I want to preface by saying I really liked CG Drews's last two books. They spoke to the darker parts of me —the ones I’ve worked hard to leave behind and contain. The way Drews writes anxiety resonates with me.

In Don't Let the Forest In and Hazelthorn, the overwrought prose felt fresh and atmospheric. The plots were refreshing even when reveals were predictable. But this book just didn’t connect with me the same way.

You Did Nothing Wrong features adults, so I hoped for more complexity. Elodie could be a complex character, but her thoughts are only ever intense and dramatic— ruminating, obsessing, looping, and paranoid. We start at 90% intensity, so when it hits 100% it doesn't feel very different. It's intense, but not deep. Being trapped in her head also robs the other characters of their complexity, because we only see them through her worsening anxiety and paranoia.

The setup has starts and stops rather than a steady build of tension — which is disappointing for a haunting story. Around two-thirds of the way in, you can see what's being set up. When the story finally kicks in, it's derivative and not particularly refreshing. By the latter half, the prose began to wear on me because it felt repetitive.

I also felt that Jude, her autistic son, isn't portrayed in a meaningful way, especially once the plot gets going. Jude is barely a person. He ends up feeling like a narrative device, a catalyst for plot. There's an afterword from the author reminding the reader: “If you were once the autistic child — you did nothing wrong.” It's a lovely sentiment, but it feels misplaced given what transpires in the book.

This book ended up feeling derivative of other horror, and ironically, of her own work. — Btw, this book could be triggering due to the cruelty portrayed. Definitely check the content warnings.

SOOOOO unbelievably cute and comforting and unique!!! the 4.5s are prob bc i'm new to manga and was confused at times with transitions. what a genius of an author/artist, to be able to make time and sound come alive and shift in my head solely with spacing, and lines, and words..???? SO COOL