A haunting and beautiful YA novel that is perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Jessi Kirby, These Things I’ve Done is the story of a seventeen-year-old girl who accidentally caused her best friend’s death and, a year later, is still grappling with the consequences.“A beautiful, wrenching depiction of loss, the aftermath, and an unexpected ray of light in the darkness. These Things I’ve Done … the darkness. These Things I’ve Done is equal parts heartfelt and heartbreaking, and absolutely unputdownable.” —Gina Ciocca, author of Last Year’s Mistake
“These Things I’ve Done is a raw and beautiful story about recovering and moving on in the aftermath of a tragedy, about the moments when self-forgiveness and peace feel unattainable. Dara’s journey through this struggle is compelling and deeply affecting. Her story will stay with readers long after the last page.” —Charlotte Huang, author of For the Record and Going Geek
BEFORE: Dara and Aubrey have been inseparable since they became best friends in sixth grade. Dara is the fearless one, Aubrey the prodigy, yet despite their differences, they support each other unconditionally. However, as they begin their sophomore year of high school, cracks in their friendship begin to form, testing the bond they always thought was unbreakable.
AFTER: It’s been fifteen months since the accident that killed Aubrey, and not a day goes by that Dara isn’t racked with guilt over her role in her best friend’s death. Now, after spending a year away from home in order to escape the constant reminders of what happened, Dara is back at her old high school to start her senior year. Dara thought the worst thing about coming home would be confronting the memories of Aubrey that relentlessly haunt her, but she soon realizes it isn’t half as difficult as seeing Ethan, Aubrey’s brother, every day. Not just because he’s a walking reminder of what she did, but because the more her feelings for him change, the more she knows she’s betraying her best friend one final time.
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While this was a super emotional and difficult read, it was also one of the most amazing YA novels I’ve read in awhile. Covering mistakes that you can’t take back, accidents with horrible consequences, and complicated relationships, this book will really make you look inside yourself to see how you would handle the things that Dara had to handle.
While it’s very secondary to the main idea and point of the story, I’m also a sucker for best friend’s brother romances… This book has a bit of that as well, though not in the normal way you see in that kind of story. It’s a very complicated situation and it’s messy, but you can tell that it will be worth it in the end.
Because the subject matter of the book is so sensitive, I do recommend reading the blurb so you know what you’re going into. But I also recommend reading the book, I think it was written beautifully and can really touch lives.
Rebecca Phillips is one of my favourite YA/NA authors. I have not trouble getting lost in this author’s world I loved this story: it made me laugh, and then it made me sob. Grief and guilt are things we all endure in our own lives. I recommend this YA, bordering on the NA, to all of my friends. Phillips is a spectacular writer with a lot of emotional insight. I usually pull all-nighters with her new books, they are that goo! Can[t wait for her next book!
Here is my full review that I posted on my review site:
I was so very touched as I read this story. Accidents happen, but Dara cannot forgive herself for her role in the incident that claimed the life of her best friend, Aubrey.
Dara used to be a popular, fun-loving daredevil – well-liked by everyone. But after the accident, she became a social pariah and a “statue” – fearful of touching or doing anything that might hurt those around her. Her parents send her to live with her aunt for a year, but Dara’s guilt won’t let her hide away from reality anymore. She returns to her small town to face the condemnation and judgment that she feels she deserves. Aubrey is dead: she, Dara, should not get off so easily. Dara, Aubrey and Ethan (Aubrey’s younger brother) used to be best friends. She can’t imagine that Ethan will ever forgive her for the accident that caused his sister’s horrible death, but Ethan has grown up in the year and a half that she has been away, and his feelings are not what she expected them to be.
Dara’s feelings of guilt and isolation are heartbreaking and vividly portrayed. From start to finish, I was so anxious to find out how this story would end – (you won’t be disappointed!) This book touched all of my feelings – there were even a few laughs, and the relationship between Dara and her little brother was just adorable. Bad things happen to everyone. This was Dara’s story, and how the people who loved her and were truly there for her helped her find her way back to self-acceptance and a bit of peace. I’d give this an 8 out of 5, if the system would let me!