So I Lied

by Chelsea Ichaso

In this foreboding journey into the depths of friendship, three women spend a trip together covering up the secrets between them—but when one lie unravels, there’s no going back.

Jocelyn is ready to get married—and more ready to have fun. She plans a bachelorette trip to North Wales, where she can forget about her strained relationship and focus on the tension among friends instead. It’s a welcome distraction.

Her friend Rowan used to be the wild child. But after having a kid of her own and losing the father in a tragic accident, she’s now the ever-responsible single mother, cautious in every way. Except one.

Cadence doesn’t want to be there. For as long as she’s known her friends, she’s always felt disparate. Maybe it’s because those two share a special bond: Jocelyn’s brother was Rowan’s boyfriend, and they still feel his loss. Or maybe it’s because Cadence has secrets they can never know.

As the trip goes on, their friendship begins to crack under the pressure of all the things they leave unsaid…but those might be the only things that can save them.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Adult, Suspense

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2025

About the author

Chelsea Ichaso writes twisty thrillers for young adults and is also the author of the adult thriller, So I Lied. Her novel, The Summer She Went Missing, earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, a spot on Barnes & Noble’s Best of 2024 list, and was a 2025 TAYSHAS reading list selection. Her latest release, We Were Warned, is a Junior Library Guild Selection and has been featured on Marie Claire’s list of the 18 Most Anticipated Mystery Thrillers of 2025 as well as Goodreads Guide to 2025’s Biggest Mysteries & Thrillers. Chelsea currently resides in Southern California with her husband and children. When she’s not writing, she can be found cheering from the sidelines at her kids' soccer games or attempting to strum a tune on the guitar. You can visit her online at chelseaichaso.com or on Instagram @chelseaichaso.

Reviews

[Zizi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t necessarily like this book but don’t really HATE it I guess. There were constant twists in this book it became irritating

[Hannah Bugey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read. But super predictable. I guessed all of the plot twists and all the characters were awful.

[Mandy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I Lied 4⭐️
Secrets, drama, lying, toxic friendships, and murder… oh my!

3 friends travel to Wales to celebrate Jocelyn’s upcoming wedding. Jocelyn, Rowan, and Cadence have been friends since high school, although their relationships with each other have ebbed and flowed. High school friendships don’t always translate to adulthood. These three seem to force the friendship when they don’t really even like each other, but nothing an international trip won’t fix, right? They arrive at a small bed and breakfast (owned by Jocelyn’s aunt and uncle). The B&B is secluded and only hosts 2 other couples, but the women can’t shake the suspicious vibes of the other guests.

Chapters are told from Jocelyn, Rowan, and Cadence’s POVs, with chapters in the present interspersed. The ‘Now’ timeline chapters are short and mysterious with an unknown narrator. One of the friends is found dead, but the reader is unsure who it is.

While this was a bit over the top at times, it pulled me in and was entertaining. The characters were well rounded and distinct. I found myself feeling very strongly about one of the characters and secretly hoping she may be the one to meet her demise 🫣 I liked the suspense that came from getting bits and pieces from each POV and the mystery from the chapters in the Now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Jan 28 2025

[Angie ☯ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“In this foreboding journey into the depths of friendship, three women spend a trip together covering up the secrets between them—but when one lie unravels, there’s no going back.”

These three friends have the ultimate toxic relationship! I don’t even know why or how they call themselves friends! They all have secrets from each other – pretty substantial secrets - and I can’t for the life of me understand why they would even consider going on a vacation together!

The story for me is a bit unbelievable. In today's world, how do you book a trip that you think is on the ocean that is actually in the middle of the forest? A missing, possibly murdered, woman in a town nearby. Then there is the stalking of the friends that no one really takes seriously. There are so many separate stories in this book that it leaves you wondering about everyone and everything. It probably would help if just one person in the story was likable or didn’t have such ugly secrets! As the story unfolds, we learn that one friend is a murderer, one is a cheater and one is a kleptomaniac.

I suppose the title should have made me wonder about the storyline! Lol

The story had potential; I would give the author another try.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had a good premise but I thought the book itself was boring. It centers on 3 friends named Jocelyn, Cadence, and Rowan, who take a weekend trip for Jocelyn’s bachelorette party. They are immediately faced with some threatening characters and also long buried secrets come to light.

The chapters alternate between these 3 main characters but I had to keep checking back to remember whose chapter it was because the voices were not distinct. I couldn’t relate to any of them and when it’s introduced that one of them dies I didn’t care which one it was. The ending was interesting and there were some twists but I just couldn’t get invested because I just didn’t “get” any of the characters.

Overall, this was not for me but hoping others who like the psychological thriller genre enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ayeley 𐙚 ·˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭑ ⭑ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒
2.5 stars rounded down

♰This book was just okay.

╰┈➤ There was no sign leading up to the plot twist which made the reveal very annoying

╰┈➤ I couldn’t distinguish the voices. I could be reading Rowan’s chapter and along the line I ask myself “wait who’s POV” and I have to scroll back. They all have the same voice. They feel like the same person.

╰┈➤ The drama was good enough to entertain you for the first 180 pages but after that you slowly start to wonder what the point of the book is

╰┈➤ Also I found the ending very all over the place. I couldn’t keep count of how many times I rolled my eyes

╰┈➤ anyways, Joss> Rowan> Cady





I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for providing me with an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a crazy, wild ride about three girlfriends who go to Wales when wealthy bachelorette, Jocelyn--engaged to Landon--convinces them she needs a weekend with her friends before her wedding. They plan to stay with her Aunt Helen in a cozy cabin away from everything where they can relax, hike, and just have a good time. But there are two other guests there, Magnus and Valentina who quickly come under the girls' scrutiny as seem to appear everywhere the girls go even when the girls aren't even sure where they themselves are going! Long-standing secrets, lies, and conspiracies all play a part in this novel that will have you gasping even on the last page!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three friends travel to another country on a bachelorette trip, but their adventure quickly turns sinister.

I really enjoyed this read! It was fast paced and kept me eager to turn each page. The chapters were a nice length and I always enjoy multiple POV. The synopsis doesn’t give away much into the full story, so I encourage going in pretty blind! I didn’t know what to expect but I didn’t mind, it was a fun & fast read.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just ok for me. I couldn't connect with the characters and I wondered how they could even be friends. It was a weird dynamic that just didn't quite work for me.

I thought the story was just ok as well. It seemed really outlandish to be honest and it wasn't executed as well as I was hoping for. The narrator held it together well enough that I did finish but none of the characters were likeable and when I can't connect, I don't enjoy.

3 stars

[Lisa Aiello · Rating 4 out of 5]

These three women...ughhh. They all deserve each other for sure. They are all pretty awful people, behaving badly, and it's hard to have sympathy for any of them. It's not just lies and secrets. It's the extent of those lies and secrets and the intent behind them. That's not to say this wasn't deviously delicious watching them all kind of self-destruct and blow apart their friendships and their lives. If you don't mind admitting to yourself that you enjoy these kids of stories, you will definitely want to pick this one up and hold on for the crazy train ride.

[Celeste Velocci (bookrecs_by_celeste) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the early release of So I Lied. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately I did not connect very well with the characters or plot. That being said I feel like it was more of a me issue than a book issue. I am planning on reading more of this authors work because I do feel like I would enjoy her other books and that this one was just not for me.

Told from multiple points of view of three old friends who reunite for one of their bachelorette parties. Uncover old secrets and lies that some thought would be taken to the grave.

This book was mysterious and had multiple unreliable narrators which I love in a thriller.

[Kate Cedras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ummmm I feel like I just went on the wildest ride. In a good way for sure - but the characters in this story are awful. This twisty, turny story definitely was worth the read and pretty captivating.. I will say I never was bored and didn’t have a difficult time picking it back up. Worthy of a 4 star review but not my favorite at the same time. Will definitely recommend to friends!

[Collyn Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

read if you like:
👰🏻 bachelorette party stories
🤷🏻‍♀️ missing people
👯‍♀️ alternating POV’s

summary:
This book is about a group of three friends — Jocelyn, Rowan and Candace, who head to Wales for Jocelyn’s bachelorette party. Their lives are deeply intertwined from their pasts, and they all show up with secrets they desperately want to keep from each other. Over the course of the weekend, these secrets unravel, and they find themselves fighting to survive and make it home unscathed.

The POV alternates between all three girls, which made it hard to follow because they all sounded similar to each other. I also didn’t feel like any of them were particularly likable — they all had good qualities but dark underbellies that were hard to look past. Because of that, I really didn’t feel like I was “behind” anyone, and found myself struggling to root for any of them to come out of their catastrophic weekend on top. I also found the mystery with their other guests, Magnus and Valentina, confusing. It felt like we were going back and forth between problems between the three girls and problems between them and the other guests, which was hard to follow at times. That being said, the story moved quickly, and had a number of twists and turns that made it fun to read. The setting in Wales was also unique and different, and made for a good background for the story.

Overall it wasn’t really my cup of tea, but it definitely could be someone else’s!

Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and Net Galley for the advanced copy, and check this book out if you’re interested when it releases on January 28!

[Shruti Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟
(I received an e-arc from netgalley and am voluntarily leaving this review)
This was sooooo goood.
It was a mystery that actually shocked me by the end.
It follows three (best) friends who have secrets. A lot of secrets.
The fact i loved the most was the way little plot twists kept coming throughout the entire book.
I wasn't bored at any point.
The only reason i didn't rate it higher is that it got a little slow in the middle for me even though i totally understand why it was that way.
Highly recommend.
One of the best arcs and mystery i have read.

[Lauren Self (lauren.shelby.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book! I think fans of Lucinda Berry will like this. Recommend!

[Zoey 💫🛋️📚☕️🫖💫 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love KU because I find books like this! This was shockingly good. When I start a book by an author I don’t know, it’s always in the back of my mind that I might not like it and not want to finish it. With this one though, I loved it from the beginning. I just felt like I was right there with them in Wales (but glad I wasn’t).

It’s about Jocelyn, Cadence, (they call her Cady sometimes) and Rowan - three longtime friends who travel to Wales for some girl time because Jocelyn is getting married (to Landon). They’re going to stay with Jocelyn’s aunt and uncle (Helen and Paul) because they own an Inn.

- Jocelyn was a twin, but her brother died 8 years ago, and she still feels lost without him. But she’s marrying Landon and she’s ready to have fun on this trip.
- Cadence has a HUGE secret she’s been keeping. She’s also smart but insecure with the way her life is turning out. She had goals that got derailed, and she feels like a failure.
- Rowan used to date Jocelyn’s brother, and has a daughter who is staying with her parents while she’s on this trip. She also has a secret, but it’s also a problem she can’t control.

A couple is also staying at the Inn, and they’re weird! Magnus and Valentina seem to be everywhere the girls go. They can’t shake them, and it’s creepy.

The book is told in different POV’s, and there are short chapters throughout that’s NOW. They’re vague and keep your interest. I didn’t want to stop this book but I was falling asleep so I got up extra early to finish it.

I’m so glad I read it, and I’m highly recommending it to anyone who will listen.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO I LIED, Chelsea Ichaso’s first adult thriller is a twisted tale of lies and deception between three long time best friends visiting Wales for a girl’s week.

Cadence has never lived up to the potential she thought she had. Single mother Rowan never got over the loss of her daughter’s father who was Jocelyn’s twin. Jocelyn has lived off her father’s money.

Not one of these three woman has an ounce of integrity. Unlikable to the highest degree, they will stop at nothing to avenge perceived wrongs. Each has stabbed her two friends in the back in ways they can never get back.

Cadence, Jocelyn and Rowan has no business calling each other friends. Frenemies is the kindest word I can use to describe the trio.

I couldn’t stop listening to the audiobook, but I also liked the book less and less the further I I got into story. I doubt I’ll re-listen to SO I LIED although it entertained me a lot.

[Genni · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up.
Kindle audio

This is one of those books I both love and hate. Hated the characters- mean girl vibes through and through. At the same time, couldn’t look away from this train wreck.

I read a few reviews in which the reader ‘knew the outcome right away’- I question how well these readers actually read the book… I did not see this ending coming. A few individual scenarios I figured out as the story progressed but the ending? The ‘whodunit’. Nope. Well done twist. It could have been anyone and it was not who I expected!

Struggled a little with these self absorbed, whiney characters. This could have been enhanced by the audio/narration.

I enjoyed it. Great twists. Fun read. Narration done well. Multiple POV and dual timeline. Multiple potential suspects. Surprise ending.

[Gemini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dumb

The prologue did a good job of building up the suspense. I wanted to know what happened to the unidentified friend. As the story unfolded, it became a struggle to stick with it. The storyline wasn’t good. The drama that these women created was so ridiculous. None of it made any sense. Each plot twist made it worst. The epilogue was so over the top. This was a big letdown.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I Lied is about a group of 3 friends on a bachelorette trip to North Wales. I love the atmosphere and setting of the novel. It was all moss and woods and damp. Early on in the novel, we start to learn that each of the friends has character flaws, really serious character flaws. The reader learns this because the book is told in multiple points of view. I like that concept, but the execution was flawed. None of the friends has a unique voice. They are defined by their flaws. And they are so flawed that it is hard to understand how they are friends at all. The ending has a couple big twists but they were not that satisfying because the characters were too vague for the reader to be surprised. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this novel.

[Jen (noelle w. ihli's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

bachelorette trip turns deadly?? yeah ok gimmie

i am tired of the "women friendships aren't real and everyone is a catty bitch" trope, honestly, but on that same token i love a the drama in books?? idk y'all it's a conundrum for me

overall i think cady and joss have the worst secrets, rowan's is very meh and also who cares.

this was a fun audio ride for me, i guessed one twist but not the others, and i love that. sometimes i couldn't decipher who was talking and esp w audio that's not great, but i think that was the biggest setback for this book, but also could totally be a ME problem. idk 4 stars would rec

[Nina Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ I was in the mood for a good twisty thriller and this book definitely scratched that itch for me. While the characters were all kind of horrible, I feel like that added to the plot of the story. I love multiple perspectives and how the author continuously added in more lies and secrets as the story went on. I love when a chapter ends in a cliff hanger and then it switches to a new character. It definitely makes you want to keep reading and this book definitely did that! While some of the plot points were fairly easy to figure out, I really enjoyed how you didn’t know who was the victim OR the killer until the bitter end. I’m interested to check out more by this author!

[emily *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
As Jocelyn is getting married her and her two closest friends take a bachelorette trip to a B&B. when the come across a handsome man what can go wrong. when they realize he isn't who he says he is and starts stalking them everyone's secrets start to unravel. ending in murder all they can hope is they get away with the skeletons in their closet.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!

[Justinstaysreading]

Just wasnt feeling it

[Reagan Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫- This book follows 3 friends (Jocelyn, Rowan, and Cadence) as they are on Jocelyn’s bachelorette trip in North Wales. Each of them have secrets they are hiding from the others and as the plot progresses they panic as they discover they have a stalker who’s slowly spilling the secrets each of them have covered up. Rotating between each of the girls as narrator and a fourth unnamed narrator for “Now,” this book shows the unraveling of friendships and how far they would go to hide from the truth. Ichaso has a knack for twisting plot lines that keep you invested and not knowing who to trust. The characters are developed and the plot keeps you hooked. It starts off a little on the slower side but once it gets going it flies by. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Chelsea Ichaso for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Cassandra Larsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this arc by Chelsea Ichaso. This book will be published 25 January 2025.

Three friends from highschool get together for a bachelorette trip to North Wales. Rowan, Cady and Jocelyn used to be best friends but cracks are starting to show in their friendship and everyone is hiding something.

Let me tell you this book took me for a spin. It had me guessing right from the start with the dual timelines. Every time I thought I cracked it, something happened and I had to think again.

This was a good read and I recommend it :)

I rated it 3/5 stars.

[Asha Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC.

Releases: January 28, 2025

THIS. BOOK.

I loved the dual timelines and the multiple pov’s. So many secrets were revealed and so much betrayal amongst a small group of friends. Rowan, Cady, and Jocelyn had so many secrets kept from each other that solving the murder was not only hard for the characters but for me as the reader. I had so many suspicions on who could have done what and I was still wrong in the end!

Such a good read!

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chelsea Ichaso's latest psychological thriller, "So I Lied," weaves an intricate tapestry of deception, friendship, and murder against the atmospheric backdrop of rural Wales. The novel masterfully explores how the weight of long-buried secrets can fracture even the strongest bonds, leading to devastating consequences. While Ichaso is known for her young adult thrillers like "Dead Girls Can't Tell Secrets" and "They're Watching You," this adult debut demonstrates her growing sophistication as a writer while maintaining her trademark sharp plotting and psychological insight.

Plot and Narrative Structure

The story follows three longtime friends - Jocelyn, Rowan, and Cadence - during what should be a celebratory bachelorette trip to Wales for Jocelyn's upcoming wedding. However, the festive mood quickly sours as buried resentments and shocking revelations surface. Ichaso employs a clever narrative structure, alternating between the present ("NOW") chapters that hint at a horrific discovery and the main timeline that shows how events spiral toward tragedy.

The author demonstrates particular skill in parceling out information, each revelation forcing readers to reevaluate their understanding of characters and events. The pacing is remarkably well-controlled, starting with subtle tensions that gradually escalate into full psychological warfare, culminating in a series of shocking twists that feel both surprising and inevitable.

Character Development and Dynamics

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its complex character work:

- Jocelyn: The bride-to-be whose perfectly curated life masks deep insecurities and a capacity for betrayal
- Rowan: A single mother haunted by the death of her child's father and struggling with a destructive compulsion
- Cadence: The seemingly unremarkable friend harboring the darkest secrets of all

The relationships between these women are expertly drawn, with years of shared history, resentment, and codependency creating a volatile emotional powder keg. Ichaso excels at showing how their friendship, while genuine, is built on a foundation of lies and manipulation.

Setting and Atmosphere

The Welsh setting proves to be far more than mere backdrop. Ichaso transforms the misty forests, ancient stone circles, and isolated bed-and-breakfast into characters in their own right. The author skillfully weaves local folklore about the gwyllgi (the black dog of Welsh legend) into the narrative, creating an atmosphere of creeping dread that perfectly complements the psychological suspense.

Themes and Subtext

The novel explores several interconnected themes with impressive depth:

- The nature of truth and lies in relationships
- The destructive power of unprocessed grief
- The thin line between love and obsession
- The question of whether we can ever truly know those closest to us

Particularly compelling is the exploration of how people can justify increasingly terrible actions through a warped sense of loyalty or justice.

Writing Style and Technical Execution

Ichaso's prose is lean and effective, with moments of lyrical beauty that never detract from the mounting tension. Her dialogue rings true, each character having a distinct voice that reveals their personality and background. The author shows particular skill in writing unreliable narration, keeping readers guessing about whose version of events to trust.

Areas for Improvement

While the novel is generally well-executed, there are a few minor issues:

- The early chapters could be more tightly focused, as some initial scene-setting feels repetitive
- A few plot points rely perhaps too heavily on coincidence
- Some readers might find the level of interconnection between past and present events slightly implausible

Impact and Resonance

"So I Lied" is more than just a thriller - it's a penetrating examination of female friendship, betrayal, and the lies we tell ourselves. The story lingers in the mind long after reading, forcing us to question our own relationships and the secrets we keep.

Final Verdict

"So I Lied" marks an impressive adult debut for Chelsea Ichaso, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars. While not without minor flaws, the novel succeeds admirably in its ambitions, delivering a psychologically complex thriller that keeps readers guessing until the final page.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a twisty thriller!
We follow our 3 main characters, Rowan, Cadence and Jocelyn. They have been friends for a long time and are travelling to Wales for Joceyln's bachelorette party where her aunt and uncle are fixing up an AirB&B. They seem to be a usual group of friends, but we learn that all 3 of them have secrets that would crush the others. And on top of that, the couple staying next door to them seem very shady, especially when belongings go missing and secrets are starting to be revealed.
I didn't really like any of the characters, but I don't think they were written to be likeable. Rowan who was kind of the wild child of the group stopped being the wild child when she had a daughter with Jocelyn's twin brother. But she didn't find out she was pregnant until after he died of a drug overdose despite not being addicted to drugs. Cadence is a middle school teacher, she's always been the mother of the group, and the more quiet introverted one. Cadence's dreams of becoming a college professor were dashed when she didn't make valedictorian, but she's mostly satisfied with where she ended up. Jocelyn is happily getting married. She's the glue of the friendship group, though with the death of her brother and the birth of her niece, she has recently kept her distance from Rowan. She blames Rowan for the death of her brother and subsequent decline in health of her mother.
The first half of this book was kind of slow moving. We follow the girls as they travel to the AirB&B and realize it's in the middle of nowhere instead of close to town. We follow them as they meet the neighbors in order to get a ride to the pub when their rental car doesn't work out. I was a little bit bored, but once the secrets started unraveling and the twists and turns started, I was definitely hooked. A lot of things happened I wasn't expecting at all.
This was a dual timeline book. Most of the book was split between the POVs of the 3 main characters and we are told whose POV we are in. This is the "before" timeline even though it takes up at least 75% of the book. In the "now," we are not told whose POV we are in. We just know "a friend" is dead and the other(s) are being interviewed and stuff. This is obviously to hide which friend has died, if one of them at all. The now parts were few and short, but gave just enough to make you want to get to the end to find out who died, why, how, all of the questions.
The ending really made a lot of sense and everything really came together well and made sense. I feel like I should have seen some of the things coming, but I didn't and I really liked that I wasn't able to guess things. The epilogue was probably the thing I was most not expecting, but it closed an open end I honestly wasn't expecting to be closed.
The audiobook narrator was really good! She narrated all the POV's, but gave them all a distinct voice. She really kept my attention and brought the story to life!
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot of the story:
Jocelyn, Rowan and Cadence have been friends since high school. Jocelyn is getting married and invites her two friends along on a trip to Wales for a bachelorette party where everything goes wrong and lies comes to light.

My thoughts:
First things first, calling these three girls "friends" is a wild stretch. Who needs enemies when your best friends act the way these girls did this entire book! Many times while reading, I thought to myself that they didn't even like each other. Constantly fighting, continuously snipping at each other, insults thrown, snide remarks. It was a toxic friendship to the max. There was so much drama amongst them that it was hard to even focus on the actual storyline.

Second thing, how do you book a trip to the "ocean" and end up in the middle of a tiny Welsh town in the woods? And one of them was a planner - okay. Like had an itinerary of what they were doing - did she not see there was no ocean in the surrounding area?

But those two gripes aside, the plot of this was crazy. Jocelyn is self-centered and thinks the world revolves around her. She's the one getting married to her college sweetheart Landon after all. You know, the same Landon that Cadence had secretly been with before and still loved obsessively to the point of her sneaking around behind Jocelyn's back and still sleeping with Landon. Then we have Rowan, who is a kleptomaniac who got pregnant in college by Jocelyn's twin brother, who broke up with her the day before he died of a "accidental overdose", leaving Rowan bitter and raising their daughter alone. A daughter that Jocelyn has nothing to do with.

So while all of this is coming to light, Magnus and Valentina are "stalking" them.

It was just a lot to unload.

The twist at the end was just...a little unbelievable to be honest. It was as it the author was like "let's just surprise them all!" and came up with a plot twist that did not fit at all. And Cadence's motives for her part in everything was forced and out of nowhere - sure, she wasn't a great person but what the hell just happened? I'm still trying to figure out how we got to where we got and why they played out the way they did.

Overall, it was a confusing and muddled book. I think the storyline had a lot of potential...just wish it had been a bit more believable.