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A review by davinareads
You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
You Know What You Did is a thriller that offers strong writing, but the plot falls on the milder side. While it didn't deliver the intensity I usually crave in a thriller, there were still plenty of reasons to keep turning the pages.
One thing I really appreciated was the dynamic between Annie and her mother. It felt real and layered, which added depth to the story. From fleeing Vietnam and starting with nothing in the US, her mother's actions made sense and the effect they had on Annie was captured effectively. Although the plot wasn't a heart-pounding rollercoaster, I devoured the book in less than a day—it was just that easy to read. And the unexpected moments of gore? They were so well done, I physically squirmed. That said, if you're sensitive to certain triggers, be prepared because some scenes definitely go there.
As for Annie, she’s the kind of character that takes a while to warm up to. I’m never a fan when the main character starts out so unlikable, but by the end, she grew on me. My biggest frustration, though, was how disconnected Annie’s daughter seemed from their cultural roots. I get that this was part of her character arc, but the way she came off so aggressively ungrateful made her hard to root for. It felt like her westernization was overplayed, which left me wanting more balance.
The pacing also could've been tighter. At times, I felt like the book dragged, especially with some repetitive sections that didn’t add much. A bit of trimming could have made the story leaner and sharper, without losing any of its impact. The jumping between timelines—past, present, and future—was interesting in theory, but in practice, it felt disorienting. I had to recalibrate more often than I wanted, which pulled me out of the flow.
In short, You Know What You Did may not have delivered the high-stakes thriller I was hoping for, but it's still a solid read if you're in the mood for something with well-developed relationships and some dark, squirm-inducing moments.
One thing I really appreciated was the dynamic between Annie and her mother. It felt real and layered, which added depth to the story. From fleeing Vietnam and starting with nothing in the US, her mother's actions made sense and the effect they had on Annie was captured effectively. Although the plot wasn't a heart-pounding rollercoaster, I devoured the book in less than a day—it was just that easy to read. And the unexpected moments of gore? They were so well done, I physically squirmed. That said, if you're sensitive to certain triggers, be prepared because some scenes definitely go there.
As for Annie, she’s the kind of character that takes a while to warm up to. I’m never a fan when the main character starts out so unlikable, but by the end, she grew on me. My biggest frustration, though, was how disconnected Annie’s daughter seemed from their cultural roots. I get that this was part of her character arc, but the way she came off so aggressively ungrateful made her hard to root for. It felt like her westernization was overplayed, which left me wanting more balance.
The pacing also could've been tighter. At times, I felt like the book dragged, especially with some repetitive sections that didn’t add much. A bit of trimming could have made the story leaner and sharper, without losing any of its impact. The jumping between timelines—past, present, and future—was interesting in theory, but in practice, it felt disorienting. I had to recalibrate more often than I wanted, which pulled me out of the flow.
In short, You Know What You Did may not have delivered the high-stakes thriller I was hoping for, but it's still a solid read if you're in the mood for something with well-developed relationships and some dark, squirm-inducing moments.