Una famiglia quasi felice

No Greater Love #2

by Amanda Prowse

«Nessuno è così bravo a scrivere storie familiari come Amanda Prowse.»
Daily Mail
Kathryn Brooker è la moglie del preside. Mentre suo marito Mark passa le giornate cercando di arginare l’esuberanza di frotte di adolescenti indisciplinati nelle grandi sale dell’edificio scolastico dove lavora, Kathryn prepara focaccine per la partita di cricket del figlio nel cottage all’interno del cortile della scuola. La sera, quando torna a casa, Mark si complimenta con lei e la bacia, mentre i figli li prendono in giro per quelle melense dimostrazioni di affetto. Kathryn Brooker sembra davvero rispondere all’immagine di moglie e madre soddisfatta. Se qualcuno riuscisse a sbirciare attraverso la finestra della loro casa ordinata, vedrebbe quattro figure sedute comodamente intorno al tavolo della cucina a chiacchierare: l’immagine di una famiglia felice, un’oasi di amore e serenità. Quel qualcuno di certo proverebbe invidia per Kathryn e per la sua vita perfetta. Ma si sbaglierebbe di grosso. Kathryn è intrappolata in un incubo. Ed è arrivata a un punto di non ritorno, tanto da essere pronta a compiere un passo che solo una donna veramente disperata sarebbe in grado di fare…
Un'autrice da 1 milione di copie
Numero 1 in Inghilterra
«La storia di questa donna che lotta per ricostruire la sua vita andata in frantumi è appassionante, straziante e superbamente raccontata.»
Closer
«Nessuno è così bravo a scrivere storie familiari come Amanda Prowse.»
Daily Mail
«Un grande romanzo con un personaggio femminile straordinario. Una delle cose migliori che mi sia capitato di leggere da tempo.»

Amanda Prowse

È autrice di numerosi bestseller. Vive a Bristol con il marito e i figli e si dedica alla scrittura a tempo pieno. La Newton Compton l’ha fatta conoscere al pubblico italiano con La figlia perfetta, mentre Una famiglia quasi felice è il suo maggiore successo di vendite e critica.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Roman, Crime, Mystery, Drama, Abuse

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Previous Book: 'Swimming to Lundy', published th August 2024'.

Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.

Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.

Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.

A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.

Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...

Praise for Amanda Prowse:

'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan

'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail

'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!

'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun

'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan

'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat

'Magical' - Now magazine

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know the conclusion, but I feel oddly deflated now I have.

I feel that this had the potential to be great, but it needed to be a third longer to better establish the characters, especially in the latter section, which felt more a hastily tying up of ends to conclude the book, rather than a natural progression to end the story.

[Leila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't decide what genre this book comes under. The author is widely popular in Britain with women and I have watched her on a chat show. She is a bouncy, cheerful attractive lady with deep convictions about the bad things that can happen to women. I feel her books are written for women also. Some might class this book as a 'chick-lit' but I feel it is a little more than that label. It was an easy read, an interesting read and quickly read. It is the sort of book to pack in your suitcase when going on holiday. I felt the relationship between husband and wife to be a bit 'over the top' There were parts of the book where I became bored with the wife's mourning over her children. I was irritated with her pathetic acquiescence with the dreadful treatment she received and wanted to give her a swift kick to get up and DO SOMETHING'...Well, she did do something which is why the book is named 'What Have I Done'

I read this book very quickly over the weekend when for personal reasons i needed an easy read and it did the trick. It is a book for women, a quick read with the main characters to my mind over exaggerated. Why did the wife just sit and weep? Why did nobody ever guess what was going on? These questions and quite a few others did irritate me.'What a wimp' was my thoughts so often through the book. All in all it is a quick and easy read and written for women by an author who is very popular. She does attempt to tackle social problems like the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children, women and issues drugs but don't expect any great depth.

[pdbkwm · Rating 2 out of 5]

What Have I Done? is one of the most frustrating novels I’ve ever read. That doesn’t mean it’s the worse, because there a plenty worse, but it does make this review a bit complicated.

The first chapter of this book starts off well enough; Kate (Kathryn Brooker) just killed her husband and called the cops on herself. From here on out, we learn of the abuse she endured throughout the years and her struggles in and out of prison as a result of her actions. Due to this, the chapters switch from before the killing aka 10 years ago, to after the killing.

Everything before the killing was well written. I gobbled up those pages and really felt for Kate who wasn’t only emotionally and physically abused, but also had her kids manipulated into thinking she was nothing. I’m not a mother, but to see your kids acting like that would hurt no matter what. Her kids walked all over her and her husband enjoyed this. Anything to make her look low to everyone was a source of enjoyment to him. It was sick.

Sadly, everything that happened after the killing is feels so clichéd and out of place. Not only that, but it felt like the writing went downhill either, which is a shame because I did want to see how Kate succeeded in her new life. It wouldn’t be easy, but anything would be better than the life she lived with her husband. Except, the dialogue and the flat one note characters really took its toll on me.

Was this a good book, not really, but whenever I think of it I have strong emotions towards it. Not emotions of hate, but emotions...I can’t really explain it, but this book still makes me remember it, which is usually hard to do.

Why?

It’s because the kids in this book are ridiculous. I get that they were manipulated by their father to think little of their mother, but to go to the extent to write her a letter (while she was in prison) and say, “It would have been easier for me if both of you died.” Makes me want to find this character, hunt them down and send them to Africa to run with the lions. The other kid is no better; every time Kate tries to connect with him he shuts her out. When she decides to give him space he comes barging in and tells her that she’s a horrible mother than abandoned him.

Such self centered kids that turned into such horrible adults really makes me want to slap someone. It’s almost like they expected their mom to continue suffering through the abuse because as long as they were not touched, everything was fine. I would have understood their feelings if this was recent, but the book spans ten years and there’s still no change.

For that reason, this book makes me remember it. I did enjoy the chapters that happened ten years in the past and the ending was fitting, but I still can’t forgive the shoddy dialogue and clichéd nature of this.

What happened to Kate was horrible, how no one noticed I'm not sure especially considering the amount of blood loss that would have occurred, but I’m able to suspend my belief here because this sort of thing has been happening for a long time and she probably got use to hiding everything.

What happens after she kills her husband, it’s just not believable. I get that the author is trying to make Kate seem amazing now that she’s free, but it got to be a little too much. I wanted to see some things expanded more, but it sadly wasn’t.

Such a disappointment this book was.

[Kylie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of this author and again she has presented a powerful story based on domestic violence. Kathryn Brooker to an outsider appears to have it all including a handsome, loving husband. But she feels invisible to her children, her family and everyone around her. The story starts with her confessing to a murder, but what drove her to it?
There are some very good lessons in this book and it demonstrates that there is ability for people to change given the right environment.
I was on the cusp of giving this book 4 stars but the ending was a bit abrupt and unsatisfactory in my opinion. Still a worthwhile read but not a pretty one.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great concept that could have been a real stunner. I would have loved to have seen the author explore the relationship between the mother and her children instead of the rather wishy washy life (and far fetched) after the main event.

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady)]

I can’t keep going with this book. It started out with lots of promise but has slowed to a grinding halt already. I’m not wanting to pick it up so I’m giving up. No rating as not finished.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Prowse is a talented 'chick lit' author; what makes her different from so many other writers in her area is that her stories transcend into other genres. This story features triggers including domestic violence, rape, illicit drug use and suicide to name a few; I'm struggling to think of another author who captures such difficult topics and sensitively weaves them into her novels aimed, predominantly, at female readers.

Kathryn is married to the headmaster of a prestigious private school. Together with their two teenaged children, they live in a beautiful house within its immaculate grounds. On the surface, their home and marriage seems pretty idyllic - but only Kathryn knows the truth about what goes on behind closed doors. While her husband cruelly controls every aspect of her waking life, Kathryn's two children are both embarrassed and fearful of her odd and often erratic behaviour, which is all cleverly masterminded by her abusive spouse.

For the most part I enjoyed this book, the only issue I held with it was the same issue I had with the authors other books. Occasionally the writing feels forced and the conversations between characters feel like a soap opera script; that and a slight over use of exclamation points is something I noticed every now and again. Finally, I felt the books title didn't quite fit into the tone of the story.

I look forward to my next Amanda Prowse read; I understand this novel is part of a series, although they aren't to be read in any particular order.

[Julie Watkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

there were many times I didn't feel I could continue with this novel. it tackles the very difficult topic of domestic abuse. I myself have been a victim of domestic abuse and it did take me can long time to escape from it. being isolated from friends, being ridiculed being beaten. it took me a long time to vocalise what was happening to me. however I'm sure that anyone suffering the level of abuse Kate suffered in this could not have gone unnoticed 6500 deep razor cuts to buttocks and thighs and what seemed like nightly rape and often suffocation. people remarked how changed a person I had become how I disappeared as a person. I cant believe no one noticed the lacerations and blood loss. I found the new life she built to be unbelievable. I think she would more realistically have opened a refuge. I found her children cold often laughing at their mother. more sensationalism in this than any shred of realisim. characters lacked compassion and feelings. Kate herself professed to love her children so much yet never spoke to them or tried to build bridges with them. a deeply flawed book

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued at the beginning and couldn't stop thinking about the story when I wasn't reading it but then it got boring. I also found it far fetched that this woman never got sick, never got an infection, never had issues regarding blood lose. Did she give birth to her children alone in her room? How come no one ever saw her scars during childbirth? Her kids were believable as teenagers but unbelievable as adults with no compassion for their mother. The ending was unsatisfying.

[Janey Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having snatched precious reading moments whenever possible, I finished 'What Have I Done' today and it left a plethora of emotions which Amanda Prowse stirred with her carefully crafted tale.

When Kate's story began, I was shocked at the callous way in which she reported the crime she had apparently cold-heartedly committed. However, as the chapters unfolded, so the painful details of her personal journey were revealed and the reader gained empathy for Kate. Mrs Prowse has been careful to approach the subject of abuse with sensitivity without compromising the raw truth or gritty detail that makes this story so compelling.

I very much look forward to reading more from Amanda Prowse and recommend this novel.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me gripped! At first I wasn't sure I could cope or follow the story as it jumped back & forth between the dates/times, but it flowed really well and gave you glimpses of what happened and an understanding of why.

I wanted to know what was going to happen next, the only time I was dissapointed was the end as I wanted to know what would happen after.

[Imke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very emotional. The physical as well as the emotional abuse were written well (I think, as far as I can tell. Because I have never experienced anything like this before). There were two major plot points I didn’t like. And are the major reasons why I am giving this book a 2.5 star rating.

1. I know children will learn from the things parents do and say but also from the things they don’t do or say. Kathryn was a maid in her own house. But not only to her husband, but to her children as well. They learned to walk all over her, they learned that from their father as well as from their mother. But the thing I don’t agree with is the level of emotional abuse the children display towards their mother. Before their father was killed and after she was convicted of his murder. They punish her for what their father did to their mother and it is never challenged by their mother. In more ways than displayed in this book, she is still very much being abused by her dead husband. She hasn’t evolved from that victim role. And that infuriates me deeply. She never learns to truely stand up for herself.

2. What was the point of the Tanya storyline? I think her character was underdeveloped and needs at least a whole novel of its own. Not a subplot of a story with a shit ending. Who was she? What were here motivations to do the things she did? Why was she basically raped by some asshole who didn’t want those girls to be in his town in the first place? Why was he never properly challenged? What was it about water that fascinated her as well as frightened her? And that ending with her almost drowning herself.....

It infuriates me to think that if those points were left out of the book or were handled differently, I would have given this book a 5 star rating.

[Elke Woll · Rating 3 out of 5]

How believable is the story? Not all that believable, actually.
The story before the killing doesn't ring true - too contradictory the inner monologue of Kate whose insights strength belie her daily suffering.
The story which describes her life after the killing is riddled with clichés about how to deal with young offenders who had bad starts in life. To top it off, the protagonist has more than enough money at her disposal which makes the setup into a dogooder's utopia. When she first hears about this money her immediate thoughts are what this will mean for her children - yet, she uses it to buy and run her home for "unfortunates" (and by the way, the amount spelt out would not pay for the buying and running of such a home, including salaries and upkeep) and not a cent is mentioned that goes towards her son and daughter.

Even if I accept the premise that it takes all the protagonist's strength to protect her children so that no strength is left to escape her torturing husband, it is in fact unbelievable that from morning to dusk she falls into her own trap of seeing perfect children (which they are not) and carving happy family moments out of her suffering. Her adoration for her son and daughter in the years after the killing is equally cloying and so rose-tinted that is neither plausible nor convincing.

And yet, something made me finish the book and not put it aside. I like the interwoven timeline - one learns of the killing right at the beginning, yet the actual deed is only described close to the end. In between the narrative jumps all over the place while creating a probable arc of suspense.

Oh and BTW: What is it with these "Notes for your bookclub?" I found them excrutiating and insulting.

[Gracie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It began with an interesting premise, spanning a decade or more. And Prowse almost gets half a star for being able to describe life with an abuser so well- that gut-sickening tension that JUST. NEVER. STOPS. Credit where credit is due.

However, she then builds this story around a character who is complete and total fluff. I'm not saying it's impossible that a person like this has existed, but I'm saying it doesn't make for a compelling novel. Our main character is just a good person who loves her children and is Being Victimized.

So this dark, strained, atmospheric novel is almost immediately overcome with saccharin, made-for-Hallmark (and/or Lifetime) movie cliches. And it becomes more and more overwrought, and just doesn't let up, to the very last page.

I was actually much more interested in the unfolding of the story that happened on page 1, and I was disappointed in how cardboard our main character had become by the end. This FELT formulaic, but was largely so aimless that even a formula would have been preferable.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with other reviewers in that this book had me hooked from the first page and kept me interested all the way through. I do admit to being more interested in her previous life as the Headmasters wife, even though that was the darker side of the story, her life after prison didn't interest me quite as much, I needed to know the nitty gritty of what had gotten her to where she was.

I found her children's reactions to what she had done difficult to understand, why would they not feel a bit more compassion for her once they knew what she had suffered, and why didn't she fight a bit harder to make them understand? She did seem to give in too easily for my liking, waiting for them to decide if they wanted to see her or not. Sod that, get on a train, bang the door down, make them listen!

I guess the sign of a good read is that it makes you react in some way, so I would this book qualifies.

[Lucratia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure where to begin with my review of this book but I'll try to be as objective as possible.

The book started off very well. The first 3 chapters just sucked you in and made you want to know the exact details...but man, it took forever for the details to start rolling in!! I found myself wanting to throw the book out the window for how scantily it provided details on what actually happened. Then we finally get some details but by then I was already annoyed.

The writing is very good, but annoyingly long winded...I also feel cheated at the ending because I feel like the author could have developed Kate's relationship with her children more. This is besides the fact that I thought both kids were cows...even if they were raised to be self centered and absorbed!!

Nice try though...I give the book a 2.5 stars...I cannot give it anything more!

[Annmarie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling read from start to finish. It's rare for a book to invoke such a range of emotions. Uncomfortable to read at times but gripping nonetheless.
The true horror of Kate's existence is hard to fathom but her need to protect her children at all costs is easy to relate to as a mother. Her children may not always be worthy of her unconditional love but like her, they are victims albeit victims of their privileged upbringing. Certainly raises questions about societal issues but ultimately depicts the sheer strength of the human spirit. Stop the clocks - you won't be able to put this one down!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Het boek heeft me gegrepen en ik kon het niet meer wegleggen. Het is een verhaal wat je gelijk raakt. Het is iets wat bij de buurvrouw, beste vriendin of familie zou kunnen gebeuren en dat maakt het zo echt. Het is iets wat je niet kunt begrijpen en wil begrijpen maar wel de realiteit is, en iets is wat nooit zou mogen gebeuren.
Het is zo geschreven dat het je niet meer los laat en je wilt verder lezen om te weten wat er verder gebeurd en wat er is gebeurd.

[Donna Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly amazing book. I walked every step of the journey with the main character and felt her pain intensely. At first, I couldnt understand why she didnt leave, but then got totally hooked in. As I say, an amazing read!

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback

Quote :“Ik zal alle stukjes verzamelen, die jij hebt weggehakt, verstopt in de laden, onder de mat geveegd en achter kussens geschoven en ik zal mijzelf weer opbouwen. Ik zal al die dingen doen die ik ooit heb willen doen."

-Wordt opgedragen aan elke vrouw, die leeft in de schaduw van de donkere wolk van controle. Je zult geluk vinden, als je de moed hebt je hiervan te bevrijden.-

Het ideale gezin: vader : Mark moeder: Kathryn en twee kinderen: Dominic en Lydia , vader een charismatische man; directeur van een prestigieuze school, moeder huisvrouw en twee kinderen, die het goed doen op school. Het lijkt ideaal maar in werkelijkheid wordt Kathryn mishandelt en vernedert door Mark, die haar elke dag controleert en zodra ze iets; ja wat dan ook, verkeerd doet krijgt ze strafpunten, die ze 's avonds als de kinderen naar bed zijn, gepresenteerd krijgt.

Kathryn past zich aan vooral omdat ze haar kinderen een gelukkige jeugd wil geven maar omdat zij zichzelf niet meer is en alleen maar glimlacht nemen de kinderen haar niet meer serieus, wat gevoed wordt door de sarcastische opmerkingen van hun vader jegens hun moeder.

Op een gegeven moment gaat Mark te ver en dan vermoordt Kathryn haar belager, zij wordt veroordeeld tot vijf jaar en de kinderen gaan naar haar zus. De kinderen zijn geschokt omdat hun ideale jeugd een leugen blijkt te zijn geweest en zij kunnen hun moeder niet meer ontmoeten.

Na vijf jaar komt Kathryn, die zich weer Kate haar originele naam, laat noemen vrij en begint haar leven weer op te bouwen. Alleen want de kinderen kunnen en willen hun moeder niet ontmoeten. Ze bouwt een eigen leven op en vindt geluk in datgene wat ze doet. Totdat er weer een drama in haar leven plaatsvindt waardoor haar fundament wankelt.

Het boek bevat hoofdstukken met als titel: 10 jaar geleden; dat is het verhaal van haar leven voordat ze haar daad pleegde en daarin wordt het langzamerhand duidelijk welke methodes Mark gebruikt om haar volledig onder controle te krijgen. 7 jaar geleden; is de tijd, dat ze in de gevangenis zit en 5 jaar geleden, dan is ze weer vrij en bouwt ze haar leven weer op en het eindigt met vandaag.

Ik vond het een heel beklemmend verhaal. Het had voor mij dan ook wel wat herkenningspunten. Al heb ik mijn bekager nooit terug geslagen of erger. Ik heb hem ook vergeven. Als wedergeboren Christen.

Het einde is voor mijn gevoel wat afgeraffeld: er gebeurt teveel en te snel. Waar de schrijfster in de de rest van het boek gedetailleerd was is ze hier vluchtig en bleef ik een beetje met een kater achter. Dit doet een beetje afbreuk aan het boek.

[Bree Verity · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars upgraded to 4.
Kathryn was... well... wooden. Most of the time. I’m not sure if that’s the way the author wanted her to be, but all I got from the main character was ‘lack of emotion’. Everything seemed to happen to her and not because of her, and she just drifted by, letting it happen.
I would have given the book a good 4 stars, only the main characters actions just before the ending pissed me off so badly I wanted to slap her; and in terms of the writing, there was too much head hopping - jumping from one point of view to another for maybe two paragraphs, then jumping back.
Having said that, the story premise was interesting, the resolution was satisfying and despite the head hopping, it was an enjoyable read.

[Hedvig · Rating 2 out of 5]

magyarul ("Mit vétettem?") Hatalmas csalódás a könyv, ebből az alaphelyzetből sokkal de sokkal jobb könyvet lehetett volna írni :( Fenntartotta az érdeklődést, hogy vajon mi volt az a pont, ahol a hősnőnél elszakadt a cérna, és nem bírta tovább, de ez az egyetlen jó, amit elmondhatok a könyvről. A könyvből úgy tűnik, teljesen felesleges volt a hősnő "áldozata", mivel a gyerekeiből önző, empátiára képtelen szörnyetegek lettek - akik még felnőttként sem látják be, mit kellett az anyjuknak átélnie. A vége "regényszerűen nyálas", ami nem következik az előzményekből, ez végképp elkedvetlenített :(

[Rita Reece · Rating 3 out of 5]

A desperate end to escape a life that she could no longer tolerate; the consequences for her children were far greater than she ever foresaw. The reader is slowly introduced to the state o a couples relationship. An age old dilemma that robs an individual of their identity and a life. Realistic and thought provoking, what should she have done? But shows the extent a parent will shield their children from unpleasant truths.

[Stella Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling and disturbing aren't normally matched with uplifting and tender- until now. Wonderful story of triumph after pain. Can't get enough of Amanda Prowse

[Paula Tierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start but got a little slow and predictable about 1/3 way through

[Trine · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a awesome book. Quiet sad and very thought provoking and made me think about how good my
Life is. I wasn’t to sure as the first one I read In this series was disappointing. I enjoyed this one thoroughly.

[Kayleigh | Welsh Book Fairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: What Have I Done?
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Book 2 of ? of No Greater Love series
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Amanda Prowse
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Contemporary
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 5th February 2013
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3/5

TW: domestic abuse & rape.

"She noticed that new residents fell into two categories: those who raged against the system that had unjustly removed them from a life they loved, taking any opportunity to holler, protest or lash out; and those, like herself, who conducted themselves with a level of serenity that suggested prison might in fact be a refuge from whatever had harmed them on the outside."

Kathryn Brooker has just killed her husband, stabbed him once and then settled into a chair to read a book as he slowly and painfully passes away on their bed with their kids in the next room. She calls 999 after ensuring he's dead, and is brutally honest with the police and the lawyers that handle the case. After serving a total of five years she leaves prison with one thing in mind: she is finally free.

There were plenty of frustrating characters in this book, the main character being one of them. Although her traits are certainly justified by her experiences. The children I really couldn't get my head around, the way the MC didn't stand up to them, and the way they treated her even knowing what their father did to her, they seemed to have an utter lack of compassion, which felt wrong as she had tons of compassion for them.

I really enjoyed the flashbacks to what Kathryn's marriage was like behind closed doors. There were a lot of emotional and physical abusive mechanisms in play and it raptured my interest and investment into Kathryn as a character.

"I will gather up all the little pieces that you have chipped away, hidden in drawers, swept under the carpet and shoved behind cushions and I will rebuild myself. I will become all of the things that I thought I might. All the dreams I considered before you broke me, I will chase them all and you will be but a distant, sad reflection."

I loved the premise of what she made with her life after prison, but unfortunately, I got bored very quickly with it and didn't connect to the females introduced in that part of the story which was a disappointment as I was looking forward to seeing how it would pan out.

Overall, this book was thought provoking, intense, slow, emotive, yet anti climatic.

🧚🏻‍♀️

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[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathyrn Brooker did a truly despicable thing, something that was shocking, and doesn't show any remorse for her actions. But yet as the story evolves going back and forth over a ten year period, you can see how she was driven to her actions and even if you don't agree with her, you can understand her predicament.

Noone can really tells what goes on in a marriage. You can put on a happy front for everyone, but yet have a spine chilling, truly fearful relationship in private. And what happens when you can no longer maintain that pretence, and have finally had enough.

What Kathryn had to put up with during her marriage was truly awful, and I was filled with a hatred myself for her husband. It is a topic that is dealt with in Amanda Prowse's usual sensitive manner, shocking with the truth of the situation, but equally filling you with compassion towards Kathryn.

I found What Have You Done to be enthralling and utterly gripping. I was hooked from the first few paragraphs, and the only reasons I put the book down for short periods of time, was to get my head around what I was reading, and to absorb it fully.

This book shows how you can attempt to rebuild your life, and how you can take a second chance if you are offered one. In the more recent years, her friendships become vital, and the work she is trying to achieve is awe-inspiring.

Kathryn is a truly remarkable lady, and one that displays huge amount of courage in her life. I am saddened by how her children treat her throughout the book, although after the incident, I can understand them a bit more.

Each chapter is just titled by how many years ago the chapter is set in, which gives you a good idea of the passing of time, and just where you are going to next in the story. I didn't find it confusing at all, and was glad of the reminder.

What Have I Done? is a brilliant story that is full of the deep and rich complexities of human life.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like Kathryn has got the perfect life. She's living in a beautiful home, her family is always nearby and she has two wonderful, talented children. Kathryn is friendly and hospitable and she looks happy, but unfortunately that's just an appearance. She's terrified and stressed, but she has to pretend she's a content and happy wife. Until one day she doesn't want to do that any longer. She's had enough and in a few hours time she changes her own destiny. This has consequences though, for her and her family.

Kathryn loves her children, they always come first. That's why she endures, every single day. I wanted to know what happened to her and couldn't stop reading. It takes a while before the truth is being revealed. The story switches between the past and the present. I wanted to know if Kathryn was going to be all right and I also was curious to find out what was so horrible about her past.

What Have I Done? is an impressive story about a brave woman who always puts others first. She's kind and friendly, but she's done something terrible. When I started to read the story I had no idea what to think. I was intrigued and I had so many questions. I loved the way Amanda Prowse is giving the reader information, bit by bit and just enough to keep going. This captivated me and I couldn't stop reading until I finished the entire story. I think she's done a great job creating such a special book and I highly recommend it