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Please Don't Lie
In this stylish, twisty thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline and award-winning author Anne Burt, a young woman heads to the Adirondacks with her new husband for a fresh start—but the past won’t let her go.
Two years ago, Hayley Stone lost everything. First, her parents died in a devastating fire. Then, her sister overdosed, leaving Hayley alone and hounded by a media circus that turned her family’s tragedy into tabloid fodder. When her new husband suggests a fresh start in the Adirondacks, the promise of anonymity in an isolated mountain town feels like salvation.
But the mountains hold darker secrets than she ever imagined.
Her once-loving husband grows distant and volatile. The widow down the road keeps spewing vague accusations. Not even their new friends—a free-spirited couple living on the property—can help Hayley shake the creeping sense that something is off.
As winter edges closer, Hayley discovers that her sanctuary is anything but safe. Trapped and isolated, she faces a terrifying in trying to escape her past, she may have run straight into something far more dangerous.
Two years ago, Hayley Stone lost everything. First, her parents died in a devastating fire. Then, her sister overdosed, leaving Hayley alone and hounded by a media circus that turned her family’s tragedy into tabloid fodder. When her new husband suggests a fresh start in the Adirondacks, the promise of anonymity in an isolated mountain town feels like salvation.
But the mountains hold darker secrets than she ever imagined.
Her once-loving husband grows distant and volatile. The widow down the road keeps spewing vague accusations. Not even their new friends—a free-spirited couple living on the property—can help Hayley shake the creeping sense that something is off.
As winter edges closer, Hayley discovers that her sanctuary is anything but safe. Trapped and isolated, she faces a terrifying in trying to escape her past, she may have run straight into something far more dangerous.
268 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2025
6781 people are currently reading
15554 people want to read
About the author
Christina Baker Kline
24 books7,031 followersA #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including The Exiles, Orphan Train, and A Piece of the World, Christina Baker Kline is published in 40 countries. Her novels have received the New England Prize for Fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Award, among other prizes, and have been chosen by hundreds of communities, universities and schools as “One Book, One Read” selections. Her essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in publications such as the New York Times and the NYT Book Review, the Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle, LitHub, Psychology Today, Poets & Writers, and Salon.
Born in England and raised in the American South and Maine, Kline is a graduate of Yale (B.A.), Cambridge (M.A.) and the University of Virginia (M.F.A.), where she was a Hoyns Fellow in Fiction Writing. A resident of New York City and Southwest Harbor, Maine, she serves on the advisory boards of the Center for Fiction (NY), the Jesup Library (Bar Harbor, ME), the Montclair Literary Festival (NJ), the Kauai Writers Festival (HI), and Roots & Wings (NJ), and on the gala committees of Poets & Writers (NY), The Authors Guild (NY) and Friends of Acadia (ME). She is an Artist-Mentor for StudioDuke at Duke University and the BookEnds program at Stony Brook University.
Born in England and raised in the American South and Maine, Kline is a graduate of Yale (B.A.), Cambridge (M.A.) and the University of Virginia (M.F.A.), where she was a Hoyns Fellow in Fiction Writing. A resident of New York City and Southwest Harbor, Maine, she serves on the advisory boards of the Center for Fiction (NY), the Jesup Library (Bar Harbor, ME), the Montclair Literary Festival (NJ), the Kauai Writers Festival (HI), and Roots & Wings (NJ), and on the gala committees of Poets & Writers (NY), The Authors Guild (NY) and Friends of Acadia (ME). She is an Artist-Mentor for StudioDuke at Duke University and the BookEnds program at Stony Brook University.
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August 9, 2025
Please Don’t Lie
by Christina Bake Kline and Anne Burt is promoted as a psychological thriller. The promise of anonymity in the isolated mountain town of Crystal River, New York sounds like the fresh start Hayler Stone needs. She lost her parents to a devastating fire followed by the death of her sister soon after that. When her new husband, Brandon Stone, inherits his childhood home after the death of his estranged father, it seems like the right move.
However, Brandon grows distant and volatile. A neighbor clearly doesn’t like Brandon and is vaguely accusatory. Even new friends who are living on the property can’t help Hayley keep away the sense that something is off and there are dark secrets to be uncovered.
Considering the media circus following the deaths of her family, Hayley seems trusting and gullible. With the isolation and the desire for a close friend while Brandon seems volatile at times, Hayley is a character you can root for and hope she succeeds in finding a happily ever after.
The prologue starts off with plenty of action and the story is chilling at times, but it is somewhat slow in the middle of the book. While the premise was great, this story lacked action until the end. Additionally, the protagonist felt weak to me. While the antagonists are relatively easy to discern, there are a few twists and surprises along the way. Themes include deception, friendship, safety, the prospects of the future, the secrets of the past, guilt, betrayal, trust, hope, and much more.
Overall, this is an entertaining read with great worldbuilding. Those who enjoy psychological thrillers and domestic suspense may want to consider this book.
Thomas and Mercer, Christina Baker Kline, and Anne Burt provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 01, 2025.
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My 3.35 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
However, Brandon grows distant and volatile. A neighbor clearly doesn’t like Brandon and is vaguely accusatory. Even new friends who are living on the property can’t help Hayley keep away the sense that something is off and there are dark secrets to be uncovered.
Considering the media circus following the deaths of her family, Hayley seems trusting and gullible. With the isolation and the desire for a close friend while Brandon seems volatile at times, Hayley is a character you can root for and hope she succeeds in finding a happily ever after.
The prologue starts off with plenty of action and the story is chilling at times, but it is somewhat slow in the middle of the book. While the premise was great, this story lacked action until the end. Additionally, the protagonist felt weak to me. While the antagonists are relatively easy to discern, there are a few twists and surprises along the way. Themes include deception, friendship, safety, the prospects of the future, the secrets of the past, guilt, betrayal, trust, hope, and much more.
Overall, this is an entertaining read with great worldbuilding. Those who enjoy psychological thrillers and domestic suspense may want to consider this book.
Thomas and Mercer, Christina Baker Kline, and Anne Burt provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 01, 2025.
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My 3.35 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
September 10, 2025
A binge-worthy, hypnotic, one-sitting read, Please Don’t Lie not only enticed me from the very first word—it chilled me to the bone. From the riveting, heart-pounding start to the smile-inducing, women-supporting-women conclusion, this unputdownable story had me beyond entranced. After all, despite the subtle clues, the suspicious characters meant that I didn’t know who to trust until the truth finally exploded into view. From the creeping sense of foreboding to the growing distrust of everyone involved, I couldn’t help but feel the shivers travel up and down my spine. But it was the ratcheting pace and the series of gotcha twists at the end that had me holding on for dear life throughout this rollercoaster ride of suspense. Even better? It’s only book one in a new series.
All said and done, despite a somewhat slow burn middle, I had a blast riding shotgun with these memorable characters. Taking place in an eerie, remote setting that came off as more and more sinister with each additional page, the feel of the book was a complete and utter home run. It was, however, the setup of the marriage in trouble that truly pulled me into a fantastic mind-f*** of a book. So if you love a good tale of domestic suspense with plenty of psychological twists to the plot, this is one you’re sure to enjoy. After all, this writing duo delivered a storyline rife with both writhing unease as well as adrenaline-fueled action. Together the push and pull of the pace kept me on tenterhooks as I side-eyed everyone in sight until the final revelation shocked me but good. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Two years ago, Hayley Stone lost everything. First, her parents died in a devastating fire. Then, her sister overdosed, leaving Hayley alone and hounded by a media circus that turned her family’s tragedy into tabloid fodder. When her new husband suggests a fresh start in the Adirondacks, the promise of anonymity in an isolated mountain town feels like salvation.
But the mountains hold darker secrets than she ever imagined.
Her once-loving husband grows distant and volatile. The widow down the road keeps spewing vague accusations. Not even their new friends—a free-spirited couple living on the property—can help Hayley shake the creeping sense that something is off.
As winter edges closer, Hayley discovers that her sanctuary is anything but safe. Trapped and isolated, she faces a terrifying truth: in trying to escape her past, she may have run straight into something far more dangerous.
Thank you to Christina Baker Kline, Anne Burt, MBC Books, and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 1, 2025
Content warning: drug use, animal death, violence, murder, mention of: fatal house fire, drug addiction, infidelity
All said and done, despite a somewhat slow burn middle, I had a blast riding shotgun with these memorable characters. Taking place in an eerie, remote setting that came off as more and more sinister with each additional page, the feel of the book was a complete and utter home run. It was, however, the setup of the marriage in trouble that truly pulled me into a fantastic mind-f*** of a book. So if you love a good tale of domestic suspense with plenty of psychological twists to the plot, this is one you’re sure to enjoy. After all, this writing duo delivered a storyline rife with both writhing unease as well as adrenaline-fueled action. Together the push and pull of the pace kept me on tenterhooks as I side-eyed everyone in sight until the final revelation shocked me but good. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Two years ago, Hayley Stone lost everything. First, her parents died in a devastating fire. Then, her sister overdosed, leaving Hayley alone and hounded by a media circus that turned her family’s tragedy into tabloid fodder. When her new husband suggests a fresh start in the Adirondacks, the promise of anonymity in an isolated mountain town feels like salvation.
But the mountains hold darker secrets than she ever imagined.
Her once-loving husband grows distant and volatile. The widow down the road keeps spewing vague accusations. Not even their new friends—a free-spirited couple living on the property—can help Hayley shake the creeping sense that something is off.
As winter edges closer, Hayley discovers that her sanctuary is anything but safe. Trapped and isolated, she faces a terrifying truth: in trying to escape her past, she may have run straight into something far more dangerous.
Thank you to Christina Baker Kline, Anne Burt, MBC Books, and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 1, 2025
Content warning: drug use, animal death, violence, murder, mention of: fatal house fire, drug addiction, infidelity
August 5, 2025
Maybe I’m in a mood lately, but this just was not very good. It was corny and every character was unlikable. I was ready for the book to end.
September 8, 2025
How could one person be so stupid and naive?
Read
August 16, 2025Dear Reader,
Anne Burt and I are delighted to introduce you to Please Don’t Lie, our twisty debut thriller set in the rugged and beautiful Adirondack Mountains. Writing this book together has been an exhilarating experience—one that has deepened not only our creative partnership but also our long friendship.
Our collaboration began twenty-five years ago. From early parenting in Montclair, New Jersey, to empty-nesting in New York City, we’ve read and critiqued each other’s work, analyzed myriad film, television, and theater storytelling techniques, and even coedited a book of essays. Writing Please Don’t Lie feels like a natural evolution of our partnership—a rewarding process of discovery.
This book represents a new direction for both of us. My novels (Orphan Train, The Exiles, and more) have been praised for their complex characters and richly textured narratives. Anne's debut novel (The Dig) has earned acclaim for its psychological depth and haunting atmosphere. We’ve blended our complementary strengths to create a story that explores the devastating truths we hide from others—and ourselves—when everything is at stake. Avid readers like you play a crucial role in helping new novels find their audience. We hope Please Don’t Lie will linger with you long after the final page.
With warm best wishes, Christina and Anne
Anne Burt and I are delighted to introduce you to Please Don’t Lie, our twisty debut thriller set in the rugged and beautiful Adirondack Mountains. Writing this book together has been an exhilarating experience—one that has deepened not only our creative partnership but also our long friendship.
Our collaboration began twenty-five years ago. From early parenting in Montclair, New Jersey, to empty-nesting in New York City, we’ve read and critiqued each other’s work, analyzed myriad film, television, and theater storytelling techniques, and even coedited a book of essays. Writing Please Don’t Lie feels like a natural evolution of our partnership—a rewarding process of discovery.
This book represents a new direction for both of us. My novels (Orphan Train, The Exiles, and more) have been praised for their complex characters and richly textured narratives. Anne's debut novel (The Dig) has earned acclaim for its psychological depth and haunting atmosphere. We’ve blended our complementary strengths to create a story that explores the devastating truths we hide from others—and ourselves—when everything is at stake. Avid readers like you play a crucial role in helping new novels find their audience. We hope Please Don’t Lie will linger with you long after the final page.
With warm best wishes, Christina and Anne
May 3, 2025
Please Don’t Lie by Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt. Thanks to @mbc for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hayley has moved to the Adirondacks with her new husband to escape from her tragic past that left her family dead. As they settle in her husband’s town, he becomes distant and volatile. While he knows of her past, she doesn’t know much of his.
This is a fast paced story that you can binge in one sitting. The end gets really exciting and there’s a few twists that keep coming and coming. You aren’t really sure who to trust until the last page.
“No matter how she tries to feel safe, she knows security is an illusion. A threat can come from anywhere, anytime.
Please Don’t Lie comes out 9/1.
Hayley has moved to the Adirondacks with her new husband to escape from her tragic past that left her family dead. As they settle in her husband’s town, he becomes distant and volatile. While he knows of her past, she doesn’t know much of his.
This is a fast paced story that you can binge in one sitting. The end gets really exciting and there’s a few twists that keep coming and coming. You aren’t really sure who to trust until the last page.
“No matter how she tries to feel safe, she knows security is an illusion. A threat can come from anywhere, anytime.
Please Don’t Lie comes out 9/1.
August 3, 2025
AMAZON FIRST READS - AUGUST 2025
Hayley is wealthy; majorly rich. Her parents perished in a fire started by her drug addicted sister. Her sister succumbed to her addiction leaving Hayley the sole recipient of the family’s considerable fortune.
Brandon inherited his father’s property in the Adirondack Mountains. It’s a massive home, castle like with a cottage for staff plus additional out buildings and acreage for days. It’s stunningly beautiful but remote, especially coming from her West Village apartment.
Newly married, Brandon is looking for a place to have a clean start. NYC just doesn’t work for him who grew up in Florida. Haley isn’t so sure she wants this much seclusion but she does want to get away from all the trouble and media attention from the gossip surrounding her parent’s death and sister’s potential involvement. She also loves Brandon and wants him to have a chance. He did give NY a chance; now it’s her turn…right?
The young couple get right to work setting up the house to suit them. Brandon is trying to live up to some old memories of his father. He’s driven and spending a lot of time working on the house and grounds preparing it for winter. When Hayley and Brandon go to town for supplies, they meet a young couple. Hayley is really excited to make a potential friend; Brandon is less enthusiastic but acquiesces with a bit of an attitude. Megan has many similar interests with Hayley and Tyler, her boyfriend, has skills Brandon can use getting the place squared away but their relationship is tenuous. Hayley and Megan are always watching them, ready to jump in and keep the peace.
As the story unfolds, Brandon withdraws and unusual circumstances become more common. Hayley is very trusting; odd considering her recent experiences. Lots of little breadcrumbs will lead readers from one theory to another. They’re not big enough to be herring but accumulation over time will cause assumptions. Be careful about those; you know the old adage…
I might have given this story five stars if the title were better. It is a line from the book but IMO, it’s not significant enough to garner the title. That aside, the writing duo works really well together. Good pacing and character development, smart construction with enjoyable descriptions of the Adirondack area.
The audience might be broader if the authors would turn down the expletives and exercise some moderation as they did with the sexual content and violence. There’s a second volume planned for the first week of November for which I would be a reader📚
Hayley is wealthy; majorly rich. Her parents perished in a fire started by her drug addicted sister. Her sister succumbed to her addiction leaving Hayley the sole recipient of the family’s considerable fortune.
Brandon inherited his father’s property in the Adirondack Mountains. It’s a massive home, castle like with a cottage for staff plus additional out buildings and acreage for days. It’s stunningly beautiful but remote, especially coming from her West Village apartment.
Newly married, Brandon is looking for a place to have a clean start. NYC just doesn’t work for him who grew up in Florida. Haley isn’t so sure she wants this much seclusion but she does want to get away from all the trouble and media attention from the gossip surrounding her parent’s death and sister’s potential involvement. She also loves Brandon and wants him to have a chance. He did give NY a chance; now it’s her turn…right?
The young couple get right to work setting up the house to suit them. Brandon is trying to live up to some old memories of his father. He’s driven and spending a lot of time working on the house and grounds preparing it for winter. When Hayley and Brandon go to town for supplies, they meet a young couple. Hayley is really excited to make a potential friend; Brandon is less enthusiastic but acquiesces with a bit of an attitude. Megan has many similar interests with Hayley and Tyler, her boyfriend, has skills Brandon can use getting the place squared away but their relationship is tenuous. Hayley and Megan are always watching them, ready to jump in and keep the peace.
As the story unfolds, Brandon withdraws and unusual circumstances become more common. Hayley is very trusting; odd considering her recent experiences. Lots of little breadcrumbs will lead readers from one theory to another. They’re not big enough to be herring but accumulation over time will cause assumptions. Be careful about those; you know the old adage…
I might have given this story five stars if the title were better. It is a line from the book but IMO, it’s not significant enough to garner the title. That aside, the writing duo works really well together. Good pacing and character development, smart construction with enjoyable descriptions of the Adirondack area.
The audience might be broader if the authors would turn down the expletives and exercise some moderation as they did with the sexual content and violence. There’s a second volume planned for the first week of November for which I would be a reader📚
August 9, 2025
Interesting plot, but it took a while to get interesting, and then when it did get interesting, I found myself getting confused. And then I was rolling my eyes by the end and just wanted the book to end. I couldn’t suspend my disbelief when two females were somehow able to tie up a grown male murderer with blankets and tape. And somehow Megan came back to life after sustaining a fall down a case of stairs and a severe head injury. Lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
I love Christina Baker Kline and was expecting so much from this book and had the Audio as well. I have not read her co-author Anne Burt before. I loved the setting in the Adirondacks and that Hayley has moved there with her husband, Brandon for a Fresh Start. She has been through a lot and needs to reshape her life. She befriends Megan, and trusts her implicitly which is a little off since she barely knows her, yet they seem to have chemistry. Tyler, her boyfriend comes along and both are invited to stay in the guest house.
The issue is you can see where this is going. It is captivating at first, but than drags. If the twists and mystery are not going to be too surprising, then you are looking at a character driven psychological mind play. CBK is an excellent writer and usually I absorb her characters completely. Yet, Hayley, is spineless. She accepts situations without question I don’t think most would. All the characters are not especially deep. This is the first book in a Series, so I am hoping it will definitely do a deeper dive into the mind of these people, especially Hayley.
So, this was an Ok Book and think it worked better as an Audiobook. I enjoyed the Fast Pace and listening to the narrator, Arden Stolz was enjoyable. She kept a sometimes sluggish book, that changes and asks for acceptance of highly unlikely events going. I did enjoy the book, just not to the level I was hoping for.
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer, and Brillance Audio for providing a copy of this book and also the audiobook. I especially enjoy this combination. I always leave reviews of copies of books I read.
The issue is you can see where this is going. It is captivating at first, but than drags. If the twists and mystery are not going to be too surprising, then you are looking at a character driven psychological mind play. CBK is an excellent writer and usually I absorb her characters completely. Yet, Hayley, is spineless. She accepts situations without question I don’t think most would. All the characters are not especially deep. This is the first book in a Series, so I am hoping it will definitely do a deeper dive into the mind of these people, especially Hayley.
So, this was an Ok Book and think it worked better as an Audiobook. I enjoyed the Fast Pace and listening to the narrator, Arden Stolz was enjoyable. She kept a sometimes sluggish book, that changes and asks for acceptance of highly unlikely events going. I did enjoy the book, just not to the level I was hoping for.
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer, and Brillance Audio for providing a copy of this book and also the audiobook. I especially enjoy this combination. I always leave reviews of copies of books I read.
August 7, 2025
originally gave this a 3, but the more i think about it the lower the rating. it was such a basic, bare-bones thriller. predictable, and nothing special sticks out to me.
August 8, 2025
Not good
OMGOSH “the breath she didn’t know she was holding” line is in this book. I mean c’mon! I couldn’t finish it. I got to 63%. Seriously DNF
OMGOSH “the breath she didn’t know she was holding” line is in this book. I mean c’mon! I couldn’t finish it. I got to 63%. Seriously DNF
September 24, 2025
An excellent read for coming into the colder season, the plot of this book is definitely “winter is coming” style and as the cold weather creeps closer and the reality of being separated from the rest of the world and isolated with somebody the FMC doesn’t know if she can trust due to strange behaviour, the suspense will definitely engage your fight or flight senses.
A domestic thriller, more on the thriller side which i love. Themes of women supporting women to add a positive contrast to otherwise deadly scenarios.
I enjoyed this book and was excited to learn it will part of a series!
Thank you for the gifted copy!
A domestic thriller, more on the thriller side which i love. Themes of women supporting women to add a positive contrast to otherwise deadly scenarios.
I enjoyed this book and was excited to learn it will part of a series!
Thank you for the gifted copy!
September 28, 2025
There were some elements of this story I really enjoyed and others that I struggled with a bit. I found myself quickly pulled into the story— a huge plus. The isolated glass house setting, the secretive characters and hints at their turbulent backstories, and dual timeline nature made for excellent, and excited reading. And while I saw a few of the twists coming, the authors still managed to surprise me a time or two. That said, I really struggle when I feel an MC is overly naive and riddled with self-doubt, and I think that along with the over-the-top nature, prevented me from loving it.
🎧 The audiobook was an engaging quick listen and I think my preferred format. If you are looking for an easy, entertaining thriller in the vein of Sandie Jones, this might be the one.
Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️psychological thrillers
▪️who can you trust?
▪️isolated setting
▪️dual POV
Thank you Amazon Publishing and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced copies.
🎧 The audiobook was an engaging quick listen and I think my preferred format. If you are looking for an easy, entertaining thriller in the vein of Sandie Jones, this might be the one.
Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️psychological thrillers
▪️who can you trust?
▪️isolated setting
▪️dual POV
Thank you Amazon Publishing and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced copies.
dnf
July 25, 2025Not feeling this..
August 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25/5)
I closed this book with a quiet exhale 😮💨 not because I was disappointed, but because I had to process.
Please Don’t Lie isn’t your average psychological thriller. It straddles something a bit messier, quieter, and more layered: the emotional residue of trauma, the ambiguity of memory, and the manipulation of narrative — both public and private
The plot follows Hayley, a young woman burdened by survivor’s guilt, public scrutiny, and the kind of internalized self-doubt that festers when you’ve been both burned (literally) and buried under media noise. There’s a haunting tension that lingers throughout — not so much from suspense, but from the characters’ emotional evasions and fractured truths 🫣
🧠 What stood out to me most was the psychological nuance.
Hayley isn’t just confused — she’s being made confused.
One of my favorite annotations came during a moment of her reflection:
“Hayley started to believe the printed stories and replaced those with her own memories of the event.”
That sentence hit like a freight train. This is exactly what trauma does — it hijacks clarity and replaces it with static.
There’s a recurring theme of embodied memory as well. At one point, Hayley’s arms are shaking and she’s unaware until she feels it. I scribbled, “The body knows,” because sometimes your body recalls the truth long before your brain does. That element — the visceral aspect of Hayley’s healing — was deeply effective.
💬 I also appreciated the social commentary that peeked through. The way media distorts narratives and capitalizes on grief for public consumption is unsettling. There’s one section where I noted:
“News moguls always distort the truth for better reviews.”
The novel invites us to question not just who’s lying — but who’s being believed. Whose story is allowed to lead?
📍One of the more ambiguous threads I found fascinating was Brandon. Is he a grounding force? A red herring? A manipulator? I was never quite sure. I even wrote, “Perhaps Brandon was THE source,” at one point — and I still don’t know if I meant that as salvation or sabotage. The ambiguity was both maddening and masterful.
💬 Favorite line (because it cut deep in its simplicity):
“What you gain from life is shaped by your willingness to embrace what lies ahead.”
This line encapsulated the slow-burn hope that quietly underpins the novel. It’s not about happy endings — it’s about movement. Choosing to embrace even when you don’t understand.
📚 Overall, Please Don’t Lie earns a strong 4.25 from me. It didn’t deliver cheap thrills or jaw-dropping twists — and I was glad for it. Instead, it delivered emotional messiness, memory manipulation, and moral ambiguity. If you’re in the mood for something less about shock value and more about psychological excavation, this one is worth your time 🧘🏼♀️🙏🏻🤲🏻
I closed this book with a quiet exhale 😮💨 not because I was disappointed, but because I had to process.
Please Don’t Lie isn’t your average psychological thriller. It straddles something a bit messier, quieter, and more layered: the emotional residue of trauma, the ambiguity of memory, and the manipulation of narrative — both public and private
The plot follows Hayley, a young woman burdened by survivor’s guilt, public scrutiny, and the kind of internalized self-doubt that festers when you’ve been both burned (literally) and buried under media noise. There’s a haunting tension that lingers throughout — not so much from suspense, but from the characters’ emotional evasions and fractured truths 🫣
🧠 What stood out to me most was the psychological nuance.
Hayley isn’t just confused — she’s being made confused.
One of my favorite annotations came during a moment of her reflection:
“Hayley started to believe the printed stories and replaced those with her own memories of the event.”
That sentence hit like a freight train. This is exactly what trauma does — it hijacks clarity and replaces it with static.
There’s a recurring theme of embodied memory as well. At one point, Hayley’s arms are shaking and she’s unaware until she feels it. I scribbled, “The body knows,” because sometimes your body recalls the truth long before your brain does. That element — the visceral aspect of Hayley’s healing — was deeply effective.
💬 I also appreciated the social commentary that peeked through. The way media distorts narratives and capitalizes on grief for public consumption is unsettling. There’s one section where I noted:
“News moguls always distort the truth for better reviews.”
The novel invites us to question not just who’s lying — but who’s being believed. Whose story is allowed to lead?
📍One of the more ambiguous threads I found fascinating was Brandon. Is he a grounding force? A red herring? A manipulator? I was never quite sure. I even wrote, “Perhaps Brandon was THE source,” at one point — and I still don’t know if I meant that as salvation or sabotage. The ambiguity was both maddening and masterful.
💬 Favorite line (because it cut deep in its simplicity):
“What you gain from life is shaped by your willingness to embrace what lies ahead.”
This line encapsulated the slow-burn hope that quietly underpins the novel. It’s not about happy endings — it’s about movement. Choosing to embrace even when you don’t understand.
📚 Overall, Please Don’t Lie earns a strong 4.25 from me. It didn’t deliver cheap thrills or jaw-dropping twists — and I was glad for it. Instead, it delivered emotional messiness, memory manipulation, and moral ambiguity. If you’re in the mood for something less about shock value and more about psychological excavation, this one is worth your time 🧘🏼♀️🙏🏻🤲🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
*Review audio copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
To be honest, this book was very forgettable. The audio was really well done, but the story was boring. I feel like there was a lot of focus on Hayley's past and the present part of the story was not moving much.
Idk. I think I've just read/listened to a lot of thrillers that have a lot more excitement and so I was disappointed.
To be honest, this book was very forgettable. The audio was really well done, but the story was boring. I feel like there was a lot of focus on Hayley's past and the present part of the story was not moving much.
Idk. I think I've just read/listened to a lot of thrillers that have a lot more excitement and so I was disappointed.
September 12, 2025
Definitely a psychological thriller,,, Every time I figured it out, another clue, kept me turning pages...
I would recommend this novel to those who love a good "psychological thriller!"
I would recommend this novel to those who love a good "psychological thriller!"
August 11, 2025
Not really worth the time it took to read the book. I found the main character to be annoying, considering she doubts her husband constantly, but still she fails to confront him and always forgives him for his bad behavior. Speak up, idiot! The twist at the end was neither surprising nor believable. I expected more out of this author.
September 10, 2025
"No matter how she tries to feel safe, she knows security is an illusion. A threat can come from anywhere, anytime."
This is a slow burn with perfect pacing due to an increasing build of discomfort, isolation and distrust. Does Hayley REALLY know her husband? Why is he behaving so strangely? With winter coming they will be even more cut off from other people. Did Hayley make the right choice to move to this house in the woods?
Hayley's motivations and inner monologue were easy to believe. She vacillates often on what she thinks and feels is the right thing to do, but under the circumstances, her indecision and choices seem utterly realistic. I'm horribly cynical and had things figured out almost right away. This is per usual for me so it didn't alter my enjoyment to find out I was correct in my suspicions!
PLEASE DON'T LIE is exactly the type of domestic thriller I like and I'm choosy with them! Themes of family, friendship, overcoming trauma and finding inner strength were present throughout and added layers of depth. The ticking clock and impending doom combined with a claustrophobic atmosphere made for an intense read I couldn't put down! The ending was grin worthy despite requiring suspension of disbelief, or maybe because of it. After all, isn't that the fun part? It is for me. If you're a fan of secrets and lies, distrusting everyone and layered twists, then this is for you!
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Thank you MBC Books and Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
This is a slow burn with perfect pacing due to an increasing build of discomfort, isolation and distrust. Does Hayley REALLY know her husband? Why is he behaving so strangely? With winter coming they will be even more cut off from other people. Did Hayley make the right choice to move to this house in the woods?
Hayley's motivations and inner monologue were easy to believe. She vacillates often on what she thinks and feels is the right thing to do, but under the circumstances, her indecision and choices seem utterly realistic. I'm horribly cynical and had things figured out almost right away. This is per usual for me so it didn't alter my enjoyment to find out I was correct in my suspicions!
PLEASE DON'T LIE is exactly the type of domestic thriller I like and I'm choosy with them! Themes of family, friendship, overcoming trauma and finding inner strength were present throughout and added layers of depth. The ticking clock and impending doom combined with a claustrophobic atmosphere made for an intense read I couldn't put down! The ending was grin worthy despite requiring suspension of disbelief, or maybe because of it. After all, isn't that the fun part? It is for me. If you're a fan of secrets and lies, distrusting everyone and layered twists, then this is for you!
____
Thank you MBC Books and Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
August 25, 2025
This domestic suspense story had a lot of potential but didn't quite get there for me. The plot hangs on a main character who makes impulsive and bad decisions and there were intriguing aspects of the story that weren't explored enough.
Newlywed Hayley is trying to escape her tragic past and excited to help her new husband Brandon renovate a home he inherited in the Adirondacks. But doubts start to creep in when the locals tell disturbing stories about him. Is he a creeper? Did he marry her for her money? She meets a new friend, Megan, in town and invites her and her boyfriend to move into the cottage on their property.
For me, the book started off feeling a little mechanical, with a lot of crisply efficient info-dumping to make Hayley seem vulnerable, a crucial part of a domestic suspense story. The story did improve for me as it went on but the more intriguing elements of the story, like Hayley's parents' deaths and a sinister podcaster, were neglected in favor of the relationship between Hayley and Brandon. The ending was really strange to me and I'm not sure how this will be a series. All in all, just not for me!
Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Newlywed Hayley is trying to escape her tragic past and excited to help her new husband Brandon renovate a home he inherited in the Adirondacks. But doubts start to creep in when the locals tell disturbing stories about him. Is he a creeper? Did he marry her for her money? She meets a new friend, Megan, in town and invites her and her boyfriend to move into the cottage on their property.
For me, the book started off feeling a little mechanical, with a lot of crisply efficient info-dumping to make Hayley seem vulnerable, a crucial part of a domestic suspense story. The story did improve for me as it went on but the more intriguing elements of the story, like Hayley's parents' deaths and a sinister podcaster, were neglected in favor of the relationship between Hayley and Brandon. The ending was really strange to me and I'm not sure how this will be a series. All in all, just not for me!
Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
August 30, 2025
This engaging thriller has short chapters and plenty of action. It's fast-paced with an interesting plot. A woman leaves New York City with her new husband for a fresh start in a remote community in upstate New York. Hayley has some reservations about living in such a rural area, but is happy to leave past trauma behind to move to her husband's hometown. She soon learns that Brandon is keeping secrets and her chance for a new life could be the death of her.
I was engaged in the story, but I have to say I couldn't really connect with the characters. The dialogue didn't always flow smoothly and maybe that's why it was hard to get to know some of the characters. However, I like that mixed in with the suspense and horror of the story, the story had underlying themes of friendship, fresh starts, and helping others. The tension amps up at the end and is a little over-the-top, but I loved that some of the big reveals really surprised me. I read a lot of thrillers, so I'm pleased when the unexpected happens in the plot. This is my first book by either author, but I'd be interested in reading more.
I received an advance copy of this book from Amazon Publishing and MB Communications for review consideration, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
I was engaged in the story, but I have to say I couldn't really connect with the characters. The dialogue didn't always flow smoothly and maybe that's why it was hard to get to know some of the characters. However, I like that mixed in with the suspense and horror of the story, the story had underlying themes of friendship, fresh starts, and helping others. The tension amps up at the end and is a little over-the-top, but I loved that some of the big reveals really surprised me. I read a lot of thrillers, so I'm pleased when the unexpected happens in the plot. This is my first book by either author, but I'd be interested in reading more.
I received an advance copy of this book from Amazon Publishing and MB Communications for review consideration, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
June 30, 2025
Please Don’t Lie
By: Christina Baker Kline, Anne Burt
Oh, what a wicked one this was. Imaging losing your family and needing a fresh start. Hayley is newly married and her husband provides a home in the Adirondacks, where they are both socially isolated.
Soon his personality changes and he become aloof. The town seems to be warning Hayley! She should have listened!
By: Christina Baker Kline, Anne Burt
Oh, what a wicked one this was. Imaging losing your family and needing a fresh start. Hayley is newly married and her husband provides a home in the Adirondacks, where they are both socially isolated.
Soon his personality changes and he become aloof. The town seems to be warning Hayley! She should have listened!
September 1, 2025
Please Don’t Lie by Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt is the first book in the Crystal River series. Hayley moves to the Adirondacks with her new husband, but we all know, you can’t run away from your past.
It has been two years since she lost her parents to a house fire and her sister to an overdose. A shadow hangs over Hayley and no matter how many self help books she reads, she will be forced to confront a reality she never envisioned. Don’t we all know that an isolated mountain town can hold dangers that will change her life forever? The location adds a feeling of menace and the pace had me rapidly flipping pages.
I love that Christine and Anne were able to keep me guessing until the very end.
I want to thank Christine, Anne and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to share Please Don’t Lie with you. I hope to read more of their work in the future.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
It has been two years since she lost her parents to a house fire and her sister to an overdose. A shadow hangs over Hayley and no matter how many self help books she reads, she will be forced to confront a reality she never envisioned. Don’t we all know that an isolated mountain town can hold dangers that will change her life forever? The location adds a feeling of menace and the pace had me rapidly flipping pages.
I love that Christine and Anne were able to keep me guessing until the very end.
I want to thank Christine, Anne and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to share Please Don’t Lie with you. I hope to read more of their work in the future.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
August 20, 2025
4.5 really.. lots of twists! Great first reads.
September 27, 2025
I found this read to be intriguing at the start, and then I became aggravated at how obvious the story was becoming. I also felt like the MC was so extremely gullible, which doesn’t make sense given her backstory. By the middle of the story I felt like I knew where we were heading, and that’s where we went. Overall, just not as thrilling as you want a thriller to be.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
August 6, 2025
A decent read from Amazon First Reads! I enjoyed the story and the authors threw in some good, if predictable twists. There’s a FMC Hayley that has made some questionable life choices but can be explained with her trauma.
Her drug addicted sister Jenna lit their Florida house on fire and killed her parents in the process. Soon after, Jenna commits suicide and Hayley escapes FL, headed to New York with new boyfriend Brandon. All of that happens pretty early and is not a secret.
What’s Brandon like? Well, apparently he’s stifled in NY and needs Hayley (her inheritance) to go renovate his family home up in the mountains. Hayley agrees and leaves her life behind, despite everyone warning her, and despite her and Brandon not really connecting easily. It reminded me a lot of Anna from Frozen! Just very naive, trusting, and head in the sand.
From there, Brandon turns into a silent, glaring mountain man, Hayley tries desperately to make friends so she won’t go crazy, and flighty Megan plus Tyler move in quickly to a guest house near Hayley’s. Tempers flare, murders occur, and things get dark very quickly!
Her drug addicted sister Jenna lit their Florida house on fire and killed her parents in the process. Soon after, Jenna commits suicide and Hayley escapes FL, headed to New York with new boyfriend Brandon. All of that happens pretty early and is not a secret.
What’s Brandon like? Well, apparently he’s stifled in NY and needs Hayley (her inheritance) to go renovate his family home up in the mountains. Hayley agrees and leaves her life behind, despite everyone warning her, and despite her and Brandon not really connecting easily. It reminded me a lot of Anna from Frozen! Just very naive, trusting, and head in the sand.
From there, Brandon turns into a silent, glaring mountain man, Hayley tries desperately to make friends so she won’t go crazy, and flighty Megan plus Tyler move in quickly to a guest house near Hayley’s. Tempers flare, murders occur, and things get dark very quickly!
August 3, 2025
Was entertaining and kept me reading. Reason for 3 stars is that it was just simple and you pretty much knew what would happen. But an easy read
August 23, 2025
DNF!!!
"Howl for me," he whispers. And she does.
Really? LOL. I'm sorry but this line SENT ME. The writing is so bad.
"Howl for me," he whispers. And she does.
Really? LOL. I'm sorry but this line SENT ME. The writing is so bad.
September 7, 2025
This was a 3.5 star read for me. It kept me engaged and interested, but it did slow down a bit in the middle.
Haley moves to her husband’s small hometown in the mountains with him after a fairly quick relationship and marriage. She think she knows him, but the towns people seem to have other opinions, and he begins acting bizarrely.
I liked Haley enough as a main character. The book was written in the third person which took a second to get used to, but I didn’t mind it. It was just different not to be inside anyone’s head in a thriller and felt more like being told a story than experiencing one.
There were two authors, but the writing seemed to fit together seamlessly. Sometimes with two writers, I can tell when different people wrote different parts and it’s distracting, but I didn’t experience any of that here.
The book slowed down in the middle where people were acting kind of oddly, but not enough to really grab me and draw me in. It was more of a few moments that were like, “okay that was a weird thing to do or say,” but nothing horrifying or action packed until the end.
MINOR SPOILER - Thing I dislike
At the end, when Hayley finds herself trapped alone with the killer, she does that super cliche main character thing where she decides to confront them with everything they don’t know she knows, when things are calm. I feel like this always happens, and things would be totally fine if the person just keeps their mouth shut and plays along until they can make it to safety, or around the public, or cell service is returned to call the police. Instead, Hayley brought it from 0-100 when she had no way out instead of just playing along for a bit. But again, this seems to happen in every thriller.
Overall, it was a decent thriller, a little on the slower side, but not too much. I’d recommend it.
Haley moves to her husband’s small hometown in the mountains with him after a fairly quick relationship and marriage. She think she knows him, but the towns people seem to have other opinions, and he begins acting bizarrely.
I liked Haley enough as a main character. The book was written in the third person which took a second to get used to, but I didn’t mind it. It was just different not to be inside anyone’s head in a thriller and felt more like being told a story than experiencing one.
There were two authors, but the writing seemed to fit together seamlessly. Sometimes with two writers, I can tell when different people wrote different parts and it’s distracting, but I didn’t experience any of that here.
The book slowed down in the middle where people were acting kind of oddly, but not enough to really grab me and draw me in. It was more of a few moments that were like, “okay that was a weird thing to do or say,” but nothing horrifying or action packed until the end.
MINOR SPOILER - Thing I dislike
At the end, when Hayley finds herself trapped alone with the killer, she does that super cliche main character thing where she decides to confront them with everything they don’t know she knows, when things are calm. I feel like this always happens, and things would be totally fine if the person just keeps their mouth shut and plays along until they can make it to safety, or around the public, or cell service is returned to call the police. Instead, Hayley brought it from 0-100 when she had no way out instead of just playing along for a bit. But again, this seems to happen in every thriller.
Overall, it was a decent thriller, a little on the slower side, but not too much. I’d recommend it.
September 11, 2025
Oh my. This was a twisty ride that built slowly and then was super intense at the end, and I figured it out right as things were happening and they weren’t necessarily the right things, so I was trying not to scream at the characters and scare the pugs (I was listening to the audiobook lol). There are secrets galore in here, as Hayley is desperate to start over after losing her parents in a devastating fire, and she relocates to the Adirondacks with her new husband. But he starts growing distant, and their new friends, a couple that lives on the property, support her in thinking something is off.
This was a fun one to read, and I loved that I did not exactly know it all until the critical moment at the end, which only made the reveal that more intense and appreciated. I listened to this in one sitting, once it got started I could not stop, I had to know everything.
Thank you to MB Communications, Amazon Publishing and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review.
This was a fun one to read, and I loved that I did not exactly know it all until the critical moment at the end, which only made the reveal that more intense and appreciated. I listened to this in one sitting, once it got started I could not stop, I had to know everything.
Thank you to MB Communications, Amazon Publishing and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review.
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