What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lying Game #0.5
The First Lie
Featuring Sutton Mercer before her tragic death, this stand-alone digital original novella from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard is an exciting, must-read companion to the Lying Game series.
Back when she was alive, Sutton kept a million secrets. But how she got together with Thayer is her juiciest one of all...
It's the summer before junior year and Sutton Mercer and her friends rule Hollier High. Then Thayer Vega returns home from soccer camp. In two short months he's gone from being her best friend's scrawny younger brother to a hot soccer god with a major ego—and a bone to pick with the Lying Game girls.
To bring him back down to earth, Sutton's friends convince her to string Thayer along so she can publicly reject him. But as she gets to know the real Thayer, Sutton starts to wonder: Is flirting with Thayer still just a game to her? Or is the queen of the Lying Game lying... to herself?
Back when she was alive, Sutton kept a million secrets. But how she got together with Thayer is her juiciest one of all...
It's the summer before junior year and Sutton Mercer and her friends rule Hollier High. Then Thayer Vega returns home from soccer camp. In two short months he's gone from being her best friend's scrawny younger brother to a hot soccer god with a major ego—and a bone to pick with the Lying Game girls.
To bring him back down to earth, Sutton's friends convince her to string Thayer along so she can publicly reject him. But as she gets to know the real Thayer, Sutton starts to wonder: Is flirting with Thayer still just a game to her? Or is the queen of the Lying Game lying... to herself?
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2012
158 people are currently reading
8133 people want to read
About the author
Sara Shepard
128 books14.7k followersSara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She has lived in New York City, Brooklyn, Tucson, Arizona, Philadelphia, and now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
April 3, 2016
Eh...An unnecessary addition, as all this was sort of explained in the 1st two books.
Unique view from Sutton's.
But still no explanation of why the hell the parents decided to name their kid Sutton.
.....SUTTON
Oh, and don't forget Thayer.
Thayer???
Parents must hate them.
Just...for the time and place that the books take place in, it was just like Shepard was reaching for some pizzaz when there really wasn't any.
I mean, I've lived in Vegas and names were more tame than those. Even the STRIPPER names were more sensible than those.
Seriously.
Unique view from Sutton's.
But still no explanation of why the hell the parents decided to name their kid Sutton.
.....SUTTON
Oh, and don't forget Thayer.
Thayer???
Parents must hate them.
Just...for the time and place that the books take place in, it was just like Shepard was reaching for some pizzaz when there really wasn't any.
I mean, I've lived in Vegas and names were more tame than those. Even the STRIPPER names were more sensible than those.
Seriously.
June 21, 2016
Okay so I remember the movie Mean Girls from this novella and all the Miss Popularity-ranking, prank-ing, backstabbing, flirting and all lies that all flourish in high school and this concept has been used over and over again since no doubt, it's realistic BUT like what I felt after watching the movie and teasing the girls when they finally learned their lessons, I'm still amused by The Lying Game and how it all started.
I'm even as eager everytime I watch Pretty Little Liars to find out their secrets and what's really to believe from The Lying Game queenbees Sutton, Madeline and Charlotte behind their long list of lies now - of course, I'm never agreeing with their games and what not just to be famous! But since I found this yet another amusing flick, lo and behold as their games begin!
But wait, how can I forget Thayer?!
My casting:
I'm even as eager everytime I watch Pretty Little Liars to find out their secrets and what's really to believe from The Lying Game queenbees Sutton, Madeline and Charlotte behind their long list of lies now - of course, I'm never agreeing with their games and what not just to be famous! But since I found this yet another amusing flick, lo and behold as their games begin!
But wait, how can I forget Thayer?!
My casting:
March 17, 2013
Even though this is only a very short novella I knew I had to have it. Sutton although sometimes a complete bitch of a character has always intrigued me and I have embraced her from the start. I couldn't wait to get more insight into the type of character Sutton was before she was murdered. This was a great little novella but it doesn't really add much to the overall series at all. I was hoping for some hidden clues about who killed Sutton but there wasn't any. Guess I will just have to continue on with the rest of the series very soon.
Sutton is queen bee not only of her group but her school. Her and her two best friends have their own clique with their own little game, The Lying Game. Every year they pull pranks on those that they feel are beneath them or need reminding of where their place is. The pranks are always nasty and sometimes even slightly illegal. They set their sights on Thayer a guy who went away to soccer camp a scrawny kid and returned a muscled hunk with an ego. The plan is for Sutton to make him fall in love with her and then destroy and humiliate him. The prank should be easy especially by their standards but Sutton's sister Laurel has has a crush on Thayer forever and now that Sutton is spending more time with him she is falling for him a little as well.
Sutton is queen bee not only of her group but her school. Her and her two best friends have their own clique with their own little game, The Lying Game. Every year they pull pranks on those that they feel are beneath them or need reminding of where their place is. The pranks are always nasty and sometimes even slightly illegal. They set their sights on Thayer a guy who went away to soccer camp a scrawny kid and returned a muscled hunk with an ego. The plan is for Sutton to make him fall in love with her and then destroy and humiliate him. The prank should be easy especially by their standards but Sutton's sister Laurel has has a crush on Thayer forever and now that Sutton is spending more time with him she is falling for him a little as well.
September 27, 2015
Amazing novella from my favourite series.
Beautifully written and a great insight into what Suttons life and her relationship with Thayer was like before everything went down!
Loved it, and totally recommend if you're a fan of the series!
Beautifully written and a great insight into what Suttons life and her relationship with Thayer was like before everything went down!
Loved it, and totally recommend if you're a fan of the series!
August 12, 2016
I liked this book but it wasn't something special. The story was fun the read but the spoiled behaviour of Sutton annoyed me so hard. What they did to Thayer was unbelievable and so mean and I don't understand how he forgave Sutton that fast. Yet I'm really curious for the first book in this series.
December 23, 2012
Oh,Thayer,Thayer. What you do to me... When he pulled the chair Sutton was sitting on... *fans herself* This boy if just amazing.
Sutton started out as a bitch but somewhere along the way she finally started to show her feelings to Thayer and they connected.
Hope we find out she isn't dead so they can be together again though he has great chemistry with Emma.
Fingers crossed Ethan ends up as the bad guy.
Sutton started out as a bitch but somewhere along the way she finally started to show her feelings to Thayer and they connected.
Hope we find out she isn't dead so they can be together again though he has great chemistry with Emma.
Fingers crossed Ethan ends up as the bad guy.
October 26, 2023
Honestly, I feel like this doesn't need to exist.
July 31, 2014
it was boring ...
September 4, 2019
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Get it together, Sutton, I tell myself, and I straighten up. Boys fall over me, not the other way around.
— i.
On the third hand—and as long as Thayer’s got his shirt off, I decide to give myself as many hands for this argument as I need—Thayer’s out there. Just begging to fall head over heels for me. It’s like fate has handed me an early Christmas present, wrapped in a bright, shiny bow.
Game on.
I have two novellas to review, and I decided it's kind of pointless to review them on my book blog because they're both super short. If you don't know me, Sara Shepard is one of my favourite authors of all time, if not, the one. I read The Lying Game series eons ago, but I never read the accompanying novellas (both take place before the series). So back in January, I read them both in one sitting. This was the first one, and it takes place at the end of the summer/the beginning of Sutton's junior year in high school. It revolves around how she got together with Thayer, and why they decided to keep their relationship a secret from everyone else. And wow, I loved it so much. It's adorable, especially with the contemporary teenage first love romance (Thayer has pretty much only ever liked Sutton, and this is the first person that Sutton truly fell for).
— ii.
“Well, real or not, it’s how I feel,” I say. “Maybe it’s just my paranoia about being adopted getting the best of me. But Thayer, it’s why I’m so afraid of losing my friends. That’s all I was worried about, that’s why I didn’t stop the prank and why I didn’t tell the truth when they caught us. I didn’t want them laughing at me. But then I realized how stupid that was. Like, unbelievably stupid. I should get to decide who I like.” I swallow hard, then raise my eyes to his. “And I like you.”
The twist to their love story is that it initially starts out as a dare/bet from Sutton's friends, especially since Thayer is one of her friends' (Mads) younger brother. And "bet-turned-into-real-feelings" trope is such a cute trope, especially when it's a simple teenage romance. Sutton battling what her friends want her to do vs. her actual feelings was fun to read, because Thayer was right, there were like two different Suttons. The real Sutton, the one that spends time with him, and the image she keeps up to maintain queen bee/popularity status. Which, in the book series, is something her sister Emma struggles with as she has to pretend to be Sutton.
— iii.
“You don’t have to forgive me or like me back. I understand if you want someone who’s always been good to you, like Laurel. But I thought I’d let you know how I really felt. You asked me if I’ve ever been honest a day in my life, and with you, I do feel honest. And I’m telling you something honest now.”
There's not much else to say, given it's like an 80 page novella. Overall, it was cute, and it was nice to get into Sutton's head while she's alive (this isn't a spoiler, literally the entire series revolves around her death because it happens before page one). It made me feel really sad for Thayer (and Sutton too, obviously), but at least they had a precious year together. If you read the series, I'd recommend only reading this novella (actually both of them) after you finish, because I think that's how you'd make the most of it.
-
Having a secret boyfriend could actually be kind of hot. Of course, it’ll just be another secret to keep, another lie to tell.
I have a feeling it will be the first of many. But if it means being with Thayer, they’ll all be worth it.
Get it together, Sutton, I tell myself, and I straighten up. Boys fall over me, not the other way around.
— i.
On the third hand—and as long as Thayer’s got his shirt off, I decide to give myself as many hands for this argument as I need—Thayer’s out there. Just begging to fall head over heels for me. It’s like fate has handed me an early Christmas present, wrapped in a bright, shiny bow.
Game on.
I have two novellas to review, and I decided it's kind of pointless to review them on my book blog because they're both super short. If you don't know me, Sara Shepard is one of my favourite authors of all time, if not, the one. I read The Lying Game series eons ago, but I never read the accompanying novellas (both take place before the series). So back in January, I read them both in one sitting. This was the first one, and it takes place at the end of the summer/the beginning of Sutton's junior year in high school. It revolves around how she got together with Thayer, and why they decided to keep their relationship a secret from everyone else. And wow, I loved it so much. It's adorable, especially with the contemporary teenage first love romance (Thayer has pretty much only ever liked Sutton, and this is the first person that Sutton truly fell for).
— ii.
“Well, real or not, it’s how I feel,” I say. “Maybe it’s just my paranoia about being adopted getting the best of me. But Thayer, it’s why I’m so afraid of losing my friends. That’s all I was worried about, that’s why I didn’t stop the prank and why I didn’t tell the truth when they caught us. I didn’t want them laughing at me. But then I realized how stupid that was. Like, unbelievably stupid. I should get to decide who I like.” I swallow hard, then raise my eyes to his. “And I like you.”
The twist to their love story is that it initially starts out as a dare/bet from Sutton's friends, especially since Thayer is one of her friends' (Mads) younger brother. And "bet-turned-into-real-feelings" trope is such a cute trope, especially when it's a simple teenage romance. Sutton battling what her friends want her to do vs. her actual feelings was fun to read, because Thayer was right, there were like two different Suttons. The real Sutton, the one that spends time with him, and the image she keeps up to maintain queen bee/popularity status. Which, in the book series, is something her sister Emma struggles with as she has to pretend to be Sutton.
— iii.
“You don’t have to forgive me or like me back. I understand if you want someone who’s always been good to you, like Laurel. But I thought I’d let you know how I really felt. You asked me if I’ve ever been honest a day in my life, and with you, I do feel honest. And I’m telling you something honest now.”
There's not much else to say, given it's like an 80 page novella. Overall, it was cute, and it was nice to get into Sutton's head while she's alive (this isn't a spoiler, literally the entire series revolves around her death because it happens before page one). It made me feel really sad for Thayer (and Sutton too, obviously), but at least they had a precious year together. If you read the series, I'd recommend only reading this novella (actually both of them) after you finish, because I think that's how you'd make the most of it.
-
Having a secret boyfriend could actually be kind of hot. Of course, it’ll just be another secret to keep, another lie to tell.
I have a feeling it will be the first of many. But if it means being with Thayer, they’ll all be worth it.
February 16, 2021
4 / 5 stars
So Sutton and Thayer... I'm going DOWN with this ship. I enjoyed this prequel so much. I knew I'd like this with Sutton being my favorite character, but I didn't expect to love Sutton and Thayer's relationship as much as I did. The prank was lame and very childish, but this is a teen-drama centric series so I'm not mad about it. Honestly I like reading about Sutton living her own life vs reading about Emma living Sutton's life in the rest of the series. They are both two intriguing and complex characters. What I wouldn't give for them to have ONE scene together :( I wish they could meet so badly, I'm craving that dynamic.
So Sutton and Thayer... I'm going DOWN with this ship. I enjoyed this prequel so much. I knew I'd like this with Sutton being my favorite character, but I didn't expect to love Sutton and Thayer's relationship as much as I did. The prank was lame and very childish, but this is a teen-drama centric series so I'm not mad about it. Honestly I like reading about Sutton living her own life vs reading about Emma living Sutton's life in the rest of the series. They are both two intriguing and complex characters. What I wouldn't give for them to have ONE scene together :( I wish they could meet so badly, I'm craving that dynamic.
August 7, 2018
THE FIRST LIE.
En lo personal , si ers fan de la saga gustaría mucho leer esta historia. Debido a que el principio Sutton muere nunca la llegamos a conocer totalmente, pero en este libro es narrada por Sutton, antes de morir. Sinceramente no es la mejor historia corta que he leído pero es buena
Me encanta que podamos conocer cómo comenzó la relación con ❤️Thayer, y nos permite conocer a Sutton antes de todo.
En lo personal , si ers fan de la saga gustaría mucho leer esta historia. Debido a que el principio Sutton muere nunca la llegamos a conocer totalmente, pero en este libro es narrada por Sutton, antes de morir. Sinceramente no es la mejor historia corta que he leído pero es buena
Me encanta que podamos conocer cómo comenzó la relación con ❤️Thayer, y nos permite conocer a Sutton antes de todo.
July 8, 2022
This makes me want to cry. Not because something sad happened but because the more I read about Sutton and Thayer the more I believe that she truly loved him. That he truly could have been the guy for her but then someone *cough cough* went and killed her destroying something that could've been so much more!!!! So most likely after these reads I'll go looking for some fanfic on them.
January 6, 2018
This story was okay. It's been ages since I read the books so it took me a minute to remember who everyone was. I liked getting into Sutton's head. I sort of understand her a bit better now, but I still don't like her that much. Also, why is this called "the first lie" when it's clearly not their first?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2023
No es un libro necesario para la serie pero sí es interesante porque podemos conocer la Sutton de antes y entender su manera de pensar y actuar. Lo he disfrutado, es muy cortito y para mi me pareció ideal para probar si me va a gustar o no la narrativa de la serie.
December 30, 2022
Being in Sutton’s head? Kinda a great time
February 14, 2022
Fajny dodatek do całej serii.
March 18, 2013
I don’t normally read novellas – for some reason, I’m not a big fan – but I do like this series, so I thought it would be worth a try. SPOILER ALERT for the main series – you’ve been warned!
Here is the Kobo store’s summary:
This book is set before the events of the rest of the Lying Game series, but you should read the main series first.
What I really liked about this was getting to see a whole story – even if it’s a short one – entirely from Sutton’s perspective. So much of the Lying Game series is about Sutton and her actions being dealt with by Emma following Sutton’s murder, and I’m always curious to learn more about her. This book did a good job of demonstrating that some of Sutton’s actions are fueled by her insecurity about being second best in the eyes of her adopted family, or abandoned by her birth mother.
The book also shows us the beginning of her relationship with Thayer, who I liked learning more about, and sheds some light on other pranks pulled by the Lying Game club: Sutton, Charlotte, and Madeline. It was really neat to see the way Sutton interacted with, or even thought about, people like Laurel, the Twitter Twins, Ethan, and Nisha, compared to the way Emma-as-Sutton does.
Overall, this was a really quick read that was a fun look inside Sutton’s life, but it didn’t seem to hint at the mystery of who killed her and why, which was a bit of a bummer. If you’re a fan of the whole series, I would recommend picking this up.
(From www.pingwings.ca)
Here is the Kobo store’s summary:
Featuring Sutton Mercer before her tragic death, this stand-alone digital original novella from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard is an exciting, must-read companion to the Lying Game series.
Back when she was alive, Sutton kept a million secrets. But how she got together with Thayer is her juiciest one of all. . . .
It’s the summer before junior year and Sutton Mercer and her friends rule Hollier High. Then Thayer Vega returns home from soccer camp. In two short months he’s gone from being her best friend’s scrawny younger brother to a hot soccer god with a major ego—and a bone to pick with the Lying Game girls.
To bring him back down to earth, Sutton’s friends convince her to string Thayer along so she can publicly reject him. But as she gets to know the real Thayer, Sutton starts to wonder: Is flirting with Thayer still just a game to her? Or is the queen of the Lying Game lying . . . to herself?
This book is set before the events of the rest of the Lying Game series, but you should read the main series first.
What I really liked about this was getting to see a whole story – even if it’s a short one – entirely from Sutton’s perspective. So much of the Lying Game series is about Sutton and her actions being dealt with by Emma following Sutton’s murder, and I’m always curious to learn more about her. This book did a good job of demonstrating that some of Sutton’s actions are fueled by her insecurity about being second best in the eyes of her adopted family, or abandoned by her birth mother.
The book also shows us the beginning of her relationship with Thayer, who I liked learning more about, and sheds some light on other pranks pulled by the Lying Game club: Sutton, Charlotte, and Madeline. It was really neat to see the way Sutton interacted with, or even thought about, people like Laurel, the Twitter Twins, Ethan, and Nisha, compared to the way Emma-as-Sutton does.
Overall, this was a really quick read that was a fun look inside Sutton’s life, but it didn’t seem to hint at the mystery of who killed her and why, which was a bit of a bummer. If you’re a fan of the whole series, I would recommend picking this up.
(From www.pingwings.ca)
December 19, 2012
This was a novella, not an actual story. And because Sutton is still alive, there's no Emma in this story. It was interesting to see Sutton as a person (as opposed to as a ghost or to see Emma pretending to be Sutton).
I have been enjoying this series and this novella helps. It's good to get to see how Sutton really was, and I think she was a lot more sympathetic than she's been so far in the brief flashbacks we've seen in The Lying Game. (I think it's also safe to say that The Lying Game is really Emma's story, so it's good to see a bit of Sutton.)
Recommended---and if you haven't read the series before, this works as a good introduction.
I have been enjoying this series and this novella helps. It's good to get to see how Sutton really was, and I think she was a lot more sympathetic than she's been so far in the brief flashbacks we've seen in The Lying Game. (I think it's also safe to say that The Lying Game is really Emma's story, so it's good to see a bit of Sutton.)
Recommended---and if you haven't read the series before, this works as a good introduction.
January 6, 2013
this ebook was amazing! it allowed us to see more of Sutton which i really liked..but it makes me mad how she onlys cares about herself. another thing was that it was wayyy too SHORT when i finished it i was like "Whoa Im done already!?!" So yeah it made me want to know more about Sutton before she died but again this ebook was too short, should have been longer cause i want to read more of Sutton's POV :)
August 24, 2013
This was a (very) short novella about Sutton before she was murdered. It was nice to get in her head, since her interactions with people were so different than Emma-as-Sutton. Sutton really was a very, very mean person. We knew that already, but wow.
The story was too short to have any real substance, but I did still enjoy it.
The story was too short to have any real substance, but I did still enjoy it.
December 30, 2012
A look into the world of Sutton and the beginning of her and the mysterious Thayer. I love all of these books and I hope there will be more about Sutton and her world. I'm holding out that she turns out to not be dead, but probably just hopeful. I hope the series continues as it goes from strength to strength
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2015
I thought this was an okay read. I am not to invested in this series as I was with the PLL series. I liked Sawyer and Thayer's relationship in this book. I understand the characters a little bit better which makes me happy. I will continue the series to see how it ends. Hopefully, I will like the series more as I read them.
January 9, 2015
I like it
August 19, 2016
A quick read that gives you an insider of what everything was like before
August 6, 2016
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
If only this one would've been longer... Thayer is such a cutie, and I sure as hell need to know what happened between him and Sutton.
If only this one would've been longer... Thayer is such a cutie, and I sure as hell need to know what happened between him and Sutton.
May 4, 2016
Great story to know more about Sutton and Thayer's past. Sutton in true nature.
March 3, 2020
The First Lie is the prequel novella to The Lying Game series, before Sutton's death and it follows her and her friends basically figuring out who to prank and they ultimately pick Thayer, Madeline's younger brother as well as Sutton realizing that she has feelings for him.
Sutton and her little minions are bullies. There's no other way around it, so it's hard to feel bad for someone like her. From page one she was unlikeable. There is a line that just reeks of narcissism that reads, "She catches my eye across the crowd and scowls, but I avert my gaze frostily. Because of Nisha's perma-smug expression, of course. And how she doesn't bow down to me like she should". Sutton is a spoiled-ass teenage girl who has a God-like complex because she feels like she's second place to her parents over her younger sister, Laurel, due to her being adopted (Sutton) and even when she relayed this to Thayer on one occasion, it still makes it hard for me to feel sorry for her because of her actions.
This is a line that I just found to be cringe-worthy on so many levels. "Off to ballet, bitches. I declare this Lying Game meeting officially dismissed". WHO in their right mind thinks that is cool to say?!
Another cringe line. This is after the fair or whatever it's called in this book and Thayer gives her a Scooby-Doo bear (or whatever it's called). "Scooby-Dooby-Doo!" I whisper, then smile to myself. And keep in mind that Sutton says this.
Also, even though Sutton is an asshole, Thayer is creepy as well. He has a picture of Sutton that he keeps in his room doing God knows what with it.
A good chunk of this book is Thayer and Sutton essentially flirting with each other and when the time came they finally kissed, but it was outed by Mads and Char that this was a prank, BUT Sutton has actual feelings for Thayer, all of a sudden, but was too afraid to say it because she was afraid that her friends with teasing her for going out with someone younger than her.
The only time I felt truly sorry for her was, as I mentioned when it was outed that this was a prank, but she truly felt bad at that moment. But then, as I thought about it, Sutton all of a sudden is into Thayer because he changed, appearance-wise in terms of he had gotten muscles and magically she is into his personality and crap.
And can we talk about Madeline, too, because she's a complete asshole to her brother? She's constantly talking shit about him and tries every chance she can get to shatter his confidence whether it's to his face or not.
Another thing I didn't like was the name drops on the high-end brands. I think Sara does this in Pretty Little Liars if my memory serves me correct and I absolutely hate. There's no reason to constantly do that because we get it. These people have money!
The only character I could tolerate, and actually liked, was Laurel because she's a genuinely nice girl.
Sutton is a selfish person and it shows with her interactions with everyone, including her parents, because she's wondering why she gets treated differently compared to Laurel. Newsflash, it's not the fact that she's adopted, it's solely because of her attitude and the fact that Thayer even agreed to date her (in secret) is beyond me.
Overall, this was okay. Sara's writing isn't groundbreaking at all, but it's good for a quick read and this goes with any of her books.
Sutton and her little minions are bullies. There's no other way around it, so it's hard to feel bad for someone like her. From page one she was unlikeable. There is a line that just reeks of narcissism that reads, "She catches my eye across the crowd and scowls, but I avert my gaze frostily. Because of Nisha's perma-smug expression, of course. And how she doesn't bow down to me like she should". Sutton is a spoiled-ass teenage girl who has a God-like complex because she feels like she's second place to her parents over her younger sister, Laurel, due to her being adopted (Sutton) and even when she relayed this to Thayer on one occasion, it still makes it hard for me to feel sorry for her because of her actions.
This is a line that I just found to be cringe-worthy on so many levels. "Off to ballet, bitches. I declare this Lying Game meeting officially dismissed". WHO in their right mind thinks that is cool to say?!
Another cringe line. This is after the fair or whatever it's called in this book and Thayer gives her a Scooby-Doo bear (or whatever it's called). "Scooby-Dooby-Doo!" I whisper, then smile to myself. And keep in mind that Sutton says this.
Also, even though Sutton is an asshole, Thayer is creepy as well. He has a picture of Sutton that he keeps in his room doing God knows what with it.
A good chunk of this book is Thayer and Sutton essentially flirting with each other and when the time came they finally kissed, but it was outed by Mads and Char that this was a prank, BUT Sutton has actual feelings for Thayer, all of a sudden, but was too afraid to say it because she was afraid that her friends with teasing her for going out with someone younger than her.
The only time I felt truly sorry for her was, as I mentioned when it was outed that this was a prank, but she truly felt bad at that moment. But then, as I thought about it, Sutton all of a sudden is into Thayer because he changed, appearance-wise in terms of he had gotten muscles and magically she is into his personality and crap.
And can we talk about Madeline, too, because she's a complete asshole to her brother? She's constantly talking shit about him and tries every chance she can get to shatter his confidence whether it's to his face or not.
Another thing I didn't like was the name drops on the high-end brands. I think Sara does this in Pretty Little Liars if my memory serves me correct and I absolutely hate. There's no reason to constantly do that because we get it. These people have money!
The only character I could tolerate, and actually liked, was Laurel because she's a genuinely nice girl.
Sutton is a selfish person and it shows with her interactions with everyone, including her parents, because she's wondering why she gets treated differently compared to Laurel. Newsflash, it's not the fact that she's adopted, it's solely because of her attitude and the fact that Thayer even agreed to date her (in secret) is beyond me.
Overall, this was okay. Sara's writing isn't groundbreaking at all, but it's good for a quick read and this goes with any of her books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2023
You know how you have those days where you want to read but nothing grabs you, and you try and try again and everything is blah. That's how I feel sometimes with my books. In those moments, you should have an author or books on your Kindle that you know that no matter what they will work wonders for you and hit the spot. Sara Shepard is one of those authors for me and then as it was also getting later at night, a novella was perfect. A nice quick read. With The First Lie, I was instantly transported back into the world of The Lying Game with Sutton Mercer and her friends. The First Lie is set before Sutton learns about Emma, and Sutton and her friends are trying to come up with this year's prank. Char, Mads, and Sutton decide to take Mad's younger brother Thayer down a notch as he's come back Mr. Popular and Sexy. They will do it by pretending Sutton is in love with him and just as he falls for Sutton - bam - prank time. The thing though is Sutton has feelings for him, but can she let down her guard in front of her friends or will she act the b*tch she always is - the one who doesn't care about anyone else but herself? Find out in The Lying Game's novella "The First Lie" by Sara Shepard.
December 4, 2021
“Never before, though, have I thought about how those people truly felt. And most of the people we pranked deserved it for for one reason or another. But did Thayer, really?”
This novella covers the origins of Sutton Mercer and Thayer Vega in a way that was not only unnecessary and cliche, but also tiresome and pointless.
Although it offers a view into the life of the deceased twin, her feelings inadequacy and it even introduces a somewhat supernatural element by stating that like Emma she too has dreams about her birth mom, much of the information is superfluous. There is no plot, and if I were to scramble to find one it would be that the girls want to prank Thayer Vega. That is it, three bored and vicious girls decide to prank a boy with budding popularity and one has a change of heart, a plot that is flimsy at best.
The Lying Game series as a whole, while not a masterpiece, manages to maintain some level of life intrigue, however, this is entry into it is not necessary reading even for fans of the series.
This novella covers the origins of Sutton Mercer and Thayer Vega in a way that was not only unnecessary and cliche, but also tiresome and pointless.
Although it offers a view into the life of the deceased twin, her feelings inadequacy and it even introduces a somewhat supernatural element by stating that like Emma she too has dreams about her birth mom, much of the information is superfluous. There is no plot, and if I were to scramble to find one it would be that the girls want to prank Thayer Vega. That is it, three bored and vicious girls decide to prank a boy with budding popularity and one has a change of heart, a plot that is flimsy at best.
The Lying Game series as a whole, while not a masterpiece, manages to maintain some level of life intrigue, however, this is entry into it is not necessary reading even for fans of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews