True Lies

The Lying Game #5.5

by Sara Shepard

It's the summer after junior year and Sutton Mercer's world is turned upside down when her secret boyfriend, Thayer Vega, disappears without a trace. When he finally calls, he says he needs "space."

Furious, Sutton does what any jilted girl would do—she gets over her last boyfriend by finding a new one. And luckily Garrett Austin is happy to step up and be her new leading man. The only catch: Garrett used to date Sutton's best friend Charlotte. Now an annoyed Charlotte is insisting that Sutton's younger sister, Laurel, be admitted to the Lying Game clique. If Sutton wants to keep Laurel out, she'll need to outdo her in a series of prank challenges. Defeating Laurel should be a no-brainer, but little sis has some tricks up her sleeve...

Will Sutton prove she's the only Mercer fit for the club? Or is the Lying Game queen about to get overthrown by her not-so-loyal subjects?

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Novella, Romance

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2013

About the author

Sara 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.

Reviews

[Ciara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing and doesn't feel necessary. I love Sutton in the main books but not so much here. And maybe I'm dumb or just misremembering, but does this not make a giant continuity error for the series?

In the second book, Emma sees Sutton and Garrett's prom photo, where Thayer is stood slightly off to the side, looking pissed/jealous. But how could this prom photo exist if Sutton and Garrett didn't become a thing until after Thayer was in rehab? And how could Thayer be in it if he didn't come back from rehab until after Sutton was murdered?

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, a really enjoyable novella! Not as great as the first novella, but still really good.

This novella showed a great insight into how Laurel and Sutton's relationship developed, as well as what went down between her and Thayer causing him to leave.

So sad that I officially have no Lying Game things left to read, now it's really all over *sigh*

[✴ eve ☾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to say it; Sutton is a horrible person. I can't believe how petty and cruel and unnecessarily nasty she was, especially to Laurel.

I cringed a few times when she'd say or do something that was uncalled for.
And clearly Sutton didn't get the memo that you're not supposed to date your friends exes. And I find it hard to believe she would throw away her love for Thayer so simply when she thought he was seeing a girl...something which she did not have proof of at all.

Of Emma and Sutton, I much prefer Emma!

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay but I got a bit bored of the pranks (especially as most of them weren't even pranks in my opinion). Just need to read the last book now to find out what actually happened.
3.25 stars

[Xiomara · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I only read the dialogue and like 5% of the narrative does it still count?

[Jordan Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super fun! You get more insight into why Sutton was the way she was in her relationships with Garrett and Thayer and Laurel, and even see hints of Ethan and Emma. I throughly enjoyed, even more so than the first novella.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

How I Came To Read This Book: I felt like it had been awhile since I’d read some TLG, and I ITHOUGHT this novella was the next one in the series in theory. Alas I was wrong – it’s The First Lie. But really where it’s a prequel it doesn’t matter all that much. Having read it slightly out of order now I’ll be curious to see how this impacts my reading of other entries into the series (I most recently finished book #4).

The Plot: Sutton Mercer is still alive, first of all. This prequel takes place about three months before she disappears and subsequently is murdered (in theory). Essentially the book sets out to explain two things: how Laurel wormed her way into The Lying Game and why Sutton started dating Garrett. To a lesser degree it also shows what Sutton and Thayer’s relationship was like while he’s still in town / Sutton is still alive. The bulk of the book surrounds Sutton, Charlotte, Madeleine, Laurel, and Garrett and two of his friends going on a weekend trip to Las Vegas. Sutton and her sis are put head-to-head in a series of dares and pranks to determine Laurel’s worthiness.

The Good & The Bad: This novella is hideously unrealistic, but I suppose fun. I mean, for one, the geography of the Las Vegas strip is totally off, making me think that Sara Shepard has never set foot there. There is no mystical theme park (the setting for the climax of the book) either, but whatever. For another, I doubt the girls’ parents would be so willing to let them gallivant off for the weekend, even with their excuse of cheering on the science team, ESPECIALLY in light of Thayer’s disappearance. And don’t even get me started on the dares / the girls sneaking into the casinos and clubs so easily.

Still if you can get past all that ridiculousness, this is a fairly dense book that prompts plenty of questions as I head into the second half of the series. It’s interesting to see Sutton Mercer, super bitch, in real, live action. She’s pretty horrendously unlikable (as she is when she’s a shrill ghost in the rest of the series) but I also felt twinges of empathy for her given that A) I knew she was going to die and B) if you are as self-centered and idiotic as she is, you probably fully expect to be as easily upset as she is by things like texts that come six hours later (I mock yes, but some of the things she’s upset about I’d be annoyed about too).

Interesting, notable points. Emma makes an oblique appearance in this book – who was she talking to? ‘Some guy’ seems to imply it’s not someone she meets later on (like Garrett or Ethan), but perhaps it was just a passing interaction that didn’t register with her. Alternatively it could have been her skeazy foster brother, Travis? Also of note, we find out a bit more about the prank The Lying Game pulled on Ethan. Although we don’t know what it is (and I don’t think the regular series has filled us in), we do know that he lost a prestigious scholarship because of the girls. Laurel and Garrett are both painted with a slightly suspicious brush as well (although Laurel seems to have been cleared by the last book), although I’ve long-held the belief Garrett makes no sense as a suspect because of him propositioning Emma-as-Sutton in the first book (unless he really just hoped Emma would go along with it...in which case, that’s insane / gross).

Finally, Thayer’s character is a little puzzling in this entry. I always assumed he was the same age, or even older, than Sutton and her friends but this book makes it very clear how tight Laurel and him really were because he was younger, and that he and Sutton had a bizarre, secret relationship for a year. I'm actually curious to read The First Lie now to figure out how they started - Shepard seems to really be pushing Thayer as integral to the Sutton story. Knowing that he was younger very much dampened the ‘bad boy’ romantic mystique he has in the actual series. I can’t believe that he wouldn’t immediately pick up on Emma as Sutton based on how freaking weird Emma acts when he rolls into town. In fact in general, this book really highlights how different the two girls are, sort of to the detriment of any sort of believability of the series. Sigh.

The Bottom Line: Although fluffy and unrealistic as all get out, this novella does provide some intrigue and insight into Sutton Mercer.

Anything Memorable?: As per my comments on Las Vegas geography...in one paragraph the girls are walking over the canals in the Venetian hotel, in the next they’re walking by the rollercoaster at the New York, New York. The NY hotel is a good 30-45 minute walk from the Venetian. Beyond that, the mention of Emma being at the NY NY while Sutton is supposedly at a carnival at the ‘end of the strip’ is equally laughable. I mean, she could have taken a cab...but really?

60-Book Challenge: Book #48 in 2013

[Madi ~☆TheBookNerdDiaries☆~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this novella is a clear winner over the other one.

In this one, we get to see Sutton's thoughts and interactions with Laurel as well as a full plot about how Laurel got into the Lying Game group. I think we get a lot more insight into Sutton's relationships and thoughts as well as why some things are the way they are in the novels.

Another thing I really liked was the fact that we got to see into both relationships with Thayer and Garrett. We got to see how Sutton felt when Thayer disappears out of the blue and how she reacts in turn with Garrett. Through this, I think we can also see why Garrett has acted the way he has in the full length novels.

This novella actually kind of felt like one of the novels in some ways and was just as enjoyable.

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[Mischa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't like the lying game aspect of this series (lol, I know, since it's everywhere), so I really did not enjoy this. Plus, as I've already mentioned... I don't care about Sutton.

[Crimelpoint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fajny dodatek do całej serii.

[Tiffany Spencer]

True Lies
Laurel is pestering Sutton about going over to the Vegas because she’s flunking Spanish and needs Thayer to help her with her homework. Only today Sutton isn’t really in the mood for her adopted sister. We find out that she and Thayer had a fight. He didn’t (either answer her text or text her for six hours. Her father makes her take Laurel and she says give her 20 minutes. Then Madeline calls and says she needs her to come over NOW! Thayer is gone!

Two days later, practically everyone at Holier High is at Sabino Canyon searching for Thayer. Madeline tells Sutton it’s a waste of time. Her brother ran away. Sutton gets jealous of how close Madeline and Laurel seem to be with their shared link to Thayer. Garett approaches Sutton and asks her if she’d like to hang out sometimes, but she’s interrupted by a call. It’s Thayer. He tells Sutton he just needs some space right now and she can’t tell anyone he called. Then she hears a giggle and finds out he’s with a female named Mary. He says it’s “a friend” but then he cuts the call short. Hoping Charlotte will forgive her (because she and Garett had a bad breakup) she accepts his offer to hang out.

On Monday, Sutton and Garett go out to eat at a nice restaurant. Sutton notices how attentive he is and how this date is unlike any of the ones she and Thayer went on (which were holes in the wall). Sutton thinks about how Charlotte also now has been hanging out with Laurel. She asks Charlotte how she feels about her and Garett going out to dinner at school. She says it's cool, but then quickly leaves. Laurel tells her just because she said it was ok she’s definitely not ok with it. Back on the date, Garett and Sutton talk about their mom’s pressure on them both about grads and a boys club Garett is planning to start. He briefly mentions Louisa (his sister) and taking care of her. Both realize there’s more to the other than they thought. Sutton thinks she can learn to like Garett. At the end of the date, Garett asks Sutton is she seeing anyone (Thayer) but she says “Nope. She’s definitely single.” He says so is he. When Sutton mentions Charlotte he says they’re better as friends. They kiss but it’s not the same as with Thayer. Then she sees Charlotte and Madeline pull up.
They’re angry. Charlotte and Madeline say they want to initiate a new member into the club.. Laurel. Sutton brushes this off, but they're insistent on this. They remind her of how Laurel helped with the Christmas prank. Sutton accuses Madelyn of this being her way of getting back at her, but Madelyn says she’s not mad at her. She just thinks she’d make a good member. Then she initiates the “Sutton Death Clause” The means the member who opposes the new suggested member has to go head to head with them in a series of dates. If the member wins the suggested member is out. If the suggested member wins they’re in. Sutton checks the book. It’s there but she knows it hasn’t always been. Still, she agrees to this (tho feeling betrayed that they want her sister). They say this isn’t an official prank war. They’re going to Vegas.

In Vegas, they say the “contest” will consist of five, challenges. They won’t know when or where. The first challenge is for Laurel to score them a top-notch hotel room at a reduced rate. Laurel gets them a double room with a balcony. Sutton’s challenge is to get the room turned into a suite. Sutton scores them a room by wrapping a head scarf around her head and pretending she’s someone famous. So, they get upgraded to the Emperor’s Suite. Sutton loses the round because the Presidential Suite is the best suite. The Emperor's Suite is second.

Sutton runs into Ethan whose competing in the Science Bowl (the one they’ve told their parents they’re there to support a friend in). Garett has also come to the hotel (invited by Sutton out of revenge and as a distraction. For a brief minute while talking about his sister Garett shows a sign of what he’ll turn into the rest of the series, but Sutton calms his anger and tells him it’s not his fault and he’s doing more than enough by being there for her now. Thayer calls but Sutton brushes him off when he hears Garett in the background and hangs up on him like he did her. She tells Garett it’s her mom and they argued over her mom not wanting her to gamble. So, they agree to gamble up a storm that night.

The second challenge is Sutton and Laurel are “lucky dice blowers”.Sutton’s player Sam wins this one. So, Sutton wins the challenge. Garett is about to stomp Sam into next year for getting a little too fresh with Sutton, but they both get kicked out by security. Garett leaves and tells Sutton he’ll call her later.

Laurel’s up. Her next challenge is to get them into Saucy’s (an exclusive night spot owned by Jay Z). Which she does without even breaking a sweat (refusing to tell Sutton how she did this). She even gets them in the VIP room (which enrages Sutton). But after a lil alcohol, she has to admit she’s proud of Laurel. That is until the DJ calls her out and dedicates “I Will Survive” to her. She finds out Laurel got them in by telling the bouncer she (Sutton) was stood up at the altar. It hits a little too close to home. She’s been left by Thayer who hasn’t called her since she hung up on him.

It's now Sunday (their last day there). Laurel’s and Sutton’s next challenge is to go inside a costume shop and whoever picks the best costume wins. Laurel and Sutton both see a Queen of Hearts costume at the same time that’s perfect. Sutton gets her hands on it first. Laurel tho manipulates Sutton in order to distract her by teling her she wants to be a member of the club because she misses them being friends. Laurel is then able to get the dress from the salesgirl and buy the costume first. Sutton tho finds a Lady Gaga costume, changes right there in the store, and is awarded winner of the challenge by Madelyn and Charlotte.

Sutton returns to her room after hanging out with Garett by the pool. Only to discover all her things gone. She finds a note from Madeline instructing her to come to the amusement park. When she gets there she finds out it’s a scavenger hunt. Sutton wins the scavenger hunt by finding her necklace and Laurel’s bracelet in a haunted house. But then she finds Laurel whose broken her ankle. She takes pity on her because Laurel is crying and says she doesn’t have any friends and she lost Thayer and Sutton hates her, and gives her the bracelet (permitting her to be in the club). So, Laurel is initiated into the club. Madeline and Charlotte already have a card waiting for her.
Later at dinner, Charlotte tells her they saw her (Sutton) over by the Ferris wheel but she says she wasn’t there. She was in the haunted house. Sutton asks if it’s really ok with her (Charlotte) if she dates Garett and Charlotte says it’s ok because knowing her in three days she will have moved on. Besdes she thinks they’re good for one another.

Back home, Sutton looks at pictures of the trip. She’s really starting to like Garett. Laurel comes in her room and suggests they break into an exclusive social event for her first official prank. But Thayer calls. In private, Sutton takes the call. Thayer tells her he misses her and he never should have asked for his space. But he can’t come home yet. He’s somewhere working things out so he can be a real boyfriend to her. He tells her he’ll contact Madeline in his own time. He asks will she wait for him a little longer, but she tells him she doesn’t know and hangs up the phone on him.


My Thoughts
It wasn’t bad. It did give a little bit extra about Sutton and Thayer’s fight, how she hooked up with Garett, and Laurel’s initiation into the Liar’s Club. The series sometimes does refer to some of these events so this novella was at least useful. Unlike some, I’ve read that are just unnecessary. I liked that Ethan was added into the story and Emma (in the background subtly). Maybe this one should have come before the first book (or after). But other than the off order, I thought the “pranks” were a little off too. A lot of them didn’t have anything to do with any kind of real “skill” or “cleverness”. More like Laurel and Sutton just had a lot of luck pulling off these challenges. The hotel stunt was due to pure laziness. I don’t think anyone would have been that naïve to believe just because Sutton wore a headwrap she was a celebrity without seeing some kind of ID. Laurel and Sutton are rich. Laurel could have just flashed Mr. Mercer’s credit card and gotten them a nice room. The “lucky dice girl” thing had more to do with their “players” than them. I can see if the challenge would have been between *them* at a casino game (which made this one kind of dumb). Then the costume one was also just luck. The scavenger game was more clever. It tied Sutton to Emma and Becky. It was also a fond family member for me because I also had a family member who would play treasure hunt with me growing up. So overall, a decent “extra”

Rating: 6

[sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sometimes I don’t know why I bother at all. Everyone would probably be happier if I just disappeared, too.”

— i.

I am Sutton Mercer, resident queen bee, and no one, especially not the boy I love, gets to treat me like an afterthought.

So the second The Lying Game novella takes place almost a year after the first novella. However, the focus of this story is Sutton's relationship with her sister and Sutton's insecurities about always feeling second best in her family, since she's adopted, and Laurel (her sister) isn't. Although it wasn't as entertaining for me as the first novella was, it was still enjoyable and I liked seeing a more vulnerable side of Sutton that didn't involve romance.

— ii.

“Everything in my life is terrible right now. So excuse me if I cry about it for a few minutes. Excuse me if I’m human.”

Just like the first novella, True Lies is also about a bet, but between Sutton and Laurel. Laurel wants to join Sutton's posse (by being an addition to The Lying Game club), but Sutton wants Laurel to stay away. So the girls invite some guy friends and hit Vegas for the weekend (which ironically, is where Emma is living at the moment). Other than learning more about Sutton and her character through her own perspective (while being alive), there's not much else to comment about. The Sutton/Thayer tidbits were nice, even if they were angsty. We also get to see Sutton using Garrett, another popular attractive teenager who likes Sutton (but obviously doesn't know about Thayer since that relationship is a secret). And since Thayer went MIA (for reasons we find out about in the actual book series), Sutton has this constant craving to feel wanted and loved 24/7 (but we already know she never actually liked Garrett). I got nothing else to say really, it was another short novella, with a little less substance than the first one had, but still great. I would also read this novella after finishing the series to enjoy it to its fullest extent.

-

Pranks aren’t so funny when you’re the butt of the joke. I can feel everyone in the club staring at me, pitying me. No one thinks I’m fabulous. No one wants me to be a model or an actress. I feel humiliated that I even thought that.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

True Lies takes place after the first novella, The First Lie, so probably a year later. Sutton and Thayer are still a full fledged secret couple until they have a fight. Then, Thayer disappears. Meanwhile, Laurel wants to become a member of The Lying Game and gets Mads and Char on her side.

This initiates a Sudden Death scenario: a series of challenges. If Laurel wins, she's in. If Sutton wins, Laurel can never become a member at all. The place where this will take place is Las Vegas! In the midst of all this, Thayer contacts Sutton and tells her he needs space. It's no surprise when she goes to Garrett's welcoming arms...

I liked True Lies. Once again, it gives more insight to Sutton's character, mostly focusing on her less than desirable traits. Then again, Laurel was shown to be just as shifty and crafty as she was. And what about Ethan and Emma being there as well? I know my theory on who killed Sutton is correct.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thayer's gone missing and no one's had contact with him except Sutton. Being the sexy, mysterious boy he is, he doesn't give her any details. Sutton's done with his ways and goes out with Charlotte's ex Garrett. Meanwhile Charlotte and Madeline invoke the Sudden Death Clause in TLG rulebook to initiate Laurel into their group. As if life couldn't get any worse, boyfriend's gone for unknown reasons, now her sister's stealing her best friends.

True Lies was another novella told from Sutton's POV before her murder. The pranks the girls got up to for Laurel's admission into the Lying Game was fun and interesting. Sutton was quite the bitch, even though she did make up for it in the end. It's easy to see why someone would've killed her! We even get a special appearance from a certain Sutton doppelganger. Great tie in to the series.

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know....although it was great to get another glimpse into the Lying Games and into the history of Thayer and Sutton, Laurel and Garrett and some of the history while actually with Sutton...

but I just...Sutton sucked in this one. She just seemed like the selfish jerk I'd always assumed she was. I was hoping these shorts would help me feel a little sorry for her, that she's gone and now has to try to figure out who killed her....but this one just made me dislike her.

No wonder someone was out to get her. The list of suspects just gets longer and longer. She's awful!

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this SO boring. I expected to like it because it was from Sutton's point of view and it gave a little more history into the group dynamics before she died. But it was boring and I don't think I really learned anything new about any of the characters. And on top of that, Sutton was horrible in this book.

[LaWanda Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little novella got on my nerves. I read it and these girls actually irritated me. I guess it may have had something to do with the order that I read them which was the order it was shown in Goodreads. Anyway. I probably should have read it before I started the series. But as I finished it did get a tiny bit better and I felt less irritated

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book. It was cool to understand more about Sutton's character. I like how Sutton and Thayer are a couple but then Thayer disappears. I also like Emma and Ethan. However, nothing else exciting happens for me in this book. Overall, an okay read. Needs more suspense!!

[Aseel Mujahed · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's good , but it didint add anything to the story !!
For me it's no need !!
The writer could just finish the story a 3 books before

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing conclusive about Louisa, sigh. Guess it will be told in Seven Minutes.

[Zohal · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like I wasted my time reading this.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

“I woke up in a dingy claw-foot bathtub in an unfamiliar pink-tiled bathroom. A stack of Maxims sat next to the toilet, green toothpaste globbed in the sink, and white drips streaked the mirror. The window showed a dark sky and a full moon. What day of the week was it? Where was I? A frat house at the U of A? Someone’s apartment? I could barely remember that my name was Sutton Mercer, or that I lived in the foothills of Tucson, Arizona.”
Rewinding the story before Emma assumes the life of the extremely popular, beautiful, and vicious twin sister she never knew she had, the accompanying novella shows us what it was like on the other side.
The amnesia patient that Sutton usually is in her ghostly state has been transformed, and we now begin to piece together the girl behind it all. A simple and entertaining story about a Vegas trip, littered with allusions to what might come, some plot points from the main book series are elucidated whilst explanations for characterization and the dynamics that the foster child Emma encounters when she is forced to assume the identity of the Queen Bee of Tucson are explained.
The book is incredibly short, standing at just over one hundred pages, and if you are a fan of The Lying Game series and want to escape the monotony of rehashed plot lines or simply delve into who the real Sutton Mercer was, this is one that I would recommend

[Jess Swann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une petite novella qui se centre sur Sutton et sur sa vie quelques mois avant sa mort... Ainsi, on découvre sa relation compliquée avec Laurel et ça fait plaisir de la voir s'adoucir un peu ( comme quoi Sutton n'est pas si horrible que les tomes Emma le donnerait à penser). L'histoire est bien menée et nous présente les tenants de sa relation avec Thayer mais aussi ses débuts avec Garrett. J'ai beaucoup aimé la découvrir ainsi et je ne peux que regretter qu'elle ne soit jamais face à Emma ! Les remords/regrets/états d'âme de Sutton sont bien décrits et j'apprécie de la voir au centre de l'histoire

Ce que j'aime : le personnage de Sutton, ses relations avec les autres personnages, son insécurité face à Laurel

Ce que j'aime moins : trop court !

En bref : Un bon tome qui nous permet d'en apprendre plus sur Sutton

Ma note

7,5/10

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you are in the mood to read but nothing is grabbing you and the clock is ticking? What is your go-to read? Mine is novellas or short stories and what better ones that take you back into the world of some of your favorite series like Sara Shepard's The Lying Game - though in my defense anything by Sara Shepard is great as she is one of my favorites. In True Lies, Thayer has run away and the gang is all missing him in different ways. Laurel wants in with the Lying Game crew but this is Sutton's baby and she doesn't want to share another thing with Laurel. Of course, Laurel has Mads and Charlotte on her side which means Sutton must now participate in a Lying Game Showdown. If Sutton wins then Laurel can't join but if Laurel wins - then she is a new member of The Lying Game Club. The book and challenges take place in Las Vegas and of course, at the end, we get that sneak peek of Emma - Sutton's twin. I just wish we had more of Emma in this book. It has now made me want to rewatch the series "The Lying Game".

[Darianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta novela corta narra desde la perspectiva de Sutton y como ella y sus mejores amigas que forman parte del juego de las mentiras, hace un viaje en grupo hacia las vegas, para participar y poner en práctica algunos desafíos que den un nuevo comienzo a un nuevo de mentiras.
También habla de los sentimiento de Sutton y como se siente realmente y de cómo siente celos y envidia hacia su hermana Laurel y que llegue a formar parte del gurpo "juego de las mentiras" con ella y sus amigas.
También por otro lado se narra de cómo fue la relación que tuvo Thayer antes que desapareciera sin decirla nadie ni a ella y de cómo ella se sintió respecto a eso.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning more about Sutton's life before she was murdered. I think it focused a little too much on the Garrett-Sutton relationship. It was interesting how Ethan was also at the Bellagio at the same time and I wanted to see more interaction between him and Sutton. Despite Garrett's anger issues, I don't think he is Sutton's killer. The Lying Games prank-off was cool especially since it was in Vegas. It's funny how Emma was at the NY NY Roller coaster and Char thought she was Sutton. If only Emma and Sutton had met then!

[Bob McBob the Farmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have officially finished all of the books in the Lying Game series, hooray! This was a crazy series and it's super fun to reflect upon. That being said, this novella underwhelmed me. I just really hated Sutton in it and felt awful for Laurel. There were also some continuity errors but that's fine since the queen, Sara Shepard, is allowed to make mistakes. She's only human, after all. Anyway, cute book. Is it worth it, though? Probably not.

[Maddison Funnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had read every book and story in "The Lying Game" series, so when I happened across this one I bought and started it immediately! It's different seeing what Sutton and Sutton's life were like before the events that begun the original series, but as will all of Shepard's amazing novellas (the "Pretty Little Liars" ones as well), I just wish it was another full book!!

[kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

I read True Lies in June of 2013, so I’m not going to review. I’m just adding books to my read shelf that never made it there when I first read them (thanks, child Kayleigh, for deciding to keep a list of all the books you’ve read, their dates, and their rating since early 2007).

[wench · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this companion to the series and a look into Sutton's life. I understand it's a novella, but I think it could've been combined with The First Lie. All the books and companions in this series could have been combined with another to make it stronger but I guess you make more money from selling them individually.