You press send and your message disappears. Full of secrets about your neighbors, it’s meant for your sister. But it doesn’t reach her – it goes to the entire local community WhatsApp group instead.
As rumor spreads like wildfire through the picture-perfect neighborhood, you convince yourself that people will move on, that this will quickly be forgotten. But then you receive the first death threat.
The next day, a woman has been murdered. And what’s even more chilling is that she had the same address as you – 26 Oakpark – but in a different part of town. Did the killer get the wrong house? It won’t be long before you find out…
It Should’ve Been You is a gripping domestic thriller that blends juicy suburban drama, small-town secrets, and the dark side of social media. Twisty and addictive, it reads like a soap opera you can’t stop watching. Beyond the suspense, the story explores small-town gossip, the isolation of new motherhood, and the frightening consequences of digital footprints.
The story follows Susan O’Donnell, an overworked new mom who fires off a gossipy text about her neighbor, meant for her sisters, but accidentally sends it to the entire neighborhood WhatsApp group. Rumors spread like wildfire & threats start rolling in. The next day, a woman whose address mirrors Susan’s is murdered. What unfolds is a tangled web of secrets, lies, affairs, and escalating violence that turns a sleepy suburban enclave into a powder keg. Every chapter peels back another layer, and before you know it, everyone’s hiding something and no one is safe.
With numerous POVs that shift frequently, it’s helpful to note characters’ names and relationships as they appear to avoid confusion. Susan is flawed but fiercely protective, and her impulsive choices make her both relatable and maddening. The emotional core of the story lies in her relationship with her sisters, Greta and Leesa—three siblings as distinct and complex as any real-life family. The cast is full of key players, each harboring secrets and willing to do anything to keep them hidden. Add in marital affairs and a deranged woman determined to avenge her sister’s murder—blaming Susan—and you get a relentlessly unpredictable story that keeps readers turning pages.
From the moment Susan hits “send,” the pacing is relentless and urgent. Short, punchy chapters make the story nearly impossible to put down, and the constantly shifting POVs will keep your head spinning. Some plot threads are less compelling (just like a soap opera), but Susan’s story keeps readers hooked. Be ready to suspend disbelief and question everything you thought you knew by the final page!
Overall, It Should’ve Been You is a must-read for fans of twisty domestic thrillers, multi-POV mysteries, and stories that explore the darker side of suburbia and technology. With so many shifting POVs, the story can feel overwhelming at times, making it a perfect book club or buddy read to unpack all the drama and twists together!
Narrator Performance
Narrator Jessica Regan uses a clear, expressive voice that’s pleasing to listen to, bringing the story to life. Her expert pacing enhances the slow-burn domestic suspense and draws readers into the town’s drama and secrets, giving every scene a cinematic feel. While Regan does a standout job conveying the characters’ emotions, more effort could’ve been put into providing distinct voices as it is sometimes difficult to decipher who was speaking when a POV suddenly shifted. At the same time, there are so many POVs & characters in this book that it would have benefited from the use of multiple narrators for a truly immersive listening experience!
Narrator Performance
Narrator Jessica Regan uses a clear, expressive voice that’s pleasing to listen to, bringing the story to life. Her expert pacing enhances the slow-burn domestic suspense and draws readers into the town’s drama and secrets, giving every scene a cinematic feel. While Regan does a standout job conveying the characters’ emotions, more effort could’ve been put into providing distinct voices as it is sometimes difficult to decipher who was speaking when a POV suddenly shifted. At the same time, there are so many POVs & characters in this book that it would have benefited from the use of multiple narrators for a truly immersive listening experience!
Narrator Jessica Regan uses a clear, expressive voice that’s pleasing to listen to, bringing the story to life. Her expert pacing enhances the slow-burn domestic suspense and draws readers into the town’s drama and secrets, giving every scene a cinematic feel. While Regan does a standout job conveying the characters’ emotions, more effort could’ve been put into providing distinct voices as it is sometimes difficult to decipher who was speaking when a POV suddenly shifted. At the same time, there are so many POVs & characters in this book that it would have benefited from the use of multiple narrators for a truly immersive listening experience!
