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Between Lies and Revenge

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For fans of Megan Miranda and Sally Hepworth, BETWEEN LIES AND REVENGE by Hannah D Sharpe is a gripping debut of domestic suspense, where a daring jewel heist becomes a lifeline for two women entangled in a web of deceit, pushing them to the brink of trust and betrayal in their quest for redemption and survival.
Years after the death of her brother and the theft of her heirloom jewelry, ex-con Elle is on the run ... until she spots a stranger wearing a signature piece. Determined to take back what is hers, Elle stalks and befriends the woman, using her gemology skills as a ruse. Elle offers to appraise and clean the jewelry, replicating and replacing the pieces instead.

Olivia is drowning. She maxes out credit cards behind her financially-strict husband's back in order to pay for fertility treatments, keep her blackmailing father at bay, and maintain appearances with her wealthy friends and their cultist MLM social circles. When Olivia meets Elle, she finally feels understood ... and inspired.

With Elle's expertise and Olivia's connections, the two start a side-hustle by way of home jewelry appraisal parties. When this isn't lucrative enough, they develop the perfect con: switching rich housewives' gems with fakes. But their hidden truths get in the way of their success, and each other. Before their secrets bury them, they must confess their lies to one another and trust their final con will exact the revenge that'll secure their freedom, and their lives.

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2024

9 people are currently reading
5670 people want to read

About the author

Hannah D. Sharpe

1 book65 followers
Hannah D Sharpe is an American author who writes domestic suspense, and romance of the RomCom variety. She is a member of WFWA and SinC. Hannah is a nurse with a background in emergency medicine and nursing education, and is now thankful for alternative options as she navigates motherhood with three young kids … while working from home as an appeals and grievances nurse. She’s also very grateful her husband gets home from work a 2pm. In her (not so) free time, Hannah listens to and reviews lots of audiobooks, beta reads often, and is a reader for an acquisitions editor at an independent publisher. She lives in Northwest Washington with two sons (ages 5 and 9), a middle daughter (age 7), a supportive husband, and a moody cat, where they constantly juggle time and coordinate extracurricular activities. Her debut novel comes out in September, 2024.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
Profile Image for Kaceey.
1,528 reviews4,592 followers
August 18, 2024
3.5🌟
I’m all about trying debut authors. Sometimes it’s a homerun…other times it’s a strikeout. This book was right down the middle.

Told from 2 perspectives:
Elle
~ who always seems to be running from her past. Specifically, the vast number of secrets she keeps. Including the ones she hides from her husband. And as typically happens, it all catches up to her when she least expects it.

Olivia ~ whose biggest dream is to be a mother. However, her husband has other priorities. Including building an online gaming empire while staying off the grid.
Olivia is starting to see red flags…but will she do anything about it?

When the two women come in contact the lies and scheming reach a whole new level. And their lives will never be the same.

This book moves quickly with short chapters that add to the suspense. There were a few great twists along the way that genuinely surprised me.

My only issue: I having trouble keeping track of who was telling their story every time I started a new chapter. The characters were not distinct or developed enough that I could easily tell who was narrating the chapter. Frustratingly, forcing me to backtrack on my kindle to see exactly whose chapter I was in.

But I will definitely be reaching for the next book by this author. The premise was great and I feel she has the talent for that elusive home run! (That and the fact that she is an RN! Of course I’m going to support her efforts!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co.
Profile Image for Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme).
884 reviews980 followers
October 15, 2024
When all of my friends started gushing about Between Lies and Revenge, I had some serious FOMO hit me hard. Needless to say, they were 100% right. Both a thought-provoking premise and a twisty, riveting tale of domestic suspense, this little revenge story debut was beyond great—it was utterly stunning. From the onion-like plot that featured layers of mysteries to the cleverly crafted lies piled upon dark unexpected secrets, my head was spinning until the final timely reveal.

As for the characters, they couldn’t have been better. On top of two dynamite female main characters featured in the distinct identities of the dual POVs, there were plenty of individuals who I absolutely loved to hate on top of a few choice others who got my side-eye for sure. Olivia and Elle, however, were easily my favorites. Fully fleshed out and with depth to their personas, I was rooting for both as the plot rolled along. Okay. I do have to admit, I was slightly more Team Elle, but as the page count grew, so did my bond to Olivia as well.

The out-and-out best piece to the puzzle, however, were the jaw-dropping twists that set me back on my heels. At one point, I actually thought that my armchair sleuthing self had figured out a gigantic reveal. Boy, was I wrong. Shifting the story first in one direction and then another, the ground wobbled under my feet in the most delightful of ways. Added to the much loved scheming and well-hidden lies, it all gave a definite Hitchcockian slant to this multiple-sided con artist tale.

All in all, this mesmerizing rollercoaster ride won me over hook, line, and sinker. With an ever ratcheting pace and deliciously short chapters, the combination of all that I’ve listed was simply sublime. After all, it was an addictive, unforgettable trip into this author’s talented mind—one that had me flying through the pages from the tantalizing start until the perfectly plotted finale. I just hope that this was only the first voyage with Ms. Sharpe as my guide. Rating of 5 stars.

SYNOPSIS:

Years after the death of her brother and the theft of her heirloom jewelry, ex-con Elle is on the run...until she spots a stranger wearing a signature piece. Determined to take back what is hers, Elle stalks and befriends the woman, using her gemology skills as a ruse. Elle offers to appraise and clean the jewelry, replicating and replacing the pieces instead.

Olivia is drowning. She maxes out credit cards behind her financially-strict husband's back in order to pay for fertility treatments, keep her blackmailing father at bay, and maintain appearances with her wealthy friends and their cultist MLM social circles. When Olivia meets Elle, she finally feels understood...and inspired.

With Elle’s expertise and Olivia’s connections, the two start a side-hustle by way of home jewelry appraisal parties. When this isn't lucrative enough, they develop the perfect con: switching rich housewives’ gems with fakes. But their hidden truths get in the way of their success, and each other. Before their secrets bury them, they must confess their lies to one another and trust their final con will exact the revenge that’ll secure their freedom, and their lives.

Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.

























































































Trigger warning: infertility, controlling relationship, stalking, profanity, assault, pregnancy, mention of: abortion
Profile Image for Nikki Lee.
626 reviews578 followers
September 8, 2024
First off, I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS HER DEBUT! You won’t either. A twisty little revenge story is just what the doctor ordered! 🔥

Elle befriends Olivia. What Olivia doesn’t know is that she has something that Elle wants and will dish out lies to get it. As they get to know one another, they realize not all is what it seems.

As they take a business venture together, they both become so entangled in their own lies. We also get some sweet revenge, and boy do I enjoy my revenge best served cold!

I truly believe if I spill too much information it will spoil the read for you. This book is so much more than the obvious. Sharpe develops her characters so well! Well crafted characters are something that I deeply crave from books. You will know Elle and Olivia from the inside out, and boy, did I just LOVE that Elle!

Sharp, addictive and enthralling story that I couldn’t wait to finish! Twists galore! There’s suspense, wit, and a little romance sprinkled in too! Add Between Lies And Revenge to your TBR NOW! Hannah D Sharpe is probably one of the best debuts I’ve seen in a while. Don’t miss out!

Grateful for my gorgeous gifted ARC and many thanks to @hannahdsharpe, @risingactionpublishingco and @netgalley for the digital arc.
Release date September 3, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1,036 reviews87 followers
September 22, 2024
3.25 Stars

I enjoyed the twist, but the story didn't fully captivate me; it felt like a standard mystery/thriller.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Hannah D. Sharpe, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Profile Image for Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill.
814 reviews583 followers
June 30, 2024
Wow!! 😍 I can see why my besties 👯‍♀️ at @thrillerbookloversthepulse are loving this book!! ❤️First off… this cover!! Right?! Absolutely stunning!! I admit that was the very first thing that made me have FOMO about this book!! 🤩
Thank you @hannahdsharpe @risingactionpublishingco for this stunning gifted copy. 🥰🥰🥰

Pub date is September 3rd! 🥳

I can’t believe this is a debut!! This was such a twisted web 🕷 of cleverly crafted lies… As they started to unravel… I might have even gasped a time or two. 😳 ..Okay I definitely did! 😉 Here’s why I loved it..

Olivia and Elle have nothing in common… 🤷‍♀️… Or so I thought. 😳.. Elle is no stranger from living on the run 🏃‍♀️ and pulling cons. In fact.. she’s a pro. 😏

Olivia appears to have it all together… yet it’s all a face she puts on each day to make it through the day. Struggling with bills 💵…and a blackmailer..😳…

When Elle sees her missing necklace on Olivia’s neck… well she has ALOT of questions… Especially since it was taken off her neck when her brother was killed. 😳 She’s getting it back… no matter what…😏

This book was packed full of twists and turns!! I couldn’t put it down. Shocking secrets revealed one by one… DEFINITELY kept me flipping the pages late into the night!! 👏👏 I LOVED how this wrapped up! Revenge is sweet! 😉


I love finding fantastic debut authors….and this my friends is one!! I can’t wait to see what @hannahdsharpe comes out with next. 😍
Profile Image for Jayne.
1,048 reviews702 followers
August 26, 2024


TW: Infertility, IVF

This revenge thriller fan was instantly intrigued by the book's ultra-compelling plotline:

An infertile housewife drowning in credit card debt unwittingly pairs up with a savvy female ex-con to strike it rich with a dodgy MLM scheme.

I especially enjoyed how the storyline unfolded from the POVs of two deeply flawed female protagonists.

WHY NOT 5 STARS?
* I am not a fan of books showcasing crime lords
* I prefer PG-rated thrillers with no explicit sex scenes
* This 11-hour audiobook easily could have been an 8-hour book with the omission of repetitious text

I listened to the audiobook read by Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers.

I always enjoy full-cast audiobooks and both narrators did a fabulous job with the narration.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Heathers_readss.
879 reviews181 followers
September 12, 2024
What an amazing debut! If the description hadn’t told me this book was a debut I never would have guessed, the plot, pacing, character depth and growth, background story, supporting characters, everything was so thoroughly planned out and portrayed perfectly.

The plot alternates between our two main characters, Elle and Olivia. Elle is happily married, has a secret past and a sketchy skill set regarding theft and jewelry replication. Olivia is in an unhappy marriage whose husband is keeping secrets and involved in a shady business. She is desperate to have a baby and has gotten herself into huge debts with her many attempts of IVF.

The two women’s paths collide and as they work together towards different goals, their lives connect in unexpected ways they are soon to uncover.

I loved how both of the women are extremely flawed but refuse to lose hope in fighting for a better future. I loved watching their individual character development as they face some harsh truths and come to support each other and build a friendship despite opposing forces.

The audiobook is narrated by Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers and they both did a fantastic job of portraying each character. They were both enjoyable to listen to with soothing voices and great inflection and character perception.

Thank you to Hannah Sharpe and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

Publish date; September 3rd 2024
Profile Image for Lee.
1,062 reviews123 followers
May 23, 2024
Two women from completely different worlds become thrown together due to circumstances neither foresaw. Elle lost her brother who was her only true friend in the world, the only one she felt close to and had a strong bond with even when they were separated throughout their childhood. She makes her living as con artist and is currently on the run. While out one day Elle spots a woman who has the most beautiful necklace on, not only is it beautiful, it is hers and she wants it back.

Olivia looks like she has it all but unbeknown to many she is extremely unhappy, all she wants is a baby but numerous attempts of fertility treatment have so far proved unsuccessful, all done without her husbands knowledge. Her credit cards are all past their limits and her husband does not believe in financial credit. Elle befriends Olivia and offers to appraise the jewelry, soon this will lead to a relationship between the two that neither of them could have foreseen.

I thoroughly enjoyed going on this journey with these women. the premise is intriguing and before I knew it I was already half way through the book. The pacing is excellent along with the portrayal of each character. The book is told in dual POV's and this really works enhancing the story. Themes of friendship and revenge are strong throughout the book and I am sure if you give this one a try you too will be as engrossed as I was. Five stars.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for ♡Heather✩Brown♡.
1,058 reviews78 followers
October 12, 2024
Thanks to the all female-run company bosses who got this book into my hands. I love that you’re all about empowering women.

“Know your worth. Speak your mind. Be yourself. Don’t ever let anyone hold you back,” (392).

I haven’t been so excited to get back to a book in so long. I almost forgot what it felt like. That ball of excitement when you remember you still have more of a book to read. That’s what this book is.

I loved all the conning, manipulation, and stalking but I especially liked how the women took charge of their lives - pulling off a con or not. Learned to come into their power. The growth that is shown as the story unfolds is captivating to watch happen.

There’s also a few twists that I did not see coming. Jaw literally on the floor! Love a good twist like that. Expertly plotted with an ending you’ll find completely satisfying.

This was my first book by this author but it most def won’t be my last.

Elle is out for a run one day when she spots a woman wearing her jewelry. They’re one-of-kind so she knows instantly that the jewelry belongs to her. But how did this woman end up with it? Olivia is completely oblivious that she’s just become another pawn in Elle’s game. But what neither of them could have predicted was that they’d soon be in business together, as partners. They’re just that friend that each of them needs at this moment.

Highly recommend. Bravo!

Profile Image for Samantha (bookstasamm).
1,018 reviews86 followers
September 13, 2024
How was this book a debut? Sharpe weaved such a tangled web, and this captivating thriller kept me on edge from start to finish. The plot is intricately woven, with secrets, deception, and unexpected twists that made it difficult to put down. The characters are well-developed, each with their own complexities and hidden agendas, which added depth to the story.

What I particularly enjoyed was how Sharpe gradually revealed the layers of the plot. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another twist would emerge, keeping me guessing until the very end. The pacing was just right, maintaining suspense without feeling rushed. While the story was gripping, there were moments where the multiple storylines felt slightly convoluted, and I had to backtrack to follow certain details. However, this didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.

The dual perspectives of Elle and Olivia were brought to life in the audiobook narrated by Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers. They captured the suspense and tension that Sharpe builds throughout the plot. The narrators’ distinct voices helped to know whose chapter I was listening to, and their voices suited the character they were portraying and played really well off each other.
Overall, *Between Secrets and Lies* is a fantastic listen for fans of psychological thrillers. The combination of Sharpe's sharp writing and the engaging performance by the narrator makes this audiobook a suspenseful, satisfying experience.

Thank you to the author, Rising Action Publishing, and Dreamscape Media for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50).
2,043 reviews269 followers
June 12, 2024
Between Lies & Revenge
By: Hannah D. Sharpe

Olivia and Elle are two women who share an interesting connection which brings them together.

Told in alternate POV. Elle is on the run and is a con artist. Olivia is trying to have a baby and fertility treatments are expensive. Her husband wants to stop treatments.

Money, cons, jewelry, lies and more have these women teaming up together to each get what they want.

This story is long and you have to pay close attention to the details.

Thank you Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for this gifted eARC.
Profile Image for Susan Z (webreakforbooks) .
1,135 reviews118 followers
August 9, 2024
Between Lies and Revenge is a captivating heist thriller that brings two unlikely women together trying to save themselves from bad decisions and nefarious foes.

It's surprising, a bit twisty, with fantastic character development. The story kept me yearning for more and I read every spare minute I had (like literally got to work a little earlier than usual, so I sat and read in my car)

Highly recommended this entertaining novel.

Also, read the acknowledgements. They are so heartfelt ❤️
Profile Image for Bethany  Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks).
1,205 reviews34 followers
July 15, 2024
This book is all the rage right now with my thriller loving friends with @thrillerbookloversthepulse I am so appreciative to @hannahdsharpe @risingactionpublishingco for the gifted copy!

Liars, cheaters, stealers, blackmailers and con artists galore! This one was such a fun ride because when you mix all that together what you get is some intense and shocking moments! 😂 This was told in multiple points of views and I loved how each character seemed to be opposites….or were they?! 👀 This book was filled with twists, turns, toxic relationships, and extreme tension and when it was all said and done we were left with such sweet revenge. WOW!

Elle is a skilled con artist on the run. She is conniving and sneaky and good at what she does. Olivia is the opposite and much more sophisticated however struggles financially, with fertility, isn’t truly happy and she too has some important street skills….eh hmmm blackmailer. 😅 When Elle see Olivia wearing her stolen necklace she has a lot of questions. She will stop at nothing to get it back especially because it was taken at a very impactful event in her life…when her brother was killed! 😳 In the end, they are left with a relationship that will surprise everyone!
Profile Image for Cassi Reese.
3 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2024
Get ready to miss some sleep, this book was so exciting I stayed up way too late telling myself “just one more chapter”! Captivating, relatable characters and a intriguing plot make it a must read for anyone who loves a great suspense novel.
Profile Image for Kaila.
461 reviews11 followers
May 24, 2024
Elle and Olivia are two women from two different walks of life who come together to plan the ultimate scheme. The women start a jewelry cleaning and appraising business together, where they service wealthy housewives' jewelry and con them out of it in the process. Both women share this big secret, but they also have their own secrets. For most of her life, Elle has been a con artist and now she is currently on the run. Olivia does not have the perfect life and puts on a facade from day to day. She is racking up debt from fertility treatments in hopes of conceiving a baby, her marriage is on rocky grounds, and she is paying her blackmailing father for his silence. The women come together to form this plot that will be mutually beneficial to both parties. Elle will get her family's jewelry back, and Olivia will make the money she so desperately needs.

Between Lies and Revenge is an interesting con artist story, where two women come together in an unexpected way. I enjoyed the dynamic between the women and although some parts did seem a little flat, the events that took place were suspenseful enough to keep me reading through to the end. Having both Olivia's and Elle's POVs made the story even more interesting, along with the flashbacks into Elle's life. This book has the themes of friendship, loyalty, lies, and revenge, which made is a great read!

Thank you NetGalley, Rising Action Publishing Co, and Hannah D Sharpe for this ARC!
Profile Image for Jennifer *Nottoomanybooks*.
513 reviews62 followers
August 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this one! It involves Elle who is a con artist and on the run, and Olivia who is a woman desperately trying to have a baby. They lives intersect and they become “friends.” I loved the writing style, and the shocking twist for how these women’s lives are connected! It is a little slow going at the beginning, but once it picks up, it gets exciting and is hard to put down! The character development was top notch!
Profile Image for Rachel Crow.
66 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2024
If I could give the book 10 stars I would!! The first half of this book had me hooked but that last half was even better!! Lies and revenge was a suspense filled book that I couldn’t put down!! Two strangers who meet and become friends go on a journey scheming, and seeking revenge together.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!
Profile Image for Lindsay Barrett.
Author 2 books47 followers
September 3, 2024
I’m a sucker for a good con artist story, and this one absolutely delivers! This is a dual POV domestic suspense following two women: Elle, who has been on the run and conning for most of her life, and Olivia, who is forced to turn to the con game as cracks in her seemingly perfect marriage begin to show. Pulled into the plastic and performative world of MLM schemes together, these two women will slowly unravel the tangled web of deceit that connects them and are forced to decide exactly what price they’re willing to pay to maintain their lies (and lives).

This was an incredibly twisty ride that kept me guessing until the final page! Both FMCs were compelling characters and I loved the juxtaposition of their marriages, both rooted in lies but wholly separate entities, throughout the course of the book. The con is satisfyingly complex, with tension ratcheting throughout the read as the story unravels. I couldn’t put this book down, especially in Act III! If you like contemporary con artist stories, toxic MLMs, and twisted family dynamics, this book is for you!
Profile Image for blondethrillerbooklover.
216 reviews197 followers
October 20, 2024
4.5

This was such a great, twisty story! I will say that the beginning is a little hard to get into, but stick with it, it will start making sense. It’s about two women whose lives intersect and as the mystery unravels, more and more secrets come to light
192 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2024
This book is well-paced. Tension builds quickly and there are a few unexpected twists. I was definitely entertained throughout.

I quickly came to like the two main characters. Olivia, the seemingly innocent one, was easy to fall for. But I found myself liking and relating to Elle, the not so innocent one, just as quickly. Loved the dual narration, which really helped bring both characters to life.

NOTES:

At times the story felt complicated just for the sake of it. I found myself jumping back and re-reading parts to make sure I hadn't missed something...only to find there was no additional context. I'm OK with a complex plot so long as I'm given what I need to follow along and really immerse myself in the story. Generally speaking, I'm the type of reader that likes a lot of description so I can really lock in and visualize what l'm reading about. I think this book could've used a little more color in that sense as well.

I loved the premise of this book (sign me up for any type of jewel heist!) but I was hoping the story might unfolded in a more glamorous way. I guess this is a matter of personal preference - but worth noting.

OVERALL: A cleverly crafted, fast-paced story with great character development. I'm so impressed this is Sharpe's debut novel!

I recommend this book for fans of mysteries, women's stories and psychological thrillers.

3.8 rounded up to 4.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
Profile Image for Shauntelle (shauntellereads).
660 reviews64 followers
September 22, 2024
I'm shocked that this was Sharpe's debut novel!! This was such a great book! The premie hooked me immediately, and I felt that I would be in for a fast paced and thrilling ride. What a roller coaster!

Elle is an ex-con on the run. Olivia is drowning in debt as she maxes out credit cards trying for a baby with fertility treatments. The two most unlikely females united by a signature piece of jewelry. This book was such a journey. The character development was great, and i was fully invested in these women's lives. The plot was genius! It developed quickly and packed lots of action and twists. Then that ending?! Brilliant and epic!! I will definitely be following this author to see what's ahead. Her future in the literary world is bright!

The two narrators, Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers, perfectly brought these two main female characters to life and helped enhance this amazing read.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Hannah | things.han.reads.
217 reviews11 followers
May 17, 2025
I cannot believe this is the authors debut! I really enjoyed this book.

Elle and Olivia are strangers, yet more connected than either of them could imagine.

Told in dual perspective, this book moves quickly and is thrilling with twists and turns.

My only thought is that I don’t think the characters and relationships between them were built as strongly as they could be. It’s clear that there are intense feelings between each character but I missed the build up of those.

I am sincerely thankful to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Elaine.
1,426 reviews43 followers
September 3, 2024
Well, I have to say, this was INCREDIBLE for a debut novel!

In this one we have 2 main female characters, Elle and Olivia.
They are complete opposites!!

Elle grew up with a checkered past and some horrible experiences to go along with that. She lost her parents at a young age. Thankfully, she had her brother with her, but then she lost him too…and had to face the world alone!

Olivia seems to be the perfect wife…friend…etc. She’s married to a guy who’s well off, has the best of everything , and lots of well placed, seemingly FAKE friends who might stab her in the back at any moment…

When Elle sees her and realizes that she’s wearing a one of a kind, heirloom piece, that was part of her own collection ( and was supposed to be passed down to her from her families collection), well, she goes nuts!

Elle is married to a great guy and seemingly has a good life! But she has a lot of secrets. Some she has shared with him. Others…well…no.

Olivia is married to a jerk (and of course, I want to reach through the book and smack the guy!! ) She has some secrets of her own, but of a completely different nature.

So when the two of them decide to form an alliance to work together to HELP each other…. Well, that’s just GOLD!

🛑🛑 Stopping here so I don’t give anything away!! 🛑🛑

But this was terrific! And the fact that it’s a debut novel, well, that’s just unbelievable!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

*** This is due to be released tomorrow, 9/3/24, so look 👀 for it then! ***

#BetweenLiesAndRevenge by #HannahDSharpe and narrated beautifully by #MegPrice and #ImaniJadePowers.

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, and click ‘LIKE’ below!! 📚⭐️
Profile Image for Aurora Jay.
581 reviews39 followers
August 31, 2024
I was excited to read this debut thriller; two women form an unexpected alliance to con wealthy saleswomen through their MLMs (multilevel marketing)

The story is told via alternating chapters from Elle and Olivia’s POV. Elle has big secrets from her past and covets Olivia’s jewelry. Elle has a ton of debt, due to secretly going through IVF

I love a con-woman, but this actually felt more like a crime family suspense. The multilevel marketing was more of a platform for the real story to materialize. Unfortunately, I really dislike crime family dramas

I wanted to love the female duo. Elle has skills and a past, but she didn’t sparkle. She’s meant to be badass but is obsessed with her husband, ashamed of being vegan and lies about not liking wine (why?!)

Olivia only cares about getting pregnant and ignores all the giant red flags regarding her controlling husband and his weird blackmailing uncle

I’m grateful I was gifted the audiobook as it’s very well narrated. Each chapter was either told from Elle or Olivia’s POV and the narrators really brought the story to life

The big mid story twist was a doozy but the reactions were super understated. I did chuckle at one of the reveals, but again the reaction was too small. Considering the revenge aspect of the story, it was all pretty muted

Sadly, I struggled to feel any emotion for the women and really disliked all the crime stuff - just not for me

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review
Profile Image for Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm).
670 reviews23 followers
August 26, 2024
This is a suspenseful novel about two women, Elle and Olivia, who team up to pull off a jewelry heist in order to secure their financial stability. Elle, an ex-con, seeks revenge for the theft of her heirloom jewelry, while Olivia is struggling financially and emotionally. They form a partnership, using their skills and connections to deceive wealthy housewives and make some quick money. However, their hidden secrets and lies threaten to ruin their plan and their relationship. In order to survive, they must face their fears and trust each other in their final con.

It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel! The story flows effortlessly and grips you right from the start. Some secrets are cleverly kept hidden until the very end, while others are revealed early on to keep you hooked. The characters are flawed yet captivating, and their morally ambiguous decisions make it impossible not to root for them. The dynamic between the two women adds layers of complexity to the plot, and the ending is both satisfying and surprising.

The audiobook was absolutely phenomenal. The narrator skillfully brought the annoying characters to life with an annoying voice, while perfectly capturing the essence of each character. I was thoroughly entertained and left wanting more. Kudos to the brilliant choice of narrator!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for audio ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Suzi (Lil Bit Reads).
905 reviews63 followers
August 29, 2024
Elle is a con-woman on the run after a young life filled with crime and tragedy. Olivia is a debt-ridden housewife who keeps digging her financial hole deeper to pay for fertility treatments and pay off her blackmailing father. When the two women cross paths, Elle can’t help but notice a distinctive necklace around Olivia’s neck – an heirloom that was stolen from Elle years ago. Together, Olivia and Elle devise a scheme to take advantage of their wealthy friends’ snooty MLM circle, but will the secrets they’re each hiding foil their plan or bring them closer together?

This suspense novel gripped me right from the start, and it’s easy to see why my friends at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been buzzing about it! The plot is intricately crafted and both FMCs are compelling and well-developed. These women are morally grey and often unlikeable but also so fascinating! The story is so multi-layered between each of the women’s backstories and how they are interwoven as well as the heist they’re running together. I was definitely surprised by the big twist! A great read from this debut author!

The audiobook is narrated by Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers and they do an outstanding job! Whether hot mess express Olivia or cool condescending Elle, each was perfect for the character they voiced and added so much to my enjoyment of this story!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me an advance copy of this audiobook.
Profile Image for Shannon Conn.
110 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2024
" There's only one thing that can be found between lies and revenge." Wow!!! 🤯 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This is a debut novel ?! I would never guess this author hadn't written many prior. This was simply a fantastic book!!
This book follows a dual POV of two women who seemingly have nothing in common. Elle. a professional con woman, whom lost her family and her inheritance years ago. When Elle meets a woman, Olivia, who was now wearing pieces of her inheritance jewelry, she finds a way to befriend her to try to get back what she's owed. Olivia's life, however perfect it may seem, is far from perfect and after meeting Elle, things in this book take a drastic turn.
This book is filled with twists and turns, lies and revenge, shocking secrets, crazy female relationships,  and will keep you flipping the pages to know what happens next.
I would highly recommend this book and will be looking forward to whatever is next from Hannah D. Sharpe.  Thank you to Netgalley. Rising Action Publishing, and Hannah D. Sharpe for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Angel.
552 reviews67 followers
October 9, 2024
"Between Lies and Revenge" by Hannah D. Sharpe is general fiction and a bit of thriller. I liked this book because of the clever tight plot. It is told in two points of view which alternate. The beginning of each chapter tells who is talking.

I listened to the audiobook, which is 11 hrs at 1.0 speed. There are two narrators, Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers. Each one tells the story of one of the lead females. They are both excellent, but unfortunately, their voices are pretty similar, and I was pretty confused until after 50% of the way through.

So the story is about Elle and Olivia, who go into business together, selling, appraising, and fixing jewelry. Both have hidden secrets about their past. Also, Olivia really wants a baby, and she is in a lot of debt.

Characters - 4/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 3/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 4/5
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 31/8 = 3 7/8, rounded up to 4 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Hannah D. Sharpe for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
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