her characters felt distinct enough from one another that they didn’t feel like they blended together to a point where they weren’t discernible.
With the triggering topics, she handled them well, which I think can be challenging for authors. I thought that the way she portrayed that everyone has a different story of their own, and it’s not as cut and dry as some may think. She also is clear to say that while men are often the primary aggressors, women can be as well, and the same with victims. Men can be victims too.
In terms of the mystery and the reveal, it was both surprising but could be obvious if you connected the dots yourself. But the ending was enjoyable nonetheless! I’m interested to see what Reilly writes next and in the future, and I definitely will keep an eye out for whatever it is she does.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
***Review is of a print advanced reader copy (ARC) provided by Sourcebooks Fire and changes may be made in final copy.***
Cold Creek is a near perfect town created by the Ashford family to demonstrate what a small, rural community can be-walkable, stellar academic performance in schools with high numbers of graduates attending Ivy League and various other prestigious colleges, self-sufficient, and, of course, low crime. But junior Mackenzie/Mac knows differently and will soon find out how deep the level of dark is among all the perfect people.
Kaitlin Reilly’s debut book will keep readers turning pages in order to see who will next be revealed as a rapist, drug or alcohol abuser and/or seller of both, or a part of the cover up that is now not so covered up. The guilt, shame and desire to keep the assault secret felt by those experiencing sexual assault is hard to read but feels authentic and will hopefully lead victims to seek out someone to listen and to help but not in the violent way attempted by some portrayed in “Look What You Did.” Reilly keeps the intrigue going with one person arrested, two people dead and one of those is definitely murder, alibis being disproven and new suspects turning up regularly. Readers may figure out bits and pieces of all the wrong-doing happening in the so-called perfect place to live, but doubtful they’ll get everything right.
Personal note: I did find the level of sexual assault, underage drinking, drug abuse to be so high that I wonder how realistic that is. Furthermore, it seemed to be quite easy for teens as young as 14 to acquire drugs, alcohol and all manner of smoking materials. I hope this is not the reality experienced by today’s young people.
Libraries looking for thrillers that are not overly bloody nor filled with explicit sex may want to consider this one but the ARC was filled with excessive profanity, most of it completely unnecessary to conveying the anger and high emotions of the characters.
*Profanity: f-bombs-5, ass/asshole-4, shit/bullshit-11, hell-4, Gd-2, bitch-4
*Triggers: Sexual violence, self-harm, suicide are key aspects in the book with more subtle body image issues also present.
*Sexual Content: frequent references to consensual sex among Mac’s classmates as well as girls being pressured to participate or raped but no details.; Mac’s rape is briefly described but is more about the violation than the sex act.
*Representation: Nora’s family is Jewish & that rep is reflected in the shiva held in her memory
*LBGTQ+: Xavier got involved w/a guy online & nude photos were exchanged but it turned out to be a predator; brief comment about a student in a Facebook orchestra group picture having a boyfriend at Columbia; As everyone’s secrets begin to come out at the end, one character is revealed to be bisexual.
Misc. notes:
-MCs are high school juniors
-frequent parties that include underage beer/liquor/cigarettes/vaping, marijuana, pills and/or plenty of “hooking up” at various levels of intensity with Mac noting at least one kegger when she and Emaline were 14; casual view of all the drinking and smoking and easy access to all
-Mac’s mom died of cancer 3 yrs ago and dad works away from home often; Emaline’s parents’ preference for Will is obvious; Xavier’s mother is all types of abusive and neglectful.
-Xavier attempted suicide with the online sexual predators being the final straw; Nora got him to a victims of sexual assault support group.
-Counselors and counseling is portrayed in both negative and positive ways but many of those seeking help who fail in their first attempts, keep trying until they find something/someone who believes and does help.
Cold Creek is a near perfect town created by the Ashford family to demonstrate what a small, rural community can be-walkable, stellar academic performance in schools with high numbers of graduates attending Ivy League and various other prestigious colleges, self-sufficient, and, of course, low crime. But junior Mackenzie/Mac knows differently and will soon find out how deep the level of dark is among all the perfect people.
Kaitlin Reilly’s debut book will keep readers turning pages in order to see who will next be revealed as a rapist, drug or alcohol abuser and/or seller of both, or a part of the cover up that is now not so covered up. The guilt, shame and desire to keep the assault secret felt by those experiencing sexual assault is hard to read but feels authentic and will hopefully lead victims to seek out someone to listen and to help but not in the violent way attempted by some portrayed in “Look What You Did.” Reilly keeps the intrigue going with one person arrested, two people dead and one of those is definitely murder, alibis being disproven and new suspects turning up regularly. Readers may figure out bits and pieces of all the wrong-doing happening in the so-called perfect place to live, but doubtful they’ll get everything right.
Personal note: I did find the level of sexual assault, underage drinking, drug abuse to be so high that I wonder how realistic that is. Furthermore, it seemed to be quite easy for teens as young as 14 to acquire drugs, alcohol and all manner of smoking materials. I hope this is not the reality experienced by today’s young people.
Libraries looking for thrillers that are not overly bloody nor filled with explicit sex may want to consider this one but the ARC was filled with excessive profanity, most of it completely unnecessary to conveying the anger and high emotions of the characters.
*Profanity: f-bombs-5, ass/asshole-4, shit/bullshit-11, hell-4, Gd-2, bitch-4
*Triggers: Sexual violence, self-harm, suicide are key aspects in the book with more subtle body image issues also present.
*Sexual Content: frequent references to consensual sex among Mac’s classmates as well as girls being pressured to participate or raped but no details.; Mac’s rape is briefly described but is more about the violation than the sex act.
*Representation: Nora’s family is Jewish & that rep is reflected in the shiva held in her memory
*LBGTQ+: Xavier got involved w/a guy online & nude photos were exchanged but it turned out to be a predator; brief comment about a student in a Facebook orchestra group picture having a boyfriend at Columbia; As everyone’s secrets begin to come out at the end, one character is revealed to be bisexual.
Misc. notes:
-MCs are high school juniors
-frequent parties that include underage beer/liquor/cigarettes/vaping, marijuana, pills and/or plenty of “hooking up” at various levels of intensity with Mac noting at least one kegger when she and Emaline were 14; casual view of all the drinking and smoking and easy access to all
-Mac’s mom died of cancer 3 yrs ago and dad works away from home often; Emaline’s parents’ preference for Will is obvious; Xavier’s mother is all types of abusive and neglectful.
-Xavier attempted suicide with the online sexual predators being the final straw; Nora got him to a victims of sexual assault support group.
-Counselors and counseling is portrayed in both negative and positive ways but many of those seeking help who fail in their first attempts, keep trying until they find something/someone who believes and does help.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Look What You Did pulled me in from the very first chapter with its ominous atmosphere, anonymous texts, and the promise that everyone in this small town was hiding something. It had all the ingredients of a compelling YA mystery, and for the most part, it absolutely delivered.
One of my favourite aspects was how many potential suspects there were. Every new revelation made me second-guess my theories, and I genuinely enjoyed trying to piece the mystery together alongside Mac. That said, because there were so many interconnected characters, I occasionally found it difficult to distinguish between some of the suspects and keep track of what made each one significant.
What truly elevates this novel beyond being just another mystery is its emotional core. Mac's journey of confronting her own buried trauma felt authentic and thoughtfully written. The ending, in particular, left a lasting impression.
The novel also tackles several heavy topics, including sexual assault, consent, self-harm, substance abuse, grief, and suicide attempts. I appreciated that the author explored different forms of assault and highlighted experiences that victims themselves may struggle to identify or process. While I did feel that the number of traumatic incidents packed into one story became slightly overwhelming at times, they were handled with sensitivity and purpose rather than shock value.
Overall, this is a gripping upper-YA thriller that blends mystery with meaningful conversations about trauma, consent, and recovery. If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries filled with secrets, unreliable perceptions, multiple suspects, and twists that keep you questioning everyone, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing me with an advance copy.
One of my favourite aspects was how many potential suspects there were. Every new revelation made me second-guess my theories, and I genuinely enjoyed trying to piece the mystery together alongside Mac. That said, because there were so many interconnected characters, I occasionally found it difficult to distinguish between some of the suspects and keep track of what made each one significant.
What truly elevates this novel beyond being just another mystery is its emotional core. Mac's journey of confronting her own buried trauma felt authentic and thoughtfully written. The ending, in particular, left a lasting impression.
The novel also tackles several heavy topics, including sexual assault, consent, self-harm, substance abuse, grief, and suicide attempts. I appreciated that the author explored different forms of assault and highlighted experiences that victims themselves may struggle to identify or process. While I did feel that the number of traumatic incidents packed into one story became slightly overwhelming at times, they were handled with sensitivity and purpose rather than shock value.
Overall, this is a gripping upper-YA thriller that blends mystery with meaningful conversations about trauma, consent, and recovery. If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries filled with secrets, unreliable perceptions, multiple suspects, and twists that keep you questioning everyone, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing me with an advance copy.
September 17, 2026
Mackenzie’s BFF’s twin brother, golden boy Will Ashford dies, she’s not the only one who knows Will’s darker side. Readers can guess at what the “darker side” is. He’s not the first rich white guy to get away with serial rape, to have his crimes covered up by his family and leaders in the community. When one of Mackenzie’s friends is murdered and another stands charge with the crime, she launches an investigation.
Mackenzie, though sympathetic, is a rather awful person. In her attempts to protect herself from emotional pain, she scapegoats a friend then refuses to talk to her, because the friend thinks (knows) Mack needs psychological help. Even years later, knowing she was wrong, she fails to apologize or even treat her former friend with kindness. Only when the friend is murdered does she begin to care, yet she won’t tell her other friends for fear of their reaction. Being traumatized and having unprocessed grief isn’t a get out of jail free card for treating others badly.
I guessed the perp from the beginning, I’ll bet most readers did too.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of Kaitlin Reilly’s LOOK WHAT YOU DID, despite its many flaws.
I wish Reilly had done a little bit of research for this book. Teenagers under 18 can’t just go to jail’s to visit people. Also, minors aren’t held in adult prisons even if they’re charged as an adult. They’re placed in juvenile detention centers. Every interaction, including phone calls with plexiglass between inmate and visitors, is monitored. Signs all over the visiting room remind folks.
LOOK WHAT YOU DID was good for a debut novel, interesting enough to hold my attention.
Mackenzie, though sympathetic, is a rather awful person. In her attempts to protect herself from emotional pain, she scapegoats a friend then refuses to talk to her, because the friend thinks (knows) Mack needs psychological help. Even years later, knowing she was wrong, she fails to apologize or even treat her former friend with kindness. Only when the friend is murdered does she begin to care, yet she won’t tell her other friends for fear of their reaction. Being traumatized and having unprocessed grief isn’t a get out of jail free card for treating others badly.
I guessed the perp from the beginning, I’ll bet most readers did too.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of Kaitlin Reilly’s LOOK WHAT YOU DID, despite its many flaws.
I wish Reilly had done a little bit of research for this book. Teenagers under 18 can’t just go to jail’s to visit people. Also, minors aren’t held in adult prisons even if they’re charged as an adult. They’re placed in juvenile detention centers. Every interaction, including phone calls with plexiglass between inmate and visitors, is monitored. Signs all over the visiting room remind folks.
LOOK WHAT YOU DID was good for a debut novel, interesting enough to hold my attention.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐️
Plot
After the death of Cold Creek’s beloved golden boy, Will Ashford, seventeen-year-old Mackenzie feels relief instead of grief because she knows the dark truth hidden behind his perfect image. When anonymous texts threaten to expose a secret tied to one terrifying night at the Ashford house, Mackenzie becomes convinced someone is targeting her. As another death shakes the town, she must uncover who is behind the messages while confronting buried trauma and the dangerous secrets her suburban community is desperate to protect.
Thoughts
Before you start reading this book, please note that it contains themes of sexual violence, self-harm, body image issues, and suicide.
This thriller hooked me pretty quickly because we jump right into the mystery within the first few chapters. I loved how tense and unsettling the atmosphere felt from the start and the anonymous texts added an extra layer of suspense that kept me wanting to know the truth behind Will’s death and the secrets hidden in Cold Creek.
Mackenzie was an interesting main character, especially as she struggled with confronting her trauma while trying to uncover what was really happening around her. The story handled heavy topics throughout the book and they definitely added emotional depth to the mystery.
That being said, there were parts where the pacing slowed down for me and I found certain twists a little predictable.
Overall, this was a solid debut YA thriller with a dark small-town atmosphere, emotional stakes and enough twists to keep me invested until the end.
Plot
After the death of Cold Creek’s beloved golden boy, Will Ashford, seventeen-year-old Mackenzie feels relief instead of grief because she knows the dark truth hidden behind his perfect image. When anonymous texts threaten to expose a secret tied to one terrifying night at the Ashford house, Mackenzie becomes convinced someone is targeting her. As another death shakes the town, she must uncover who is behind the messages while confronting buried trauma and the dangerous secrets her suburban community is desperate to protect.
Thoughts
Before you start reading this book, please note that it contains themes of sexual violence, self-harm, body image issues, and suicide.
This thriller hooked me pretty quickly because we jump right into the mystery within the first few chapters. I loved how tense and unsettling the atmosphere felt from the start and the anonymous texts added an extra layer of suspense that kept me wanting to know the truth behind Will’s death and the secrets hidden in Cold Creek.
Mackenzie was an interesting main character, especially as she struggled with confronting her trauma while trying to uncover what was really happening around her. The story handled heavy topics throughout the book and they definitely added emotional depth to the mystery.
That being said, there were parts where the pacing slowed down for me and I found certain twists a little predictable.
Overall, this was a solid debut YA thriller with a dark small-town atmosphere, emotional stakes and enough twists to keep me invested until the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Look What You Did by Kaitlin Reilly is a gripping, propulsive YA thriller that grabs you from the very first page and simply refuses to let go.
Set inside the walls of Cold Creek Academy, Reilly has crafted a world that feels both glamorous and deeply unsettling. The students here party hard, live largely unsupervised, and carry secrets that run disturbingly deep. It is a rich, atmospheric setting that perfectly fuels the mystery at the heart of the story. At the center of it all is Mackenzie is on a mission to uncover the truth behind the murder of one of her former best friends. Her journey keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with suspense building steadily and the list of possible suspects keeping you guessing at every turn. The story does an exceptional job of planting just enough doubt and intrigue to make every revelation feel both surprising and satisfying.
The characters throughout are layered and believable, each carrying their own baggage and motivations that make the mystery feel genuinely unpredictable. This is the kind of book where you will find yourself mentally pointing fingers at nearly everyone before the truth finally comes to light.
One note for readers and parents: while this is marketed as a YA novel, the story does not shy away from dark and self-destructive behaviors among its teenage characters. It is worth keeping in mind when considering the book for younger readers.
This book was truly hard to put down. I hope there is a movie in the future!
Set inside the walls of Cold Creek Academy, Reilly has crafted a world that feels both glamorous and deeply unsettling. The students here party hard, live largely unsupervised, and carry secrets that run disturbingly deep. It is a rich, atmospheric setting that perfectly fuels the mystery at the heart of the story. At the center of it all is Mackenzie is on a mission to uncover the truth behind the murder of one of her former best friends. Her journey keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with suspense building steadily and the list of possible suspects keeping you guessing at every turn. The story does an exceptional job of planting just enough doubt and intrigue to make every revelation feel both surprising and satisfying.
The characters throughout are layered and believable, each carrying their own baggage and motivations that make the mystery feel genuinely unpredictable. This is the kind of book where you will find yourself mentally pointing fingers at nearly everyone before the truth finally comes to light.
One note for readers and parents: while this is marketed as a YA novel, the story does not shy away from dark and self-destructive behaviors among its teenage characters. It is worth keeping in mind when considering the book for younger readers.
This book was truly hard to put down. I hope there is a movie in the future!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fast paced mystery thriller about a girl trying to uncover who killed her former best friend before another friend is falsely framed for the murder.
I hated that Nora was killed off so early, and Xavier being thrown into jail was frustrating because, honestly, they were the only two characters I really liked. Emaline was incredibly annoying, and I never really understood how she and Mackenzie became so close in the first place.
After Emaline loses her brother, Will, she completely spirals. She expects Mackenzie to be there for her through everything, but when Nora dies, she barely offers Mackenzie any comfort or support. Like… girl, that is a pretty shitty friend.
I had a feeling that Nora was somehow involved in Will’s death, and I also suspected that Will had assaulted both Nora and Mackenzie. I wasn’t completely expecting Emaline to be the one who killed Nora, but considering how awful she was throughout the story, I wasn’t exactly shocked either.
I’m so glad Mackenzie ultimately turned Emaline in and was able to get Xavier out. If she hadn’t, I probably would have rated this one lower, lol.
Overall, this was a solid mystery thriller with some high and low moments. While I didn’t love every character or every part of the story, I still enjoyed trying to piece together what happened. I’ll definitely check out more from this author!
This was a fast paced mystery thriller about a girl trying to uncover who killed her former best friend before another friend is falsely framed for the murder.
I hated that Nora was killed off so early, and Xavier being thrown into jail was frustrating because, honestly, they were the only two characters I really liked. Emaline was incredibly annoying, and I never really understood how she and Mackenzie became so close in the first place.
After Emaline loses her brother, Will, she completely spirals. She expects Mackenzie to be there for her through everything, but when Nora dies, she barely offers Mackenzie any comfort or support. Like… girl, that is a pretty shitty friend.
I had a feeling that Nora was somehow involved in Will’s death, and I also suspected that Will had assaulted both Nora and Mackenzie. I wasn’t completely expecting Emaline to be the one who killed Nora, but considering how awful she was throughout the story, I wasn’t exactly shocked either.
I’m so glad Mackenzie ultimately turned Emaline in and was able to get Xavier out. If she hadn’t, I probably would have rated this one lower, lol.
Overall, this was a solid mystery thriller with some high and low moments. While I didn’t love every character or every part of the story, I still enjoyed trying to piece together what happened. I’ll definitely check out more from this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This page-turner of a YA thriller sucks you in from the first page, opening with the funeral of the golden boy of the town while our main character is trying her best to keep her secrets about him. There's a lot of twists and turns as the secrets multiply, and Mackenzie's former best friend ends up dead, with her other former best friend the prime suspect for the murder, and even if Mackenzie is a mess at this point, she's going to chase down the truth no matter what.
Mackenzie is a teen girl in every sense of the word; emotional, driven by impulse, but also burning with conflicting loyalties and trying to figure out what it means to be brave in a world that punishes women who stand out. This book is pretty heavy-handed at times, but it kind of needs to be to deal with such dark topics like sexual assault that too many people shove under the rug.
The twist at the end seemed a bit obvious to me just given the length of the book, but it was an effective ending all the same.
It's a solid teen thriller that deals with heavy topics that need to be talked about, so do check it out.
This page-turner of a YA thriller sucks you in from the first page, opening with the funeral of the golden boy of the town while our main character is trying her best to keep her secrets about him. There's a lot of twists and turns as the secrets multiply, and Mackenzie's former best friend ends up dead, with her other former best friend the prime suspect for the murder, and even if Mackenzie is a mess at this point, she's going to chase down the truth no matter what.
Mackenzie is a teen girl in every sense of the word; emotional, driven by impulse, but also burning with conflicting loyalties and trying to figure out what it means to be brave in a world that punishes women who stand out. This book is pretty heavy-handed at times, but it kind of needs to be to deal with such dark topics like sexual assault that too many people shove under the rug.
The twist at the end seemed a bit obvious to me just given the length of the book, but it was an effective ending all the same.
It's a solid teen thriller that deals with heavy topics that need to be talked about, so do check it out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC of Look What You Did by Kaitlin Reilly in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🤓
Before I get into the review I want to note that there are a couple of triggers that are mentioned in this book:
⚠️ Mentions of sexual assaults of minors, self harm depicted on page, mention of auto accident resulting in the death of a minor, brief mentions of parental death, unaliving peers, underage drinking and drug abuse.
It seems as though I am in the minority of those giving this book a 5 star rating. I rate based on vibes and how the book makes me feel. Just putting that out there!
I am impressed with the writing of this debut author. The thoughts and feelings that are captured in the writing is emotionally captivating and I felt so many things reading this book. Not all will understand why I, as a reader, felt so strongly towards the characters and their stories in this novel and to you who do not "get it" be grateful. I wish I didn't understand and feel their pain on a soul touching level.
About 3/4 of the way through the book I pinned the "who" and the "why" but boy oh boy, I did not see some of the twists leading up to it.
👏🏻 Amazing job to the author for making me feel all this while reading a YA mystery/thriller.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Before I get into the review I want to note that there are a couple of triggers that are mentioned in this book:
⚠️ Mentions of sexual assaults of minors, self harm depicted on page, mention of auto accident resulting in the death of a minor, brief mentions of parental death, unaliving peers, underage drinking and drug abuse.
It seems as though I am in the minority of those giving this book a 5 star rating. I rate based on vibes and how the book makes me feel. Just putting that out there!
I am impressed with the writing of this debut author. The thoughts and feelings that are captured in the writing is emotionally captivating and I felt so many things reading this book. Not all will understand why I, as a reader, felt so strongly towards the characters and their stories in this novel and to you who do not "get it" be grateful. I wish I didn't understand and feel their pain on a soul touching level.
About 3/4 of the way through the book I pinned the "who" and the "why" but boy oh boy, I did not see some of the twists leading up to it.
👏🏻 Amazing job to the author for making me feel all this while reading a YA mystery/thriller.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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