The Worst Thing I've Ever Done

by Clare Stephens

A timely debut novel from an exciting new voice in women's fiction about cancel culture and appearance versus reality.

It's an ordinary Tuesday morning when Ruby Williams' name starts trending online.

She's uploaded an interview that has outraged journalist Felicity Cartwright, a social media personality who has built her profile by policing exactly what women are allowed to say and how they're allowed to say it. Ruby is at the centre of a brutal public shaming, watching on in horror as her reputation is torn apart.

At first Ruby thinks she can get on top of it if she can just explain herself better. But she soon realises she'll never be able to placate the tsunami of strangers baying for her blood.

The vitriol pouring in through her phone cracks open a visceral, personal shame from her past that she's refused to face. Because the worst thing Ruby's ever done is not defined by this interview, but by a single, chilling scream.

With skilful empathy, Clare Stephens holds a mirror to online personas versus actual lives, exploring what is truly important in a noise-ridden world competing for our attention.

'As compulsive as any app. Clare Stephens creates a cautionary tale for our times, full of wit and nuance.' JANE HARPER, author of The Dry and Exiles

Genres: Contemporary, Book Club

Audible Audio

Published October 10, 2025

Reviews

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous debut novel!

Ruby Williams works at an online publication and wakes one day to realise her name is trending online (for all the wrong reasons). Soon her phone is filled with vitriol and people tearing apart her reputation. She is forced to face her personal shame, and navigate her long-buried struggles.

This story cleverly explores public shaming, social media pile-ons and outrage culture, while highlighting the discrepancy between online appearances versus reality. This was a quietly observed and nuanced story, very applicable for the time we are currently living through.

I was drawn into this story, despite the frightening relatability, the concerns about our digital footprint, and the perils of working in the media landscape.

4.5 stars (rounded up)

[Emily Michele Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was dark, twisted, sad, traumatic and infuriating in parts.
It was not an enjoyable story
(I don’t think it was meant to be).
But it was a good and fast paced read.
It was insightful and ick at the same time.

Big congrats to Clare on her debut novel.
I knew it would be an engaging page turner and in that aspect it delivered.
It’s always hard to know what you want out of a fictional read. Sometimes I like misery, and reading about miserable people. Cancel culture and online pile ons definitely hits misery.
It’s so anxiety inducing watching it happen every day to the same people over and over again (mostly women).

Reading the high school chapters towards the end was horrible. It’s such a crazy comparison of adulthood vs school bullying which evidently some people don’t grow out of. It’s alarming to spectate online and I hate it here.

Forever blows my mind that grief and trauma can turn some into a person with a huge amount of empathy, integrity, insight, understanding etc or into a an absolute bitter twit dementor of an adult.

Here’s to living a quiet bystander life ahaha 💔

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Allen & Unwin and Atlantic Books for sending us a copy to read and review.
The online and digital world has swept the world like a tsunami and often the debris causes both emotional and physical havoc.
The easy access, the ability to troll and the cruel cancel culture make for a cut throat world.
Keyboard warriors that don’t have the interpersonal skills or courage to say it face to face can destroy their victims.
Ruby Williams is passionate and dedicated to her digital media career.
Articles that cause controversy and inappropriate photos to get clicks, followers and interest create misery as a barrage of hate comments are directed at her.
Tumultuous staff relationships fester in the foreground and the vitriolic campaign among readers create a personal hell for Ruby.
The relief from having no phone illuminates the freedom and sanity restoration.
Everyone has a backstory and harbours shadows from the past.
Ruby has unresolved history that needs reconciliation in addition to her crumbling career.
A fascinating spotlight on an industry we all engage with and utilise.
A great story with characters that are well written.
The intensity, drama and the humanity element catered for an authentic and entertaining read.

[Jacki (Julia Flyte) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is SUCH an unsettling read about cancel culture.

Ruby is an online journalist with “a savant-like ability to predict what an audience would care about, the kind of headlines they’d click on, the posts they’d like”. Her career is flying high. Until she publishes an interview that could have been worded better and it leads to an internet pile on. Public outrage is swift and it is brutal. Ruby’s life is upended.

I could completely feel everything that Ruby was going through. At times it was hard to read because I was completing sharing her outrage, disbelief and despair.

It’s not perfect, there are parts where the pacing is uneven or it feels repetitive, but honestly it is just SO unnerving and thought provoking. The way the shaming keeps ramping up and up. The judgement from people who know nothing about her. Her attempts to address the situation and the way they backfire. Her well meaning family and friends who think she just had to ignore it and it will pass. The way we depersonalise people online. So much to think about. All of it was fascinating.

The author was editor in chief at Mamamia, an Australian media company, and you can tell how familiar with that world she is.

[kaitlyns_library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book dives into the dark side of social media and how people’s opinions can really harm others. This book provides so many perspectives throughout and does a few time jumps to really get the picture. Stephens’ use of language to connect a story further down the track was really well done. I was hooked from the get go and had to take mini breaks because of my emotional response to this book (because it was done so well). I was confused towards the end of this book as to why the story wanted to focus on Ruby’s life a year after Felicity ruined hers online. However, with its progression, it made sense how everything connected.
This book is a reminder that hurt people hurt people and that everyone’s got their own lives and perspectives. Don’t just look at what’s in front of you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: Girl Lit, Social Media Storm, Emotional Ride

- - -
Long time followers will know that a book that gives me all the feels is usually a sure fire 5 star rating. And that’s exactly what Clare Stephen’s debut did. This story had me laughing one page, tearing up the next and reflecting long after I closed the book.

Clare tackles the messy, dangerous side of social media with sharp insight. From public shaming, pile ons, criticism and the way online hate can spiral until it chips away at a person’s sense of self. She doesn’t shy away from heavy themes either weaving in grief, child loss, trauma and the sting of teenage social exile with sensitivity and depth.

Sounds heavy right? But here’s the magic. Clare balances it all with humour, wit and laugh out loud one liners that had me snorting into my coffee. Side note - Chapter 41 deserves its own standing ovation for the description of scroll stopping brilliance.

The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done is as entertaining as it is thought provoking and it left me rethinking the way I scroll, comment and consume online content. For a debut, this is powerful, fresh and unforgettable. I cannot wait to see what Clare does next.

Thanks to Allen and Unwin for the sneak peek ahead of release later this month. I feel very lucky to have read this one early.

[Ellie (What Ellie Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone that has enjoyed listening to her commentary in podcast form, I was excited to see that Clare Stephens had published her first novel.

Drawing on (I expect) her own experiences working in media, Stephens explores the dark side of social media and how the further you climb means the further you have to fall.

Ruby Williams is a senior editor at a feminist media company when one of her articles gets torn apart by a prominent journalist. What follows is a public shaming and deliberate destruction of Ruby’s reputation, where nothing she can say or do is accepted by the court or public opinion.

I’m conflicted in what to say about The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done, because I enjoyed the premise, but the pace of the writing was a little inconsistent. The book is split into three parts, and to be honest the first third of the book was a tad slow. As Ruby tries and fails to repair her reputation, the writing was a bit repetitive and sluggish getting to the point. The mid-point of the book picks up the pace and felt much more compelling and engaging to me; it’s also where we learn a little more about Ruby’s story and background.

The end of the book also threw me a bit, where we jump ahead into the future to understand the lasting impact of Ruby’s ordeal years after her reputation was so damaged.

The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done explores cancel culture in an interesting way, I just wish that the pacing at the start had been a little more gripping. I also struggled to empathise with the main character, Ruby, finding her pretty self-centred and irritating at times. All in all, it just fell a little flat.

I’m certain there will be others who will enjoy this book more than I did and I hope it finds its audience!

3 ⭐️

Thank you to Allen & Unwin for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

After being given a much anticipated arc of this book I really wanted to like it, but it was very heavy on different aspects of journalism and the processes and consequences of internet posts and articles which slowed down my reading and enjoyment. Also, to be honest, I didn't like the main character at all.
I think a lot of fans of the Mamamia group will like it, but this one simply wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Allen & Unwin for the arc for review.

[Fiona Lansdown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t believe I have the honour of being first to review this! I was so keen to read this being a big fan of Clare and her sister Jessie from their podcasts, but wasn’t sure if a book about online bullying, cancellation etc would be that interesting to me. But this was an amazing read. I had the rare luxury of a day off so pretty much read this in one go. Beautifully written, thoughtful, and shows empathy for all the characters.

[Tara McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

LOOOOVED this. Anything set in a sydney newsroom always hits the spot and I love anything that explores online cancel culture. Reading the hate comments kinda made me anxious though even though it was about a fictional character. The only thing I was confused by was the MSN of it all. I don’t think Gen Z did msn

[Alysse Balkwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and took a lot from it! So relatable & nostalgic (hello, MSN!) It was clever, insightful, and encapsulated a lot of my thoughts and feelings about the internet as of late. It feels very relevant and I think everyone should go and read this book. Makes me want to get off my phone for good!

[Maddy]

DNF at 200 pages. Lost interest and felt fatigued with the drama because I used to work in media.

[Nikki Sims-Chilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working on the periphery of journalism (science communication), The Worst Thing I've Ever Done by Clare Stephens was a book that resonated with me. I read through it in just a couple of sittings (it grabbed me from the first page).
The story begins on an ordinary Tuesday morning, but for Ruby Williams, it’s anything but. Her name is suddenly trending online after an interview she’s uploaded sparks the outrage of Felicity Cartwright, a social media personality who thrives on tearing others down. What follows is a brutal public shaming that spirals out of control.
Clare Stephens has done a great job of capturing the complexities of modern life, particularly the intersection of social media, journalism, and public opinion. I found the portrayal of online culture accurate but also scary! The book made me reflect on the role of journalists and influencers in shaping public discourse, as well as the devastating consequences of criticism in the digital age. It’s a timely reminder of how easy it is to judge someone from behind a screen, without knowing the full story.
The narrative also raises important questions about what we value in a world that’s constantly competing for our attention. That said, I did feel the ending left a few threads dangling. While I understand that life doesn’t always wrap up neatly, I would have liked a bit more closure for Ruby’s journey. But perhaps that’s part of the book’s power, it leaves you thinking, questioning, and reflecting.
Overall, The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done is a gripping and thought-provoking read that I’d recommend. It’s a book that will make you think, feel, and maybe even reconsider how you engage with the world online.
Thanks to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to review this debut novel.

[what.karli.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.75/5 stars

𝙰 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚐𝚎.

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚜 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝚖𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚊 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚑𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜; ’𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚜’ 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚖 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚌𝚘𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚏𝚞𝚕, 𝚗𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜, 𝚜𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎’𝚜 𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚕 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚛 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚊 𝚏%$𝚔.

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚏𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚠𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚍𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚞𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚘𝚖 𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚝 𝟹𝚊𝚖 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 ; 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚢𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚖 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚝 𝙸 𝚊𝚖 𝟷𝟶𝟶% 𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚛/𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚜.

𝚂𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done is a sharp look at the perils of social media. Ruby, a senior editor at an online media company, writes an article that’s misinterpreted by a well-known journalist at a rival outlet. What follows is harrowing, as Ruby tries to navigate waves of bullying and negativity.

The story unfolds in both the present and the past, gradually revealing what Ruby is accused of—and showing that there’s far more to her story than just her job. I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpse into the fast-paced world of digital media, and how quickly social media can spiral out of control. It’s a great eye-opener into the industry.

I did find the ending a little strange and unnecessary—it tied up some loose ends but left me feeling like it didn’t quite fit. Still, overall this was a compelling and thought-provoking read.

[Angelena Gatsios · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

An amazing debut novel!

This book explores the world of social media, public shaming, and outrage culture. It highlights the importance of our digital footprint and how dependent society has become on our
phones.

It’s an especially important read in today’s world, where cancel culture and the fear of expressing one’s opinion are increasingly prevalent.

[Catelyn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't had a book make me react so strongly for a while, and boy oh boy did the actions of the people in this book make me mad. that's how you know that Clare did SUCH an excellent job with this book.

I had recommended it to about 3 different people while I was still in the middle of reading it, and after finishing, I absolutely stand by it.

[Marit Gillam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! A timely reminder of the absurdity of cancel culture and the difference between personas build about others online and who someone actually is. Was a little bit shallow at time - eg the whole “I’m going through it in my personal life so be nice”

[Olivia Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel like I was going to have a heart attack for about three hours, but like, in a good way? The Worst Thing I've Ever Done is a propulsive story about a woman who gets brutally canceled, why, and the fallout. It captures everything I hate about online culture and the way the internet has addicted us all to online but ultimately not real versions of ourselves.

[Rob Goodfellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a “Baby Boomer”—born between 1946 and 1964. For me, reading Clare Stephens’ debut novel, 'The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done,' was like listening to the words of a Rolling Stones’ song from the band’s 1969 album, 'Let It Bleed.'

You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find…
You get what you need.

I admit to being confused. Generally. And especially about the “Online World.” The idea that there are even such things as “cancel culture and online outrage” or a “public vs. private self” is, well… disorienting for someone of my age.

What I do know is, like 'You can’t always get what you want,' 'The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done,' is about disillusionment and acceptance, one reflecting the social turbulence of the late 1960s, the other the turbulence of today. And like the song, Clare Stephens’ novel captures a universal truth: what you want doesn’t always align with what you get. This is like the experience of the book’s main character, Ruby Williams, who must face the consequences of an “online mistake,” a “destructive headline,” a “trending post” and then a soul-destroying internet “pile on.”

Gulp!

'The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done' is well written. There’s no question about that. It’s a sharp piece of work. The first paragraph got me in—immediately. And there wasn’t a point where I didn’t want to keep turning the page. But much more than this, to paraphrase Messieurs Jagger and Richards, I think I might have got what I needed out of this book. For me, the story amplified the idea that in life you might not always achieve approval—but… if you try sometimes, well, you just might find… you get what you need: understanding and forgiveness.

Dr Rob Goodfellow.

Ps. At a café today, and who knows how it even came up, I recommended the book to a waiter, a young man at least a third my age. He enthusiastically took down the details (on his iPhone of course) and said he would buy a copy “right after work.” I guess I have “infected” someone. This must mean that the book has already “gone viral.”

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel by Clare Stephens, a digital content creator and former editor of Mammamia, explores what it’s like to be the target for hate and vitriol on social media by people who have no idea who you are. It’s a good depiction of what can happen when an influencer’s condemnation of something goes viral and more and more people jump on the bandwagon to express their anger without even knowing what the issues are.

Stephen’s protagonist, Ruby Williams is a young journalist who has been appointed editor-in-chief for ‘Bared’, a new online magazine with a feminist slant, focussing on issues concerning young women. The magazine is doing well, until one day Ruby publishes an interview that was taken the wrong way by popular influencer, Felicity Cartwright, who brutally attacks her on line both professionally and personally. Her comments start a relentless online avalanche of hate and vitriol, that threatens to destroy Ruby’s career and mental health.

I found Ruby a difficult character to sympathise with, especially as she becomes more and more obsessed with her phone, unable to do anything except read everything posted about her. Her long suffering boyfriend, Jamie seemed gentle and patient with her and I would have liked to see more about how he was coping as Ruby melts down.

I can’t say I totally enjoyed the first half of the novel as the middle section describing the online abuse (comprising around two thirds of the novel) was very repetitive. It just went on too long over the same ground when we had already got the picture that Ruby was drowning in undeserved online abuse. However, as a whole the novel did work better for me once I’d finished it and I learned more about the two central characters, Ruby and Felicity, and their pasts. Written by someone who understands the dark side of the digital world, the novel is certainly very topical and thought provoking in painting a picture of how unjustified online abuse by angry people can destroy a person. 3.5★

With thanks to Allen & Unwin via Netgalley for a copy to read

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the first chapter and well after the final page. I simply cannot stop thinking about this book.

It's an ordinary Tuesday morning when Ruby Williams' name starts trending online. Working in online publishing, she's uploaded an interview which has been taken out of context by another journalist. Thanks to brutal cancel culture, Ruby finds herself at the centre of a brutal public shaming, watching on in horror as her reputation is torn apart. Trying to get ahead of it, Ruby is forced to relive some personal trauma. The worst thing she has ever done, which was not posting a controversial piece on the internet…

I didn't know what to expect going into this and was very surprised by how much I liked it! It was so thought-provoking, especially in a world where we're constantly attached to our phones and people's perspective of us online. I think the real kicker for me was people saying things online that they would never say to their face, and just how shit cancel culture is. I was connected to this story from the get-go and quickly became obsessed with this story, wanting to know what the worst thing Ruby Williams has ever done. The last 30 pages or so got a bit weird and, to be honest, a little bit unnecessary, but all in all, it was such a good book.

Thanks to Allen and Unwin NZ and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this one to review!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uncomfortable but timely look into the danger of social media and the nature of cancel culture.
 
The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done is Stephen’s first novel, and it dives headfirst into Ruby’s story. Ruby is the editor of an online women’s news publication, and on one ordinary Tuesday morning, she finds herself on the wrong side of the news headlines, having uploaded an interview that’s been heavily criticised by another journalist. What then follows is an account of ruby’s life unravelling around her, as she finds herself at the centre of a public pile on. No matter what she does, or how much she tries to clarify her original intentions, the pile on becomes worse and worse…
 
I absolutely tore through this book in just over 24 hours. I simply couldn’t put it down. If you’ve ever been in a situation where your words have been taken out of context, and been given no chance to clarify what you truly meant before the pile-on begins, you’ll have some understanding of what this book is about. Just imagine it on a national scale, and you’ll have some insight into the toll it takes on Ruby and those closest to her.
 
I thought this was a fantastically crafted debut novel, Stephens has taken a timely issue and dissected it with grace and accuracy. The only part I found perhaps didn’t fit as well as it could have was the hospital scene towards the end of the book. Without revealing too much, it seemed a little like it had been shoehorned in there, and I don’t see what it added to the story as a whole. But the rest of it. Wow. I think anyone with any form of social media presence, whether as a creator or a consumer could do with reading this book.

A huge thank you to Allen & Unwin for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.  

[Peonies · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book and was excited to read it, I’ve really enjoyed the podcast that has been put out accompanying it.

Ultimately the book didn’t land for me, the issues explored were not really taken to the depth I had expected. The ‘pile on’ was quite ephemeral, some parts well explored but the writing didn’t really go into depth on either the issues that caused the pile on in enough depth, or the ramifications of it.

I was frustrated by the changes in tense. We jumped around from first person past tense, to first person present, to sections in second person present tense that didn’t really make sense. I feel this should have been corrected during the writing process.

I was confused by the ending. The jump forward to the character giving birth and having a traumatic birth didn’t really have anything to do with the story that had been told, and felt really shoehorned into the concept of the book. I believe the author had a traumatic birth and maybe that is something she should explore in another form of writing, but in a book ostensibly about public shaming it didn’t really make sense or add any closure to the story that had been told.

With that said, it’s an interesting concept and well done to the author on her debut publication.

[Sarah Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Sally Hepworth, Liane Moriarty, and Jane Harper all praise a debut, you know it’s something special. Add my love for Clare Stephens on the @mamamiaaus podcasts, and this one shot straight to the top of my list.

Ruby is not yet thirty, working as an editor at a feminist digital media company. One interview lights the fuse, and suddenly she’s at the centre of an online pile-on led by a ruthless political reporter. The internet swarms. Her reputation shatters. And every attempt to claw it back only makes things worse. But the real weight Ruby carries goes far deeper than one viral moment.

At times, this book is frustrating and uncomfortable, in the best way. I wanted to yell at Ruby to make different choices, even as I understood why she couldn’t. Stephens doesn’t shy away from tough themes either: abortion, domestic violence, and the lingering hold of grief.

A story about phones, outrage, and cancel culture could easily feel heavy-handed. Instead, Stephens captures the zeitgeist with nuance, empathy, and insight. Smart. Unsettling. And uncomfortably relatable.

Thanks Netgalley and Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy.

[Sharondblk · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 stars for the first 85 percent, 2 for the last bit.

I loved the first part of this book. Told in the first person, it was a profound examination of one woman's and all our obsession with our phones, with social media and where internet pile ons and cancellation comes from. The book starts simply and then build layers of meaning, revealing depths and history as it goes. And then it comes to a place of equilibrium, goes "two years later" and gets very random. It changes to a different 1st person narrative, the antagonist in the rest of the book. The characters sound really similar, and while the point might have been to give a different point of view while arguing we are all the same, it just seemed chaotic and unsatisfying. This part could have been a completely separate book, and the change was jarring.
Trying to avoid spoilers, but the baby plot was odd, and not really relevant to anything, unless the whole point of the book was just to say 'touch grass', which can be said in two words.
This was nearly a very good book, it just went haywire near the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Allen and Unwin Publishers for the free eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Clare for a long time (beginning with recaps) and primarily know her for her comedy work - which she nails.

This book is also wonderfully done - it’s at once descriptive yet also tightly edited. I enjoyed wondering which parts of Ruby’s experience at Bared were from Clare’s lived experience as executive editor of Mamamia or works of fiction.

The book also prompts some deep reflection about pile ons. I was thinking back to episodes when various Mamamia journalists have been canceled for missteps and even a lack of action. I am aware that there are some employees that have gossip threads about them. Clare really effectively highlights how that must feel as the person at the bottom of the pile on.

I enjoyed the introduction of Felicity’s perspective - but I also was conflicted by her having a personal connection and vendetta against Ruby. While either way it would have been an issue of perception against Ruby I think maybe some distance may have helped guard against something that veered close to being a caricature.

Well done Clare on a great read that keeps you thinking after

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby is going viral. She is a senior editor for an online media publication and she prides herself on her feminism and socially progressive work. But suddenly everyone online hates her.
This novel offers a new take on something that we deal with more and more. It goes beyond a simple narrative of online bullying or "cancel culture" and takes a more complex look at truth/lies, good/bad, fair/unfair. It takes a nuanced look at the way good intentions can turn and allies can become enemies. It's not that Ruby hasn't done anything wrong or doesn't deserve the hate, but it shows how anything can be taken out of context and anything can be framed to suit a narrative.
The first half of the book builds tension extremely well. It honestly felt like I was following this story online, wanting to click the clickbait and hate-read all the comments as quickly as I could. I was worried the second half would drag, but it introduces more depth to the characters and new perspectives on the issues.
Overall, it was a great read. Well written and page-turny, but with plenty of depth.
4.5 stars!

[Narelle Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby Williams is about to discover that the evil side of social media takes no prisoners - it is just happy to feast on the body - every last morsel. I was both immersed and horrified by this book - it certainly explored quite thoroughly the world we are living in with social media as our god. There was a degree of uncomfortableness generated as Ruby's fall from grace unfolded across the pages - you really could see certain things coming her way and wanted to tell her to step back, away from the phone, and protect herself. I did struggle at times with the past and present aspects trying to make sure I was connecting all the pieces and I'm not sure that I ever really understood Felicity's or Beth's positions, however it was a clever tale with many pertinent observations of the world we currently inhabit. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done is an amazing debut by new author Clare Stephens. I had a hard time putting this book down. It’s an uber contemporary read that couldn’t have come at a better time given our current state of society with cancel culture and social media meltdowns. This book highlights the biggest parts of social media that I despise - cancel culture for the sake of bullying - and I sympathised so much with our main character Ruby as she experiences a terrible bout of online bullying and demonisation after an article of hers goes viral. This story was a perfect insight into just how much online trolls can affect the real - offline - world. I felt so connected to Ruby as a result of the author’s incredible tone and voice throughout, everything felt extremely fleshed out. 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Allen and Unwin for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.