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A Lovely Lie
Is it better to believe a lovely lie or know the horrible truth?
1999: The night of their senior picnic, Scarlett Russo and her best friend Pepper were involved in a car accident that left two of their classmates dead. Afterward, they lied to the police, protecting each other from the consequences. Then Pepper left town and Scarlett never heard from her again…
Now: Twenty-two years later, Scarlett has buried that deadly incident deep in her mind and built a comfortable life for herself, working in a hotel on the west coast of Florida and raising her teenage son with her husband Vince. Her peace is disrupted, however, when Pepper’s daughter shows up with news of Pepper’s death. Zoey is twenty-one and studying to be an investigative journalist. She has a cryptic letter from Pepper addressed to Scarlett that alludes to the events of that fateful night and Pepper’s initial intentions to get an abortion. Now Zoey wants answers about her mother’s past. Who is Zoey’s father? And what really happened after the senior picnic? As Zoey continues to dig into the past, all of Scarlett’s buried secrets threaten to rise to the surface.
1999: The night of their senior picnic, Scarlett Russo and her best friend Pepper were involved in a car accident that left two of their classmates dead. Afterward, they lied to the police, protecting each other from the consequences. Then Pepper left town and Scarlett never heard from her again…
Now: Twenty-two years later, Scarlett has buried that deadly incident deep in her mind and built a comfortable life for herself, working in a hotel on the west coast of Florida and raising her teenage son with her husband Vince. Her peace is disrupted, however, when Pepper’s daughter shows up with news of Pepper’s death. Zoey is twenty-one and studying to be an investigative journalist. She has a cryptic letter from Pepper addressed to Scarlett that alludes to the events of that fateful night and Pepper’s initial intentions to get an abortion. Now Zoey wants answers about her mother’s past. Who is Zoey’s father? And what really happened after the senior picnic? As Zoey continues to dig into the past, all of Scarlett’s buried secrets threaten to rise to the surface.
312 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2024
88 people are currently reading
23567 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Lynn Hendricks
9 books440 followersJaime Lynn Hendricks is an author with nearly 20 years’ experience in print media and marketing. His Missing Wife is her first novel. She lives with her husband in New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 776 reviews
May 28, 2024
OUTLIER REVIEW
I never realized that there were so many homicidal high school seniors and killer college co-eds until I started reading ALL of the thrillers released over the past year or so! 😉
But, unfortunately-it has become an over used trope, and this is the latest.
1999: The night of their senior picnic (which is really the equivalent of a State Fair)
Scarlett Russo and her best friend Pepper were involved in a car accident that left two of their classmates dead.
(SEE the gorgeous book cover! )
When interviewed by Detective Logan, the day after the Picnic-they (and ALL of the other seniors) lied- protecting each other from the consequences.
Then Pepper left town and Scarlett never heard from her again.
Those interview transcripts are peppered throughout the book (pun intended), giving the book a very YA feel. I couldn’t believe how smug and DISRESPECTFUL they all were toward the Police!
Now: Twenty-two years later
Scarlett is now working in a hotel on the west coast of Florida and raising her teenage son with her husband. Nobody is more surprised than she is when Pepper’s daughter shows up with news of Pepper’s death.
Zoey is twenty-one and looking for answers after allegedly finding a cryptic letter from Pepper addressed to Scarlett that alludes to the events of that fateful evening-events which have been kept secret all of this time.
Zoey wants answers about what REALLY happened that night and WHO her father might be.
There are also chapters that share with us the conversation between mother and daughter that happened SIX WEEKS before Zoey showed up-setting the stage for the confrontation to come.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, with Zoey’s impolite conversations and actions ALSO contributing to the YA feel of the book-which is NOT something that I PERSONALLY enjoy.
These are not likable people.
The format WAS fun, BUT unfortunately- for the most part -the plot was pretty PREDICTABLE.
If you don’t mind a YA feel, or if you only read an occasional thriller-you might enjoy this one more.
3 ⭐️
Did DeAnn enjoy this book more?! A buddy read-be sure to check out her review for additional insight!
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank You to Scarlet for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.
I never realized that there were so many homicidal high school seniors and killer college co-eds until I started reading ALL of the thrillers released over the past year or so! 😉
But, unfortunately-it has become an over used trope, and this is the latest.
1999: The night of their senior picnic (which is really the equivalent of a State Fair)
Scarlett Russo and her best friend Pepper were involved in a car accident that left two of their classmates dead.
(SEE the gorgeous book cover! )
When interviewed by Detective Logan, the day after the Picnic-they (and ALL of the other seniors) lied- protecting each other from the consequences.
Then Pepper left town and Scarlett never heard from her again.
Those interview transcripts are peppered throughout the book (pun intended), giving the book a very YA feel. I couldn’t believe how smug and DISRESPECTFUL they all were toward the Police!
Now: Twenty-two years later
Scarlett is now working in a hotel on the west coast of Florida and raising her teenage son with her husband. Nobody is more surprised than she is when Pepper’s daughter shows up with news of Pepper’s death.
Zoey is twenty-one and looking for answers after allegedly finding a cryptic letter from Pepper addressed to Scarlett that alludes to the events of that fateful evening-events which have been kept secret all of this time.
Zoey wants answers about what REALLY happened that night and WHO her father might be.
There are also chapters that share with us the conversation between mother and daughter that happened SIX WEEKS before Zoey showed up-setting the stage for the confrontation to come.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, with Zoey’s impolite conversations and actions ALSO contributing to the YA feel of the book-which is NOT something that I PERSONALLY enjoy.
These are not likable people.
The format WAS fun, BUT unfortunately- for the most part -the plot was pretty PREDICTABLE.
If you don’t mind a YA feel, or if you only read an occasional thriller-you might enjoy this one more.
3 ⭐️
Did DeAnn enjoy this book more?! A buddy read-be sure to check out her review for additional insight!
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank You to Scarlet for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.
September 13, 2024
' 𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓼𝓽. 𝓕𝓾𝓷𝓷𝔂 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭, 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓼𝓽. 𝓐𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓹𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓽, 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓼 𝓶𝓮 𝓸𝓯𝓯. '
Wow! What. A. Ride.
I really enjoyed this book from page one and could not put it down until I was finished!
ೃ⁀➷ ꕤ 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚༉‧₊˚.
A Lovely Lie follows a woman named Scarlett. Set in the mid to southern west coast of Florida, she works at a local hotel. One evening while on the verge of clocking out a young woman, sassy, smug and flippant approaches her and introduces herself as Zoey Wilson- daughter to Pepper Wilson.
Pepper was Scarlett’s long time best friend during middle and high school as well as part of a tragic secret that took place at the end of their senior year.
Pepper is now dead and Zoey is here for answers about her mother’s past. If that wasn’t difficult enough, Scarlett is now married to Pepper’s high school boyfriend, Vince. Scarlett wants to leave the past secrets buried, but Zoey might not let that happen. The past is finally catching up to the future.
ೃ⁀➷ ꕤ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚༉‧₊˚.
This is such a fast paced thriller that I was ripping through the pages and couldn't seem to read fast enough. It alternates between the past and the present, feeding you breadcrumbs from the past while having you side-eye and question every character in the present.
I hated every character in the book when I first started reading - no one seems to have any great qualities and everyone has their own selfish agenda. But that is what made it so compelling, there was no taking sides- you just want to get to the truth!
Full of twists and turns and shocking moments! This is my first Jamie Lynn Hendricks novel and I will certainly be checking out her other work- highly recommend!
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Dual timelines
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Secrets/Lies/Betrayal
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Multiple, First Person POV
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Unlikeable Characters
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Page-Turner
Many thanks to NetGalley, Penzier Publishers and Jaime Lynn Hendricks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! What. A. Ride.
I really enjoyed this book from page one and could not put it down until I was finished!
ೃ⁀➷ ꕤ 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚༉‧₊˚.
A Lovely Lie follows a woman named Scarlett. Set in the mid to southern west coast of Florida, she works at a local hotel. One evening while on the verge of clocking out a young woman, sassy, smug and flippant approaches her and introduces herself as Zoey Wilson- daughter to Pepper Wilson.
Pepper was Scarlett’s long time best friend during middle and high school as well as part of a tragic secret that took place at the end of their senior year.
Pepper is now dead and Zoey is here for answers about her mother’s past. If that wasn’t difficult enough, Scarlett is now married to Pepper’s high school boyfriend, Vince. Scarlett wants to leave the past secrets buried, but Zoey might not let that happen. The past is finally catching up to the future.
ೃ⁀➷ ꕤ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚༉‧₊˚.
This is such a fast paced thriller that I was ripping through the pages and couldn't seem to read fast enough. It alternates between the past and the present, feeding you breadcrumbs from the past while having you side-eye and question every character in the present.
I hated every character in the book when I first started reading - no one seems to have any great qualities and everyone has their own selfish agenda. But that is what made it so compelling, there was no taking sides- you just want to get to the truth!
Full of twists and turns and shocking moments! This is my first Jamie Lynn Hendricks novel and I will certainly be checking out her other work- highly recommend!
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Dual timelines
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Secrets/Lies/Betrayal
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Multiple, First Person POV
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Unlikeable Characters
⋆｡˚ ⁀➷Page-Turner
Many thanks to NetGalley, Penzier Publishers and Jaime Lynn Hendricks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2024
OMGGG… Run🏃♀️ …Beg… Borrow.. or Steal… okay maybe not steal..😂… GET this book!! 🔥 Huge thank you to @scarletsuspense for this gorgeous gifted copy!! 🥰 It’s January… and I am 100% confident THIS is one of my favorite books of the year!! 😍Pub date is May 28th!! 🥳🥳🥳
Okay I have loved every @jaimelynnhendricksauthor book… BUT.. what does it say… when her last book was probably my favorite book of the year… BUT I am telling you this book may be even better in my opinion!! How is that even possible?? 🤷♀️😳 I swear @jaimelynnhendricksauthor is killing it!! 🔥🔥🔥 She is officially one of my very favorite authors. 🖤 Okay reel in the fan girl.😂 This is why…
It’s 1999…OH I wish…😂 … Senior picnic 🧺 night… small town vibes… high school 🏫 drama.. jocks.. cheerleaders 📣… goths… you know the scene… what you don’t know is what actually happened that night..🤔…and when you do find out… your mind will be blown!! 😳🤯🤯
I can’t even explain how PERFECT this thriller is.. I just can’t… the alternating timelines… the well developed characters… I was all in for every single second of this book! The twists kept coming.. 😳… but the absolute perfection was that they were perfectly timed.. subtle… in the way that… it could totally go down like that… 🤔..and definitely scream aloud WTFFFF 😳moments… there was one point… I REALLY wished I was buddy reading this because I was FLIPPING out about a twist! 😳😂🤯
This is definitely going to be a TOP 🔝 read for me this year!! I swear @jaimelynnhendricksauthor books just keep getting better and better!! 👏👏
Okay I have loved every @jaimelynnhendricksauthor book… BUT.. what does it say… when her last book was probably my favorite book of the year… BUT I am telling you this book may be even better in my opinion!! How is that even possible?? 🤷♀️😳 I swear @jaimelynnhendricksauthor is killing it!! 🔥🔥🔥 She is officially one of my very favorite authors. 🖤 Okay reel in the fan girl.😂 This is why…
It’s 1999…OH I wish…😂 … Senior picnic 🧺 night… small town vibes… high school 🏫 drama.. jocks.. cheerleaders 📣… goths… you know the scene… what you don’t know is what actually happened that night..🤔…and when you do find out… your mind will be blown!! 😳🤯🤯
I can’t even explain how PERFECT this thriller is.. I just can’t… the alternating timelines… the well developed characters… I was all in for every single second of this book! The twists kept coming.. 😳… but the absolute perfection was that they were perfectly timed.. subtle… in the way that… it could totally go down like that… 🤔..and definitely scream aloud WTFFFF 😳moments… there was one point… I REALLY wished I was buddy reading this because I was FLIPPING out about a twist! 😳😂🤯
This is definitely going to be a TOP 🔝 read for me this year!! I swear @jaimelynnhendricksauthor books just keep getting better and better!! 👏👏
July 4, 2024
After a long day at her hotel concierge job, Scarlett Russo is ready to clock out. Even more so when a smug, cheeky twenty-something sits down in front of her desk. Introducing herself as Zoey Wilson, she throws a bomb into the air when she elaborates that she’s Scarlett’s former best friend’s daughter. From twenty plus years ago. And that she’s discovered a letter from her mom, Pepper, that lays out some troubling questions.
The last thing that Scarlett wants to think about—or, worse still, discuss—is that final weekend before Pepper took off for New York when she made Scarlett lie through her teeth. After all, the memories of that fateful night of their senior picnic where two of their classmates died in a deadly car accident are bad enough. Worse still is the knowledge that she and Pepper were there—a fact that no one else knows thanks to the pairs’ pile of lies.
What Zoey wants to know most of all, however, is who her father is. Because there’s yet another surprise in store for Scarlett. Pepper is dead and she refused to tell Zoey anything about her father before it was too late. Given that the letter mentioned abortion and an accident that occurred just before she left which changed Pepper’s mind, Zoey naturally wants to know more.
Scarlett, however, made a promise to Pepper two decades ago. No one must know what happened that night. How will Scarlett keep a determined Zoey from discovering the truth? Who is Zoey’s father? And what really occurred at the senior picnic? If Scarlett isn’t careful, her carefully constructed world will unravel around her, leaving her marriage and life in tatters.
Oh. My. God. With methodical plotting, dynamite characters, and a whole pile of delicious secrets, A Lovely Lie was one heck of an epic rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. What got me the most, however, was the fast pace and intricate plot. Alternating between multiple POVs and dual timelines, it was clear that Hendricks must have had a spreadsheet to keep track of who knew what when. Through her masterful writing, I was over the moon as I happily learned all about what happened twenty-two years ago as it slowly imploded before me.
The cast of characters was simply divine. Between several I loved to hate and a few that had utterly perfect character arcs, their relationships and secrets were like a game of telephone unraveling. From their dysfunctional and toxic high school dynamics to the broken wreckage that resulted thanks to past, I got sucked into each of their personas. Well-developed and clearly formed, they all came alive before my very eyes. Granted, a few had slightly over-the-top, melodramatic behavior, but for characters still stuck in their teenage identities, even that fit the bill to a tee.
As for the best part of this sublime tale of domestic suspense, the twists and turns certainly took the lead in a very packed list. Each delivered in a subtle but perfectly timed way, they took the plot I suspected and morphed it into one that was truly unguessable. So much so, in fact, that I gave each and every character the side-eye as I looked on them with suspicion. After all, they each had their own motives and, as their lies and betrayals were unearthed, I simply held on for dear life. Already a huge fan of Ms. Hendricks, it was no surprise that this book was a slam dunk from the very first word until the very last. I mean, I finished it in one sitting. If that doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what will. So pre-order this puppy today. You definitely won’t regret it. Rating of 4.5 stars (upgraded).
Thank you to Jaime Lynn Hendricks, Penzler Publishing/Scarlet Suspense, NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 28, 2024
Trigger warning: unplanned pregnancy, infidelity, fatal car accident, drunk driving, mention of: teenage pregnancy
The last thing that Scarlett wants to think about—or, worse still, discuss—is that final weekend before Pepper took off for New York when she made Scarlett lie through her teeth. After all, the memories of that fateful night of their senior picnic where two of their classmates died in a deadly car accident are bad enough. Worse still is the knowledge that she and Pepper were there—a fact that no one else knows thanks to the pairs’ pile of lies.
What Zoey wants to know most of all, however, is who her father is. Because there’s yet another surprise in store for Scarlett. Pepper is dead and she refused to tell Zoey anything about her father before it was too late. Given that the letter mentioned abortion and an accident that occurred just before she left which changed Pepper’s mind, Zoey naturally wants to know more.
Scarlett, however, made a promise to Pepper two decades ago. No one must know what happened that night. How will Scarlett keep a determined Zoey from discovering the truth? Who is Zoey’s father? And what really occurred at the senior picnic? If Scarlett isn’t careful, her carefully constructed world will unravel around her, leaving her marriage and life in tatters.
Oh. My. God. With methodical plotting, dynamite characters, and a whole pile of delicious secrets, A Lovely Lie was one heck of an epic rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. What got me the most, however, was the fast pace and intricate plot. Alternating between multiple POVs and dual timelines, it was clear that Hendricks must have had a spreadsheet to keep track of who knew what when. Through her masterful writing, I was over the moon as I happily learned all about what happened twenty-two years ago as it slowly imploded before me.
The cast of characters was simply divine. Between several I loved to hate and a few that had utterly perfect character arcs, their relationships and secrets were like a game of telephone unraveling. From their dysfunctional and toxic high school dynamics to the broken wreckage that resulted thanks to past, I got sucked into each of their personas. Well-developed and clearly formed, they all came alive before my very eyes. Granted, a few had slightly over-the-top, melodramatic behavior, but for characters still stuck in their teenage identities, even that fit the bill to a tee.
As for the best part of this sublime tale of domestic suspense, the twists and turns certainly took the lead in a very packed list. Each delivered in a subtle but perfectly timed way, they took the plot I suspected and morphed it into one that was truly unguessable. So much so, in fact, that I gave each and every character the side-eye as I looked on them with suspicion. After all, they each had their own motives and, as their lies and betrayals were unearthed, I simply held on for dear life. Already a huge fan of Ms. Hendricks, it was no surprise that this book was a slam dunk from the very first word until the very last. I mean, I finished it in one sitting. If that doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what will. So pre-order this puppy today. You definitely won’t regret it. Rating of 4.5 stars (upgraded).
Thank you to Jaime Lynn Hendricks, Penzler Publishing/Scarlet Suspense, NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 28, 2024
Trigger warning: unplanned pregnancy, infidelity, fatal car accident, drunk driving, mention of: teenage pregnancy
January 17, 2024
Another book that elicited complex feelings from me, leaving me torn between a grade of 3 to 4 stars! It's not that I found it boring or that the main plot lacked direction. On the contrary, the pacing was at lightning speed. I was so intrigued, as if I were watching scandalous episodes of one of the real housewives from any other city. It's perfectly scandalous, and I could barely keep up with the relationship dynamics—who's cheating on whom, which character is the biggest liar, and who is the most despicable one? It was challenging to choose when you have too many unlikable characters rubbing you the wrong way! But my winner is undoubtedly Pepper!
The story unfolds in two timelines: 1999, where an accident claims the lives of two innocent students. Chloe Michaels, who was drunk driving, hit Julian Ackers that night. It was considered an accident, but there were so many plot holes that didn't get investigated, like extra tire traces that proved somebody else was there and corrupted the crime scene. Chloe was cheating on her boyfriend, Chris, with Julian, the goth kid. Why would she kill the guy she fell in love with, even though she was under the influence? What really happened that night?
In the present, we're introduced to Scarlett Russo, perhaps the only likable character in the book, yet she got on my nerves for staying married to a husband who impregnated another woman and acted like a college student with his infamous boys' nights. This is not the only juicy part of their dysfunctional marriage: Vince, her husband of the year, was her best friend Pepper's college sweetheart. After the tragic accident night that Scarlett knows the partial truth of (she was also intoxicated), Pepper forced her to keep secrets and lie to the officers during interrogation. The preceding night, Pepper disappeared into thin air to move to NY. Heartbroken Scarlett finds herself in a fling with Vince, which resulted in pregnancy, and was forced to marry him at a young age. Scarlett is now trapped in a marriage with her troubled bestie's ex for the sake of their son, Luke, who is about to leave for college.
Oh, and did I mention Scarlett's first love, Chris, is also Vince's best friend/business partner and has a close relationship with their son Luke? I know things turn into a telenovela episode, but this is just the beginning.
A surprising guest introduces herself to Scarlett: Pepper's daughter, Zoey, at the age of twenty-two, looking for the identity of her dad! What? Wasn't Pepper dating Scarlett's husband for four years, already told her she was pregnant but was planning to get an abortion? Unfortunately, Pepper is a good liar, and her very nosy daughter says she's a victim of a drunk driver! Not only is Zoey adamant about wrecking her house by searching for her biological father, but she is also intrigued by what happened on the tragic, so-called accident night that Scarlett lied about to save Pepper. Zoey has already alerted the detective who still has unanswered questions.
How long can Scarlett keep her lies to protect herself and the family she's built? What if everything is doomed to crumple into pieces? What if everything she believes in is cemented with betrayal, more lies, and dangerous truths that could ruin everyone's lives in her circle?
Well, I have to admit, some parts of the story were too far-fetched! I'm not sure some of the characters get what they deserve at the end, but to be fair, Jaime Lynn Hendricks is truly the queen of page-turners. I didn't expect to read this book at lightning speed. I found things unreliable, but still, I couldn't stop reading. It was addictive!
I'm rounding up 3.5 stars to 4, even though this book has tons of unlikable characters more despicable than a lot of politicians, and the conclusion has still too many "no freaking way" kind of exaggerated explanations. But I still enjoyed it as great popcorn reading that kept me on my toes and made me boo most of the characters, especially Vince.
I had a great, entertaining time. That's why I rounded up my grade, and I cannot wait to read another unputdownable page-turner by Jaime Lynn Hendricks!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers/Scarlet for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The story unfolds in two timelines: 1999, where an accident claims the lives of two innocent students. Chloe Michaels, who was drunk driving, hit Julian Ackers that night. It was considered an accident, but there were so many plot holes that didn't get investigated, like extra tire traces that proved somebody else was there and corrupted the crime scene. Chloe was cheating on her boyfriend, Chris, with Julian, the goth kid. Why would she kill the guy she fell in love with, even though she was under the influence? What really happened that night?
In the present, we're introduced to Scarlett Russo, perhaps the only likable character in the book, yet she got on my nerves for staying married to a husband who impregnated another woman and acted like a college student with his infamous boys' nights. This is not the only juicy part of their dysfunctional marriage: Vince, her husband of the year, was her best friend Pepper's college sweetheart. After the tragic accident night that Scarlett knows the partial truth of (she was also intoxicated), Pepper forced her to keep secrets and lie to the officers during interrogation. The preceding night, Pepper disappeared into thin air to move to NY. Heartbroken Scarlett finds herself in a fling with Vince, which resulted in pregnancy, and was forced to marry him at a young age. Scarlett is now trapped in a marriage with her troubled bestie's ex for the sake of their son, Luke, who is about to leave for college.
Oh, and did I mention Scarlett's first love, Chris, is also Vince's best friend/business partner and has a close relationship with their son Luke? I know things turn into a telenovela episode, but this is just the beginning.
A surprising guest introduces herself to Scarlett: Pepper's daughter, Zoey, at the age of twenty-two, looking for the identity of her dad! What? Wasn't Pepper dating Scarlett's husband for four years, already told her she was pregnant but was planning to get an abortion? Unfortunately, Pepper is a good liar, and her very nosy daughter says she's a victim of a drunk driver! Not only is Zoey adamant about wrecking her house by searching for her biological father, but she is also intrigued by what happened on the tragic, so-called accident night that Scarlett lied about to save Pepper. Zoey has already alerted the detective who still has unanswered questions.
How long can Scarlett keep her lies to protect herself and the family she's built? What if everything is doomed to crumple into pieces? What if everything she believes in is cemented with betrayal, more lies, and dangerous truths that could ruin everyone's lives in her circle?
Well, I have to admit, some parts of the story were too far-fetched! I'm not sure some of the characters get what they deserve at the end, but to be fair, Jaime Lynn Hendricks is truly the queen of page-turners. I didn't expect to read this book at lightning speed. I found things unreliable, but still, I couldn't stop reading. It was addictive!
I'm rounding up 3.5 stars to 4, even though this book has tons of unlikable characters more despicable than a lot of politicians, and the conclusion has still too many "no freaking way" kind of exaggerated explanations. But I still enjoyed it as great popcorn reading that kept me on my toes and made me boo most of the characters, especially Vince.
I had a great, entertaining time. That's why I rounded up my grade, and I cannot wait to read another unputdownable page-turner by Jaime Lynn Hendricks!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers/Scarlet for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
February 23, 2024
Anything that can make me like an irrevocably loatheable character? Solid win.
A Lovely Lie is insane because I thought I had it figured out. I felt I knew who the bad guy was (literally all of them when I first started reading). I loathed almost every character, and that's difficult for me to want to continue? Disliking every character was a constant until about 40% of the way through!!
But that ending? Fantastic really. Not even for the reveal - just for the level of visceral disgust created in me by this author's imagination. *Chef's kiss* - That might sound crazy to enjoy being disgusted, but I just was?! I enjoyed how gross she left the characters who stayed together, and while I was obviously happy for the 'good guys,.' You can't tell me some small part of you doesn't also relish knowing there are people actually that crazy IRL? It somewhat makes me feel better about anything I've ever done - because nothing will top horrendous behavior from people like this!
**Thank you to Penzler Publishers, Scarlet & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
A Lovely Lie is insane because I thought I had it figured out. I felt I knew who the bad guy was (literally all of them when I first started reading). I loathed almost every character, and that's difficult for me to want to continue? Disliking every character was a constant until about 40% of the way through!!
But that ending? Fantastic really. Not even for the reveal - just for the level of visceral disgust created in me by this author's imagination. *Chef's kiss* - That might sound crazy to enjoy being disgusted, but I just was?! I enjoyed how gross she left the characters who stayed together, and while I was obviously happy for the 'good guys,.' You can't tell me some small part of you doesn't also relish knowing there are people actually that crazy IRL? It somewhat makes me feel better about anything I've ever done - because nothing will top horrendous behavior from people like this!
**Thank you to Penzler Publishers, Scarlet & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
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May 18, 2024
Secrets and lies are the name of the game in this gripping and dramatic book! A Lovely Lie kept me on my toes and turning the pages. There is no love like first love, unless of course that first love is as toxic as they come! This book is told in two timelines and with the use of police interviews which made for a thrilling and addictive read.
1999- Scarlett and her best friend Pepper were in a car accident where two of the classmates did not survive. Upon questioning, they lied to the police and then Pepper left town.
Twenty years later, Zoey, Pepper's daughter comes to town looking for answers. Her appearance throws Scarlett who is married to Vince, Pepper's high school sweetheart into a tailspin. Zoey wants to know who her father is in addition to wanting to know about the letter addressed to Scarlett that she found in her dead mother's belongings.
Oh, what a tangled web we weave....
Was anyone in this book telling the truth? Secrets and lies swirled around these characters. You can't escape the past, and that is evident in this book. Zoey arriving in town is a catalyst for many of the characters. After they pick their jaws up off the floor, things get very interesting.
This was a captivating tale which made for fun reading. I loved the drama, the tension, the deception, the secrets, the lies, the twists, and the revelations. Jaime Lynn Hendricks delivered in this mystery thriller. Plus, the characters are quite an unlikeable bunch. There were characters that I liked such as Luke, Scarlett, and Vince's son. There was one that I felt somewhat sorry for but for the most part, they are a mess. I enjoyed booing and hissing at them. Just when I thought that they couldn't be more loathsome, they proved me wrong.
Gripping well thought out, well written, and dramatic.
Thank you to Penzler Publishers | Scarlet and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
1999- Scarlett and her best friend Pepper were in a car accident where two of the classmates did not survive. Upon questioning, they lied to the police and then Pepper left town.
Twenty years later, Zoey, Pepper's daughter comes to town looking for answers. Her appearance throws Scarlett who is married to Vince, Pepper's high school sweetheart into a tailspin. Zoey wants to know who her father is in addition to wanting to know about the letter addressed to Scarlett that she found in her dead mother's belongings.
Oh, what a tangled web we weave....
Was anyone in this book telling the truth? Secrets and lies swirled around these characters. You can't escape the past, and that is evident in this book. Zoey arriving in town is a catalyst for many of the characters. After they pick their jaws up off the floor, things get very interesting.
This was a captivating tale which made for fun reading. I loved the drama, the tension, the deception, the secrets, the lies, the twists, and the revelations. Jaime Lynn Hendricks delivered in this mystery thriller. Plus, the characters are quite an unlikeable bunch. There were characters that I liked such as Luke, Scarlett, and Vince's son. There was one that I felt somewhat sorry for but for the most part, they are a mess. I enjoyed booing and hissing at them. Just when I thought that they couldn't be more loathsome, they proved me wrong.
Gripping well thought out, well written, and dramatic.
Thank you to Penzler Publishers | Scarlet and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
September 15, 2024
A lie can be powerful and life-altering. A lie can change the path to one's future and cast a permanent shadow causing a life of regret, fraud, and doubt. A Lovely Lie is centered around deception, fear, and envy. It’s soapy and entertaining with elements of suspense and intense emotion. I enjoyed the alternating timelines and different perspectives as secrets were gradually revealed. “I’m as fake as a three-dollar bill, but the rage is real.” Rage ignited by jealousy proves to be lethal as the past meets the present. The narration masterfully brought the story to life adding intensity and mystery to this twisted and sorted story. Thank you, NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for my audiobook.
August 9, 2024
High School drama from the past comes hurdling forward when the group unexpectedly reunites 30 years later. Filled with all the surprises, youthful shenanigans, and mid-life crises you can imagine. A few shocks along the way about who certain people really are, what actually happened at the senior event, and who was really good versus bad. Twisty and complicated, bur rather a case of a liar and an perhaps a game of telephone gone wrong. Strong example of a minor misunderstanding, gossip, and dreams of a different line, and how they can lead to extraordinary consequences. Solid writing. My primary niggle, and it has nothing to do with the quality of the work per se, but the bad guy/girl kinda gets away with some things, so the payoff wasn't as powerful as I prefer. Recommended!
February 12, 2024
Why did I pick this book up late in the day? I should know by now that anything that this author writes is going to be binge worthy and needs to be read in a single sitting. If I hadn’t been so tired ai would have stayed up all night and finished it. As it was, I polished the second half off the next day. What a page turner! If you are looking for a great thriller, this is the book for you.
Lies told 22 years ago are coming back to haunt this awful bunch of characters. In their senior year, 2 classmates were killed, and others made up stories about what happened to save their own bacons. But now, questions are being asked and the truth is always going to come out.
At times there was not one character in this story that I actually liked. That changed through the book, but still, they really were nasty. So many lies, so many selfish and manipulating people. Truely awful people. The ending was perfect!
Thanks so much to Penzler Publishing, Scarlet and Thriller Book Promotions for my advanced copy of this book to read. Out on May 28th, a must read.
Lies told 22 years ago are coming back to haunt this awful bunch of characters. In their senior year, 2 classmates were killed, and others made up stories about what happened to save their own bacons. But now, questions are being asked and the truth is always going to come out.
At times there was not one character in this story that I actually liked. That changed through the book, but still, they really were nasty. So many lies, so many selfish and manipulating people. Truely awful people. The ending was perfect!
Thanks so much to Penzler Publishing, Scarlet and Thriller Book Promotions for my advanced copy of this book to read. Out on May 28th, a must read.
May 13, 2024
Jaime Lynn Hendricks' upcoming thriller, A LOVELY LIE, is the anti-slow burn popcorn thriller of the year. I said what I said. This book had me racing through to the finish line without any pause or hesitation.
The story is centered around Scarlett Russo and the secrets she kept buried with her old high school best friend Pepper. Scarlett has long since moved on from her senior year secrets with her husband Vince and their son Luke. However, when Pepper's daughter shows up asking for answers, specifically trying to get to the bottom of something she has always wondered, Scarlett's life begins to unravel. Pepper has died and her daughter Zoey wants to know what Pepper was hiding from her. As Zoey begins to dive into her mother and Scarlett's lives, Scarlett begins to wonder how long she can keep up the charade. What happened at their senior picnic that Scarlett wants to keep buried at all costs?
This book was so juicy and fun. I had such a blast getting to see Scarlett and Pepper's journey as teenagers and I loved to hate almost every single person here. This is juicy juicy JUICY fun. A LOVELY LIE is the perfect popcorn thriller to dive into when you are looking for something fast-paced. This will be the PERFECT beach read this summer!
The story is centered around Scarlett Russo and the secrets she kept buried with her old high school best friend Pepper. Scarlett has long since moved on from her senior year secrets with her husband Vince and their son Luke. However, when Pepper's daughter shows up asking for answers, specifically trying to get to the bottom of something she has always wondered, Scarlett's life begins to unravel. Pepper has died and her daughter Zoey wants to know what Pepper was hiding from her. As Zoey begins to dive into her mother and Scarlett's lives, Scarlett begins to wonder how long she can keep up the charade. What happened at their senior picnic that Scarlett wants to keep buried at all costs?
This book was so juicy and fun. I had such a blast getting to see Scarlett and Pepper's journey as teenagers and I loved to hate almost every single person here. This is juicy juicy JUICY fun. A LOVELY LIE is the perfect popcorn thriller to dive into when you are looking for something fast-paced. This will be the PERFECT beach read this summer!
May 28, 2024
I can't believe how fast I finished this book! The suspense kept me wanting to know what would happen next and I just couldn't stop listening to the audiobook! This thriller has everything I want in this genre: betrayal, murder, manipulation, obsession, affairs, and even more!
I especially liked how this book featured a few POVs and a dual timeline: present and year 1999, the year after high school graduation. Scarlett and her closest friend Pepper were involved in a car accident that took the lives of two of their classmates in 1999, on the eve of their big senior picnic. They lied to the police to keep each other save. After Pepper left town, they lost contact with one another. Now Scarlett is married to Vince, parenting their son Luke, and working at a hotel. But when Zoey, Pepper's daughter, arrives in town, she finds out who her father is and learns that Pepper has passed away. Everything that they attempted to hide for so long is now becoming revealed.
There was a great mix of likeable and dislikeable characters that were crucial to the plot of this book. Each POV provides hints as to who did what, and everyone engaged was blaming the other. I really enjoyed how the supporting characters also played significant roles there.
Hillary Huber narrated this book, and she did an incredible job! She fit this book perfectly. I listened to this audio book in a flash and enjoyed every minute. It was such a pleasure to listen to her lovely voice! She was flawless in bringing out the right feelings in each character.
I highly recommend it for every fan of thrillers. I will absolutely keep a look out for this author's future works!
I especially liked how this book featured a few POVs and a dual timeline: present and year 1999, the year after high school graduation. Scarlett and her closest friend Pepper were involved in a car accident that took the lives of two of their classmates in 1999, on the eve of their big senior picnic. They lied to the police to keep each other save. After Pepper left town, they lost contact with one another. Now Scarlett is married to Vince, parenting their son Luke, and working at a hotel. But when Zoey, Pepper's daughter, arrives in town, she finds out who her father is and learns that Pepper has passed away. Everything that they attempted to hide for so long is now becoming revealed.
There was a great mix of likeable and dislikeable characters that were crucial to the plot of this book. Each POV provides hints as to who did what, and everyone engaged was blaming the other. I really enjoyed how the supporting characters also played significant roles there.
Hillary Huber narrated this book, and she did an incredible job! She fit this book perfectly. I listened to this audio book in a flash and enjoyed every minute. It was such a pleasure to listen to her lovely voice! She was flawless in bringing out the right feelings in each character.
I highly recommend it for every fan of thrillers. I will absolutely keep a look out for this author's future works!
May 25, 2024
I listened to about the first half of this on audiobook and read the second half or so in kindle form. I’m almost never patient enough to finish an audiobook if I have options (patience is far from my strong suit). I liked this book quite a bit. While I didn’t find the twists to be super twisty I loved the format and liked the wild turns even if I could see where we were going. I did think the characters were all a little flat (except Zoey, she got rounded out by the end) and fit into their trope with little else. Most of the characters weren’t likable in some way or another and I liked that there were no purely good or purely bad characters (well ok, a couple were pretty irredeemable). Scarlett is having a normal day at work when in walks Zoey and everything changes. Zoey introduces herself as Scarlett’s high school best friend Pepper’s daughter. Scarlett is blown away. She hasn’t seen Scarlett since a horrible night she’s tried to forget about, but all of them are about to learn that secrets don’t stay hidden forever.
May 30, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
February 10, 2024
I love books that take place present day but flashback and teach us that our past is never truly behind us. A Lovely Lie kept me guessing and had me completely enthralled. The characters were complex and the relationships even more so! I had no idea who I could trust, who was reliable, and who (if anyone) I even liked!
The dynamics among Pepper, Scarlett, and Vince were baffling and made for stellar reading. How Vince went from Pepper's first love and high school sweetheart to Scarlett's husband was nothing short of thrilling. It made me sad for Scarlett that her life was built in Pepper's shadow and that besides her son, she didn't have much fulfillment or happiness in life. These deeper seeded emotions and character depths really drew me into the story and kept me guessing about what was really going on.
Zoey was a conundrum to me. There were chapters she annoyed the heck out of me and other times when I was cheering her on, loving her tenacity. She was an integral part of the story, and ultimately she won me over.
Hendricks wove so much detail and nuance into her characters that admittedly, I overlooked things I normally wouldn't. I loved hopping on board for the ride and allowing myself to be surprised with every turn. I got totally swept up in this read and enjoyed every minute!
This was my first novel by Hendricks and let me tell you, the hype is real! I've heard nothing but glowing reviews for Finding Tessa and I'll be excited to check that one out next!
A huge thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions for getting me to finally read Hendricks and a thank you to Scarlet for the copy.
The dynamics among Pepper, Scarlett, and Vince were baffling and made for stellar reading. How Vince went from Pepper's first love and high school sweetheart to Scarlett's husband was nothing short of thrilling. It made me sad for Scarlett that her life was built in Pepper's shadow and that besides her son, she didn't have much fulfillment or happiness in life. These deeper seeded emotions and character depths really drew me into the story and kept me guessing about what was really going on.
Zoey was a conundrum to me. There were chapters she annoyed the heck out of me and other times when I was cheering her on, loving her tenacity. She was an integral part of the story, and ultimately she won me over.
Hendricks wove so much detail and nuance into her characters that admittedly, I overlooked things I normally wouldn't. I loved hopping on board for the ride and allowing myself to be surprised with every turn. I got totally swept up in this read and enjoyed every minute!
This was my first novel by Hendricks and let me tell you, the hype is real! I've heard nothing but glowing reviews for Finding Tessa and I'll be excited to check that one out next!
A huge thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions for getting me to finally read Hendricks and a thank you to Scarlet for the copy.
March 3, 2024
This was a very predictable read. The big twists which I’m sure were meant to make me gasp instead had me saying “oh. Okay, saw that coming.”
I’m not sure there were any likable characters here, which you don’t always have to have. But it can be difficult to enjoy the read itself when you don’t enjoy any of the characters.
For starters, Scarlett. I lost count of the times she referred to her son as “my boy.” Which is all fine and good, but excessive. She also can’t seem to mention or interact with her husband without harping on his past mistakes. Now I’m not saying she’s wrong, he’s definitely a scum bag, but again it’s repetitive.
Zoey was really forgettable to me. I had a hard time even remembering her name to write this review. Her character felt very minor, when she was really central to unraveling the story.
The flashbacks we get at the end of each chapter were a bit boring to me. I don’t think they added much to the already pretty simple story. Overall, I would read this authors work again but I don’t think this is a book I’d add to my list of recommendations.
I’m not sure there were any likable characters here, which you don’t always have to have. But it can be difficult to enjoy the read itself when you don’t enjoy any of the characters.
For starters, Scarlett. I lost count of the times she referred to her son as “my boy.” Which is all fine and good, but excessive. She also can’t seem to mention or interact with her husband without harping on his past mistakes. Now I’m not saying she’s wrong, he’s definitely a scum bag, but again it’s repetitive.
Zoey was really forgettable to me. I had a hard time even remembering her name to write this review. Her character felt very minor, when she was really central to unraveling the story.
The flashbacks we get at the end of each chapter were a bit boring to me. I don’t think they added much to the already pretty simple story. Overall, I would read this authors work again but I don’t think this is a book I’d add to my list of recommendations.
January 8, 2024
Wowza! This was one of my favorite reads in 2023! I absolutely loved every twisty moment, the multiple POV, and dual timelines. Every time I thought I figured it out, in normal Hendrick’s fashion you are thrown for loop after loop. You are definitely not going to want to missing this one because it is on fire!
I think this one pushed its way to the top for my favorite book by Hendricks but Finding Tessa still has a special place in my heart!
****Many thanks to Jaime Lynn Hendricks for the signed ARC!
I think this one pushed its way to the top for my favorite book by Hendricks but Finding Tessa still has a special place in my heart!
****Many thanks to Jaime Lynn Hendricks for the signed ARC!
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August 15, 2024It’s been a minute since I dipped my toe into a psychological thriller and I enjoyed this one! An accident that kills two teens the day after graduation is not all that it seems, but what really happened? This story goes back and forth in narration from the different parties involved in the mystery, as well as going between the past and the present. I love this type of storytelling, and I also loved hearing the voices of the teenagers, and then the people they became 20 years after this “lovely lie.” Overall, this is an intriguing story of the lies people tell and the ways people manipulate one another. – Michelle V.
May 29, 2024
So much ugh. 🙄
March 1, 2024
This book was GOOD!!!
An accident after a senior graduation party in 1999… and two girls (Pepper & Scarlett) who walked away carrying secrets. After the party, the best friends stopped all communication.
Until now, when a young girl comes and finds Scarlett, and tells her she is the daughter of Pepper, and seeking answers as to who is her father & what happened the night of that party?
When I tell you, the twists and turns just kept coming! I absolutely devoured this story!!!
Short chapters
Multiple POV
Very fast paced
Flashbacks to police transcripts and events during/after the party in 1999
Do yourself a favor and add this book to your TBR!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for my advanced copy
An accident after a senior graduation party in 1999… and two girls (Pepper & Scarlett) who walked away carrying secrets. After the party, the best friends stopped all communication.
Until now, when a young girl comes and finds Scarlett, and tells her she is the daughter of Pepper, and seeking answers as to who is her father & what happened the night of that party?
When I tell you, the twists and turns just kept coming! I absolutely devoured this story!!!
Short chapters
Multiple POV
Very fast paced
Flashbacks to police transcripts and events during/after the party in 1999
Do yourself a favor and add this book to your TBR!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for my advanced copy
August 9, 2024
I had high hopes for this one and it ended up just being okay for me. I was underwhelmed throughout the entire book and was not shocked at really any of the twists. If you are new to thrillers then I think this would be a great book to read. As an avid thriller reader this was not the twistiest craziest thriller I’ve ever read. If you’re a seasoned thriller reader you could probably skip this one but if you are newer to the genre then absolutely read this. I wish I could’ve read it a few years back before I really dove into the world of thrillers.
May 24, 2024
A Lovely Lie had me on the edge of my seat! Who can you trust? Your best friend? Your husband? Your child? You’ll find out! I love and multiple POV’s, the twists and all the jaw dropping moments. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a good twisty thriller! Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review!!
May 28, 2024
This book was GOOD!!!
An accident after a senior graduation party in 1999… and two girls (Pepper & Scarlett) who walked away carrying secrets. After the party, the best friends stopped all communication.
Until now, when a young girl comes and finds Scarlett, and tells her she is the daughter of Pepper, and seeking answers as to who is her father & what happened the night of that party?
When I tell you, the twists and turns just kept coming! I absolutely devoured this story!!!
Short chapters
Multiple POV
Very fast paced
Flashbacks to police transcripts and events during/after the party in 1999
Do yourself a favor and add this book to your TBR!!
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for my advanced copy!
An accident after a senior graduation party in 1999… and two girls (Pepper & Scarlett) who walked away carrying secrets. After the party, the best friends stopped all communication.
Until now, when a young girl comes and finds Scarlett, and tells her she is the daughter of Pepper, and seeking answers as to who is her father & what happened the night of that party?
When I tell you, the twists and turns just kept coming! I absolutely devoured this story!!!
Short chapters
Multiple POV
Very fast paced
Flashbacks to police transcripts and events during/after the party in 1999
Do yourself a favor and add this book to your TBR!!
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for my advanced copy!
March 31, 2024
A two decade old secret resurfaces, upending Scarlett's rather perfect life.
Twenty years ago, Scarlett and Pepper were BFFs. The night of the senior picnic they witness a horrible accident but never tell a soul. Shortly after Pepper leaves town, and Scarlett never hears from her again. Now, Pepper's daughter shows up and starts digging into the night of the accident.
I absolutely loved this book. A "lovely lie" turned into a lifetime of secrets and lies. When the truth comes crashing down, you can't turn away. The ending was absolutely perfect.
Bring on the popcorn and get ready to spend your day on the couch.
Twenty years ago, Scarlett and Pepper were BFFs. The night of the senior picnic they witness a horrible accident but never tell a soul. Shortly after Pepper leaves town, and Scarlett never hears from her again. Now, Pepper's daughter shows up and starts digging into the night of the accident.
I absolutely loved this book. A "lovely lie" turned into a lifetime of secrets and lies. When the truth comes crashing down, you can't turn away. The ending was absolutely perfect.
Bring on the popcorn and get ready to spend your day on the couch.
January 12, 2024
A Lovely Lie, a thriller novel by Jaime Lynn Hendricks-
My rating is a GENEROUS 2 stars.
This is the only novel that I’ve ever read by this author. This was marketed as an “intricately twisted thriller,” though I didn’t find that to be true. Twisted? Yes. Intricate? Not necessarily. Thriller? Hardly.
When I think of a thriller novel, I imagine that it should be a gripping, page-turning experience that gets my heart rate pumping while I try to figure out the plot. This book elicited none of those feelings from me. There were a lot of “moving parts” to this plot and it resulted in a slowly paced story that was severely disappointing.
There is a large cast of characters and it’s difficult to pinpoint which characters to focus on. The primary characters are Scarlett and Zoey. Zoey shows up at Scarlett’s place of employment one day, stating she’s the daughter of Pepper, Zoey’s high school best friend whom she lost contact with right after graduation. (22 years ago.) Zoey informs Scarlett that her mother recently passed away and she had found a letter addressed to Scarlett in Pepper’s belongings. The letter references an accident that happened just before their graduation. Zoey has several questions for Scarlett, who is panicked at the mention of the accident all those years ago…a night she’s been trying to forget for the last 22 years.
This book was all over the place. The characters are memorable but only because they were all insufferable, with the exception of Luke. He rallies at the end and literally saves the day for his mom, Scarlett. The timeline jumps back and forth from present day to 22 years ago, with a mishmash of unbelievable events. There was zero suspense and a few attempts at plot twists that were so predictable, they failed.
I’m salty. This novel was a waste of time and I should have DNF’d it.
I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
My rating is a GENEROUS 2 stars.
This is the only novel that I’ve ever read by this author. This was marketed as an “intricately twisted thriller,” though I didn’t find that to be true. Twisted? Yes. Intricate? Not necessarily. Thriller? Hardly.
When I think of a thriller novel, I imagine that it should be a gripping, page-turning experience that gets my heart rate pumping while I try to figure out the plot. This book elicited none of those feelings from me. There were a lot of “moving parts” to this plot and it resulted in a slowly paced story that was severely disappointing.
There is a large cast of characters and it’s difficult to pinpoint which characters to focus on. The primary characters are Scarlett and Zoey. Zoey shows up at Scarlett’s place of employment one day, stating she’s the daughter of Pepper, Zoey’s high school best friend whom she lost contact with right after graduation. (22 years ago.) Zoey informs Scarlett that her mother recently passed away and she had found a letter addressed to Scarlett in Pepper’s belongings. The letter references an accident that happened just before their graduation. Zoey has several questions for Scarlett, who is panicked at the mention of the accident all those years ago…a night she’s been trying to forget for the last 22 years.
This book was all over the place. The characters are memorable but only because they were all insufferable, with the exception of Luke. He rallies at the end and literally saves the day for his mom, Scarlett. The timeline jumps back and forth from present day to 22 years ago, with a mishmash of unbelievable events. There was zero suspense and a few attempts at plot twists that were so predictable, they failed.
I’m salty. This novel was a waste of time and I should have DNF’d it.
I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
September 25, 2024
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
Hilary Huber does a great job with the narration on the this book! She was clear and concise and after you learn all the main characters names and backgrounds, it makes it easier to keep everything straight. I kinda saw some of the twists coming but there were other large ones that I didn’t. It’s basically about a group of friends in a town trapped by its past secrets. I would definitely recommend if you like psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators and lots of drama!
Hilary Huber does a great job with the narration on the this book! She was clear and concise and after you learn all the main characters names and backgrounds, it makes it easier to keep everything straight. I kinda saw some of the twists coming but there were other large ones that I didn’t. It’s basically about a group of friends in a town trapped by its past secrets. I would definitely recommend if you like psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators and lots of drama!
June 21, 2024
Is the “mystery” in the room with us?
April 5, 2024
"A Lovely Lie" is a gripping novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The opening sentence offers a tantalizing glimpse into the suspense that awaits. Jamie Lynn Hendricks has a knack for crafting intricate tales that ensnare her readers from the very first page.
Scarlett and Pepper are best friends from high school who share a secret. The story is narrated in the present, with flashbacks to memories of that night and the dreadful accident. As you read, you'll be taken on a rollercoaster ride through haunting memories of the night that changed lives and its ripple effect on the present. The police interviews, conversations, and accident investigation all add to the intensity of this gripping thriller, making it a must-read for anyone who loves a good suspenseful story!
What makes this novel so compelling is the skillful way Hendricks weaves together different narrative threads. The flashbacks deepen our understanding of the characters and the events that led up to that night. This is a book that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Thanks to Scarlet Suspense for providing a copy of this book through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#ALovelyLie #JaimeLynnHendricks #NetGalley #ThrillerBookLovers #ARC #HonestReview #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #bookworm #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #booktoker
Scarlett and Pepper are best friends from high school who share a secret. The story is narrated in the present, with flashbacks to memories of that night and the dreadful accident. As you read, you'll be taken on a rollercoaster ride through haunting memories of the night that changed lives and its ripple effect on the present. The police interviews, conversations, and accident investigation all add to the intensity of this gripping thriller, making it a must-read for anyone who loves a good suspenseful story!
What makes this novel so compelling is the skillful way Hendricks weaves together different narrative threads. The flashbacks deepen our understanding of the characters and the events that led up to that night. This is a book that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Thanks to Scarlet Suspense for providing a copy of this book through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#ALovelyLie #JaimeLynnHendricks #NetGalley #ThrillerBookLovers #ARC #HonestReview #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #bookworm #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #booktoker
April 16, 2024
Ahh this one was unhinged in the most fun way! It seemed like one of those pretty straightforward thrillers where I assumed I knew where it was going but I was pleasantly surprised by several of the twists. Was it a little dramatic? Absolutely but it was wickedly fun too. This one is full of unlikable characters and you hear from most of them at some point, but I love to hate devious people and this group was wild. There’s a fairly small cast of characters and the ways they were entangled was complicated and messy but it just made this one that much more insane. This was like the very definition of a popcorn thriller, it’s light yet pretty gripping, it’s scandalous and shocking and I promise you will be entertained by the characters antics.
August 19, 2024
Secrets, lies, drama, loathsome characters, brilliant storyline - what’s not to love?
Told in duel timelines with a mixture of police interviews thrown in, we follow a tragic incident from 1999 to someone looking for answers in the now.
Highly addictive and totally entertaining, this is one of those books you pick up that you will not want to out down.
Huge thanks to Highbridge audio for my ALC. The narration by Hillary Huber was top notch - I could not stop listening. Highly recommended.
Told in duel timelines with a mixture of police interviews thrown in, we follow a tragic incident from 1999 to someone looking for answers in the now.
Highly addictive and totally entertaining, this is one of those books you pick up that you will not want to out down.
Huge thanks to Highbridge audio for my ALC. The narration by Hillary Huber was top notch - I could not stop listening. Highly recommended.
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