You Did WHAT?

by Tova Leigh

"I was living with a nasty boyfriend who complained I didn't put enough pepper in his egg sandwich. So I dried out some hamster poop and chopped it into tiny pieces. He said it was delicious. Revenge is sweet!"

Have you ever wondered what other people get up to when they think no one's looking? Do you have a mortifying secret of your own you've never dared share? Whatever scandalous incidents lie hidden in your past, don't worry: this wonderful collection of funny, sexy, hair-raising and heart-warming confessions will reassure you that you're by no means alone.

These confessions have all been curated by bestselling author and digital creator Tova Leigh, who explains just why we should stop being ashamed of our secrets, and instead have the courage to make ourselves vulnerable, speak out and connect. In this ultimate page-turner, there are parenting confessions, sex confessions, workplace confessions, revenge confessions ... not forgetting the all-important bodily fluids confessions! You need never feel embarrassed by your own slip-ups and misdemeanours again.

"So I was married for nine years and after the divorce, when I was ready to sleep with other men, I signed up on Tinder. After a few dates I was thinking ... why do I give it for free, when men will pay for it? So I became an escort! I did it for about five months and I must say I had the best time ever ... made a lot of money and met some really nice interesting people."

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2021

About the author

Tova Leigh is a social media influencer, content creator, writer, performer, wife and mother. Tova’s shamelessly, open and honest video rants, articles, and podcast, have resonated with a huge number of women around the world. Tova uses her platforms to support and empower women by giving them a sense of belonging as she doesn’t hold back whilst sharing the raw truth with her uncensored topics that include motherhood, body issues, marriage, sexuality, relationships not forgetting chocolate, wine and of course cake!

With her viral online series 'Mom life crisis', Tova went on a journey to rediscover life after motherhood (yes this does exist). From doing a nude photo shoot, to bungee jumping, pole dancing, changing her appearance and even flying to Nepal to do the Everest base camp trek, Tova documented her journey. The series received an overwhelming response from thousands of women across the world. She is currently taking her raw humour on stage with her live show My Thoughts About Stuff and writing her new book.

Reviews

[Brittany (whatbritreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you to Watkins for sending me an ARC of this book for review!*

As a Gemini who is both extremely nosy and loves being in everybody’s business, most of this book was right up my alley. Tell me all of your terrible secrets. I LOVE it. Mostly. I love the idea of this book in theory, but definitely think it works better as an online project rather than a book you’d read from cover to cover. If you were to pick this one up out of curiosity, it’s probably better as a dip in-and-out kind of book.

If you’re looking to read something non-fiction but you aren;t quite ready to commit to anything too heavy or that requires a lot of thought/processing, this is a great one. It was a super quick read because of the formatting and didn't take me more than two hours or so in total. A lot of it was pretty lighthearted as well so they made me laugh out loud. Some of these confessions are so bizarre and awfully funny I have to admit. Just imagining some of this stuff happening to people is entertaining. There were several with aspects of relatability too which made them even funnier.

I know the point the author was trying to make with these is that it was a safe and non-judgemental space for people to out their biggest secrets but as a reader, it was extremely hard to stay neutral in my feelings to what I was reading. You obviously can’t judge an entire person by a small paragraph of one terrible/embarrassing thing they;ve done but some of this stuff was quite insane. Like while you had the funny stuff, you also had some downright terribly shocking confessions. Some of them were brutal, some of them disgusting, some of them just really sad. I had some trouble connecting with the motives of whoever did these things, some of them were disgusting to read.

It made me feel great about myself morally though, I’ll give it that. If you’re nosy as hell like me or just want to read hundreds of the most insane real life stories you’ll ever read - this is a non-fiction you can probably get on board with.

[Tanja Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you feeling down? Like you are the worst human in the world? Then pick this up and read the confessions from people around the world, who have all done a whole bunch of horrifying stuff. Some of it relatable and some of it quite mind-blowing. It's an easy read, the confessions are short, so you do not need long stretches of time of much concentration for this to cheer you up. I LOVED it!

I have certainly not been the kindest of children, but I must have grown a conscience at some point, because I never really got into the revenge stuff. Like cleaning the toilet bowl with your ex's tooth brush after a break up. Could be because I've been the one breaking up. Hmm. Well anyway, I am no saint regardless and this book cheered me up.

In the style of this book. A few years ago I was a bit plumper than I am now. I had started to age, was around 37 or so, and no longer "the babe". At one point I walked into the mall in a summer dress and heels and people turned to look at me for the first time in a while, some of them smiling. I felt REALLY good about myself. That is, until I seated myself in the car, pulled on the driver's belt and noticed that the buttons in the front of the dress had all popped open so I had been flaunting my ample chest to everybody.

Or the time I was traveling and noticed I had missed my pill and having been 'friendly' with my then-husband just before I left I needed a morning after pill. It was 9.30 pm in Helsinki and I was drunk as a skunk and furious. Having gotten back from the night-open pharmacy I sent a really annoyed text to my husband that could he for F***** sake finally get an appointment to the doctor for that V-section! After about two minutes I realized to my dawning horror that I had sent that text to my boss who just happened to be the last person I had texted with. I guess I should be glad I still have job!

[Katie Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Did What? - Tova Leigh
Everyone has secrets that they may feel like no one would understand, it's never happened to anyone else or just makes them feel alone. This book took those confessions and laid them out for the world to see with the intention of people realizing that they're not the only ones! It covered everything from parenting confessions (I can totally relate) to bodily fluid confessions.
When I was a bit younger and still into reading Cosmo magazines, my favorite part was always the hilarious confessions. This book brought back that feeling and I laughed so hard. And Tova Leigh nailed this. Reading alot of the confessions, I thought, wow, been there, totally get it.
If you need an easy read, that will make you belly laugh, and hopefully feel a little less alone with your secrets, this is it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Thank you so much @netgalley and @tova_leigh for the ARC! Make sure you grab your copy September 14th!

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm…what can I say after reading this book?

1. You people are nasty
2. You people need help
3. You people are nasty (again)

This was a silly, fluffy read. It’s very similar to “PostSecret” but not quite as dark. People wrote in to tell of horrific things they’ve done, things they’ll take to the grave. Some are quite serious, like abortions or affairs. Some - okay, many - are people who used someone’s toothbrush to clean a toilet. People really do that?! Not to mention the spit in the food, the urine in the mouths…gah humans are so gross. However, this was a quick and funny read that should entertain most people. A solid 4/5.

[Diana Lühder · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected to be laughing my a** off, but no… Even tough I was laughing at some stories and confessions, most of them were just very cringeworthy or rude/self centred…

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to pick up when you need something in between reads. It was short and sweet and a great insight into some people’s deepest secrets. It reminded me of Craig’s List Confessionals but more like a sampling of short answers as pulled from the writers Facebook page. People from all over the world have contributed to the make up of this book leading us to see we all have many of the same feelings and experiences. I enjoyed this fun book!

[Evelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and interesting collection of people’s confessions

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bright colourful cover first drew my attention to the book, then the intriguing title of course! Once I read the blurb, I knew I had to read the book!

I’ll be totally honest prior to this book I hadn’t heard of Tova Leigh! (Sorry Tova!) However, since reading this book I have started following her on all her social media too! I also hope to check out some of her other books soon too!
The book is a book of funny stories crossed with confessions of how people have exacted their revenge in a range of incidents. I mean we’ve all had someone be either nasty or irritating and secretly delivering some sort of retribution…haven’t we? I mean I know I have! Be it an ex, a negative boss or someone else that has upset you in some way.

From things like going into a different room to eat the last biscuit in the pack, so you don’t need to share with the children that have been pushing your buttons by squabbling all day….or something you’ve done at work to someone who annoyed you. There are loads of different stories all separated into different sections. There are some really “out there” ones, such as the one described in the blurb where the woman ends up signing up to be an escort to get paid for dating, rather than just dating in the more usual way.
There are items being put in drinks, and a really popular one seems to be using your significant others toothbrush to clean the loo, or their razor for bikini line shaving and then putting it back on the shelf for them to use!

I was already laughing out loud whilst reading the section on “Parenting Confessions” and felt seriously hooked into wanting to read more. Some of the confessions are soooo bad but so very, very, funny!

I’ll be honest after working years in the hair & beauty industry I have heard some revenge tales such as pouring expensive aftershave down the loo, hiding fish or seafood in or behind curtains and furniture. I think that’s what really makes this book funny, the majority of people have either heard some payback stories or if they are totally honest may have retaliated or at least seriously thought of it at some point in their lives.

One piece of advice be prepared for the strange, or inquisitive looks you are sure to get whilst reading this book as you snicker, giggle and belly laugh your way through it.

[Mary Coder · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You Did WHAT ?"was just the emotional release I've been needing as of late. It's definitely good for some belly laughs AND some tear jerks! Confessions from all walks and some could even be called cautionary tales! I even thought of a couple of my own while reading! ( Im betting you will too!) I found each little anecdote funny,interesting, shocking,
sad and easily readable. The collection was well ordered.I would love to see another book like this one in the future. A "You Did WHAT? Vol.2 perhaps? I'd read it! And recommend it, just as I do this one. This book was given complimentary in exchange for my honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.
THANK YOU KINDLY #NetGalley and author Tova Leigh
#YouDidWhat
Available Sept 14th,2021
☆☆☆☆•

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


One of my favourite thing to read in magazines and in other places is confessions. So I was pretty hyped about this book that promised to be full of confessions! From parenting to sex and to revenge and more. I was in!

And I am definitely happy I had the chance to read this one. The parenting one was by far my favourite. I also liked that each chapter had an introduction by the author in which she tells us some of her stories, some of her favourite confessions, and more talk about her show. I really liked those intros. I also liked the fact that the confessions come from all over the world. From my country (the Netherlands) to the US to Israel to Brazil. I also read a few aloud to my husband when they were especially funny and he had quite a laugh too.

Some of the confessions were funny, some were sad/heartbreaking, and some were just gross (like the woman who did anal and pooped A LOT, I don’t need to know that and there were others in the bodily fluid chapter (not my favourite) that were just horribly disgusting).

I did think it was odd that we had a revenge chapter and that in the sex/relationship one we also got revenge confessions. I would have rather seem those appear in the revenge section. Yes, they fit in the relationship/sex one as well, but if you have a special chapter for it, why not add them there?

Sadly, I am deducing 0.5 stars because of the occasional mention of COVID. It is really little, but still too much for me. I read books to escape, I don’t want to read about COVID, AT ALL. Maybe in 5 years, maybe in 10 years (probably even more years). But definitely NOT WHILE WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDST of things. Thanks.

I also feel that confessions should just be short and to the point. 1 page is a bit long but I am OK with it, but there are a few confessions that were 2-4 pages long (and a few even longer) and that is just too long, I started getting distracted while reading them as often it took until the last page before the good part came.

Also, I know you said no judgement, but screw that for people who confessed to having cheating (and some even getting pregnant). F that. I am sorry to say, but I have been cheated on twice in my life and that feeling is just the most terrible thing. Why would you do it to someone you love? Someone you care about? And if it is because your relationship sucks, just break up. This is just no.
Oh and the girl who was having sex without condom because the guy believed she was using birth control. WTF? And then gets pregnant and is now together with the guy. NOPE.

All in all, I did have fun reading this one, yes, there were some parts I wasn’t a fan of, but in overall I enjoyed reading this and I would love more (though no more bodily fluids, thanks)!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll be honest, I really wanted to like this, but I didn’t. I thought the stories would be interesting and outrageous. They weren’t. Some were just boring and others were just not relatable. Not a book for me I guess

[Thomas Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may have heard of Tova Leigh before by reading one of her other books or seen one of her shows or been to her site. Tova started a facebook page to share her dark secrets and she learned she was not alone. When she would post an incident she would find people responding that yes i also did that, said that or felt that way. This led her to set up a live show to talk about her confessionals and read other peoples from around the world with out revealing who they were. Who does not like to hear secrets and who does not feel better getting something of their chest and it is even better when you find out you are not alone. This is a compilation of these confessionals from all over the world some are a couple of sentences while others might be a couple of pages in length. These are broke in to sections one dealing with parenthood, one with bodily functions, the biggest one of course dealing with sex . You will find at times you will laugh, cry, feel mild disgust and sadness for some of these people and more then likely you will find one or many you yourself can relate to. The only thing I was conflicted with on this book is whether it is one that you read a few stories and then comeback to it or read it all the way through ? It is a quick read.

[Michelle L. E. Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, its a little hard to review an anthology of the worst things people have done; the goal was to suspend judgment while reading it, right?! But, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did not read it cover to cover; it was a book best picked up quickly, in the right mood, and frequently. Most of the stories are short, and I totally loved when the author added in her own confessions. What I think I loved most, though, is just the idea that this book exists: people putting their confessions out there, airing out shame, letting go of the idea that they are "the only one who..." (even if some of them quite possibly are!) and just the stories of people who have made only perfect choices, good decisions, and acted responsibly. My embarrassing or shameful stories may not be exactly the same as the ones in You Did WHAT?, but I guess I love that there is an entire book of other examples of people just being people.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not wait to read this book, it sounded brilliant and it lived up to expectations. It is a collection of funny, moving and brilliant confessions that will have you laughing at one and then crying at another. This book had my emotions all over the place. But it is a nice pick me up read that is quite interesting. I've never read a book all about confessions and it was a real eye opener. But you feel as though you are not alone and hopefully this will help people out there to know that. There are always struggles in everyday life and this book confirms that everyone can go through similar things.

[Bee Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever felt bad about something you've done - don't. Someone out there has done something much meaner and/or grosser, and it's probably in this book.

I'm all for (deserved, commensurate) revenge when it's necessary, and the people in this book take gleeful pleasure in it. I did skim a few sections, I'll be honest, but I really enjoyed reading these. They're like the anti-Chicken Soup for the Soul (which I also enjoy very much.)

It's great that people can air these kinds of stories and I hope to read more in future. Illuminating.

[Laura Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be easily summed up as a total giggle. If you ever feel like you're the only one having a bad or tough day reading this book will make you realise you're not alone and give you a laugh at the same time. There are some tuly giggle inducing stories mixed with heartbreaking ones about the realities of life for people all across the world. I really hope there's another one of these as would love some more!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, but good read. I was so excited to read this book because one of my favorite things to read in a magazine are the confessions. So to have a book filled with confessions felt like it was going to be a fun read…and it was! There were a few that I could relate to. There were times when I laughed out loud and times where I cringed.

*Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am definitely getting this book at publishing! It was hilarious, relatable and true stories from people around the world with brutally honest stories to tell. From cringe-worthy to absurd but also hilarious at the same time. Recommended for readers that need a laugh and might by similar to what you are going through, very relatable and quick read.

Thanks to Netgalley, Watkins Publishing and Tova Leigh for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 9/14/21

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. If you liked the Post Secrets books, or read the confessionals on websites like Scary Mommy, this is for you. There are confessions on subjects such as child rearing fails, job fail, relationship fails and a whole lot of poop stories to make you cringe and think "I'm glad that didn't happen to me!"

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows people from all sorts of places are more alike than different

I really enjoyed the honesty of all these confessions. Some hilarious, or embarrassing. A few that were heart rendingly sad, but totally honest. I appreciate the mostly women (I'm guessing there) who were willing to let their vulnerability and foibles show for all the world to see. I'm sure many of us will recognize we've encountered similar situations. I highly recommend this book

[Kimberly]

This book was a bit much for me. The humorous and relatable secrets involving parenthood are few and far between. Instead, these are mostly secrets of a sexual nature and I had to stop reading because I just found it too repugnant. I was floored people can even come up with some of these things, let alone admit to them.

[Reader Rob B · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should be named “You Read What”? as in why did I endure reading this entire journal of debauchery. If you like books about poop and body fluid, people using their partner’s toothbrush to clean the toilet, and stories that begin with “After a night of heavy drinking…” you will love this compilation of disturbing stories. I am really not sure what possessed me to finish this five alarm train wreck.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a funny, quick read, I wish I had gotten the audio version because I can only imagine how much funnier it would have been hearing the stories instead of reading them. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a laugh!

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but it needed editing. 98 pages of people admitting to cheating on their spouses was way too many; so much so that it wasn't funny anymore.

I received a free print copy from the publisher.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious and relatable. I am in awe of the people who chose to share their confessions and I commend Tova for putting this collection together to reach a larger audience. In the end, we are all human and it’s a reminder that we are not alone.

[Birgit Jokela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought this would make a good background noise for while I sort out my closet. It started out OK but then got really pointless and repetitive, so I didn't finish it, it's not good gossip, it's just too negative and dull.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading book, some shocking confessions, some hilarious! A book with something for everyone I would say.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was provided to me compliments of #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Tova Leigh has quite the collection of hilarious stories. It was a laugh out loud, enjoyable read overall.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great for a giggle. I had lots of quality laughs. It also felt very therapeutic and bonding to hear that other people also secretly do lots of embarrassing stuff.

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Tova, but this collection fell a little flat and a lot of the included stories were not all that shocking or different.