Everyone Is Lying

by Holly Down

They say I’m lucky to be alive. But the only thing I can remember are the faces of my husband and baby. The husband and baby they insist don’t exist…

I can hear a door slamming, and the low hum of distant traffic. I struggle to open my eyes, and the panic sets in. I have no memory of who I am, why I’m here, where all this pain is coming from…

Then the door cracks open, a face lighting up in surprise. ‘You’re awake!’ She looks pleased to see me, but all I can think I don’t know you.

She tells me I’m her sister – that there was an accident and I’ve been in a coma. But as she skilfully evades my questions, I know something is wrong.

Because when I ask her about my husband and baby, she gently tells me they never existed. I know she’s lying.

As she leaves the room and the lock clicks behind her, my heart starts to pound. And as the days pass stuck in this room, I start to discover unsettling details I hadn’t noticed before. Photographs that don’t seem to fit their frames. The anonymous note buried deep in a bunch of flowers I feel sure I was never meant to find – with just two words on I’m sorry…

What really happened to me? Is this woman really my sister? And if she’s who is she, what does she want from me – and what has she done to my family…?

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2025

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It’s always the people we love the most who hurt us the most.” This thriller hooked me immediately. The main character, Jen, has lost her memory and has no idea who she is, where she is, and how she got there. I was invested in Jen’s pursuit of the truth. Unfortunately at about the halfway mark, the plot felt like it slowed down and lost some of its momentum. I was still interested in Jen’s plight and the story kept me intrigued. If you are new to thrillers, you would probably enjoy it a little more than I did. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy..

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping from the very first page, Everyone is Lying by Holly Down had me flipping through the pages to get to the end. Poor Jen was in a horrific car crash and has lost her memory. Her sister Rachel and her caregiver Bryce are taking care of her but she has reasons to believe they are all lying to her. I wasn’t sure where this was going and found it hard to put down. I didn’t see the end coming and loved how it ended. It’s a doozy that’s for sure!!!! Very cleverly executed! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review. Looking forward to Holly’s next thriller.

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts with a woman waking up in bed, completely confused. She doesn’t know where she is, or even her own name. She can barely move. She’s hooked up to tubes and needles, but she can tell she’s not in a hospital room. Then a woman walks in…her sister, Rachel.

Jen was in a bad car accident and has been in a coma for six months. Rachel has been taking care of her, along with a nurse named Bryce, and they promise that a neurologist is also on the case. Jen feels like something is wrong, though. She remembers a husband and a child. She doesn’t remember their names or what they look like, but she can’t shake the feeling that she’s married - but Rachel insists she’s never been married or had a child.

As the days go on, Jen starts remembering bits and pieces of things, and she also starts to mistrust Rachel. Why isn’t she in a hospital? Why does she feel like she’s a mother? Why does Rachel lock her in the house when she leaves? When she ventures outside and meets her neighbor Cathy, things become even more confusing, soon leaving her not knowing who to trust.

This story is entertaining, but I felt like something was lacking. It was pretty similar to some other thrillers I’ve read, and while the ending was good, the whole book left me with a feeling like “is that it?”. I’ve seen some great reviews for this book, but to me, it was a bit dry. Still, I recommend it as a very quick popcorn thriller. 3.5 stars.

(Thank you to Bookouture, Holly Down and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on February 26, 2025.)

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many amnesia books, so little time!

Unfortunately, this book was not a standout in this genre.

Yes, it was not an amnesia book I will remember many years from now.

Although the book's characterizations were strong, the book's ending was very, very far-fetched and eyerolling.

I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Melanie Crawley.

2.5 stars

[Angela Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most times an author will give you enough foreshadowing that you can predict 90% of the upcoming pages in a book, this one did not fit into that category. Holly Down did an incredible job at making me scratch my head more than once but in a way that I really enjoyed. There were twists I didn’t see coming and I couldn’t wait for all the pieces of the puzzle to come together. I thought the storyline was developed well and if the author wanted me to still be gasping with surprise in the last couple chapters, she succeeded. Great read!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and Unputdownable!

Oh, how I love when a book grips me from the very first page and never lets go and that is exactly what happened with Everyone Is Lying. This story is told almost entirely from the POV of Jen, who is our main character who is suffering from amnesia. I liked that as the reader, we were only allowed to know as much as Jen knew and that any revelations were told to us as Jen learned them. This helped to increase the tension and build suspense throughout the book as I, along with Jen, questioned everything and everyone. While the story got a teeny tiny bit over the top at times, it was still very enjoyable and exactly the type of suspenseful escape I needed. I tore through this in two days. I did not want to put it down. 5 stars for a fun mystery ride with some good twists and a satisfying ending!

With thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture Publishing and Holly Down for the opportunity to read this fantastic book before its release.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this one and stayed up late each night as I couldn't stop reading! It begins with a horrific car crash and Jen awakens in what she believes to be the hospital but soon realizes it's her own bedroom and she has amnesia. When she questions sister Rachel about her husband and daughter, she is told they don't exist and she's been in a coma for 6 months. Fortunately she has a caregiver, Bryce there to take care of her but as she begins to regain her memories things don't add up. This is one of those novels that may haunt you--in a good way!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone Is Lying is a mystery thriller.
Jen has an accident and loses her memory.
She can’t remember anything.
When she wakes from a coma after six months, Jen is at home being looked after by her sister Rachel and a nurse, Bryce.
As Jen begins to questions it all and starts to remember little things here and there, she wonders what is the truth.
Who do you trust when you feel everyone is lying?
Then it comes crashing down and all is unraveled.
The story is engaging and entertaining but it’s a little slow in places.
It’s a good read and at times repetitive.
The ending is quite good and the twist is favourable although predictable.
Three and a half stars rounded up to four…..just!

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tense suspenseful thriller that is filled with mistrust, fractured realities, and deception.

3.5 stars

[Michelle (around - catching up!)]

Sometimes I think it's possible to enjoy... well, at least find a book fun to read, whilst acknowledging that it's actually ridiculous and that the ending was - again, ridiculous and somewhat disappointing. Do I recommend the book? Yes, if you're fine with a very silly explanation for why "Everyone is Lying" and multiple plot holes, annoying characters with little to no redeeming qualities, it was an entertaining journey to a rather farcical destination.

[Tamsin Duffield · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of this, but the reveal and ending was just way too far fetched and I found myself skimming parts of it to get to the end, as it made me lose all interest. Disappointing as the premise was really good!

[Tara Noone]

I did not think much of this book at all. I continued to the end hoping it would pick up or become more interesting. It did not and I found the plot ridiculous.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone is Lying really had me hooked from the beginning. You think it's just got to go a certain way but it definitely did not! Jen wakes up from a coma and everything seems to have changed...she can't remember much but eventually it seems clear everyone is just lying to her. I was riveted and kept turning the pages. I read a lot of domestic thrillers and found the unpredictability refreshing.
And just when I thought I was sure how it would all wrap up, there was a bombshell ending! A sequel would be amazing to see just how things develop in the aftermath.
Very clever writing, guaranteeing I'll be picking up more of Down's work. Highly recommended. I'm a big fan of Lisa Jewell and this was every bit as good as one of hers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely unputdownable! From the very first page, the twists and secrets kept me hooked, making it impossible to stop reading. Holly Down masterfully weaves a suspenseful, fast-paced story filled with deception, unexpected turns, and compelling characters. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist would throw me off. If you love thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end, this one is a must-read!

[Fleury]

Sadly this book that started off with good potential quickly became a ridiculous book.
After a fairly good beginning it quickly started to drag. Big time dragged to a boring ending.
I had to use my Kindle dictionary way too often for use of ridiculously placed words like "deflecting" "hobbit" "aperture" "bedraggled" "thwacked".
Happy just to complete this book.
I doubt I'll read anything else by Holly Down. More than enough already.

[Tylah Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh… this was just a bit slow boring and dry for me. So predictable and I was waiting for it to amp up but it just continued to die down all the way through.

[Carleigh McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 rounded up ofc, but mostly because of that spectacular ending.
This book gave me absolutely everything I needed: a quick, edge of your seat thriller, wrapped up in the most satisfying way possible. Strongly recommend this book when it is released for anyone needing a quick, un-put-downable thriller.

Plot:
Jen wakes up from a coma with no memory of who she is or what happened to her. Naturally, this leads her down a paranoia filled journey of self discovery. Each person she encounters seems to have their own issues that create an uneasy barrier between Jen and the truth. Turns out, you can't trust anyone!

Thanks:
Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Down, and Bookouture publishing for this ARC.

[Lisagrace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept me guessing but completely unbelievable.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

EVERYONE IS LYING BY HOLLY DOWN.
Release date set for the 26th of February 2025.
Well this one had me HOOKED.
I thought it was really good and had me gripped from fairly early on.
Parts of this book had me on the edge of my seat.
Its deffo Page turner for sure.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess most people are guilty when it comes to telling a white lie. They did it either to protect themselves or to fit in a certain group or they used it not to hurt a loved one. They all can be understood and forgiven, but when the lies are about more serious matters or to hide a crime, that's when it's a totally different kettle of fish.

The liar might be convinced they have the upper hand, but when the liar does not seem to realise the glove can fit someone else too, they are doomed...

There were a lot of people to suspect here and I really did not have the faintest idea where the author would take me. This meant I constantly sat on the edge of my seat with my head spinning. 

Of course I had a scenario in my mind, but I can assure you it was not set in stone. 

In the end I was glad there was one thing i was right about. All the rest though... ;) :)

I was deeply immersed in this story and it seems like when you are pushed hard enough, the sky is the limit. 

Great characters, lots of confusion, perfect ending. Loved it. 5 stars

Thank you

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jen wakes up after being in a coma, absolutely terrified as she has no memory of what has happened to her or who she is but she feels in her heart that she is married and has a child.

Soon she hears a voice from a woman who says she is her sister Rachel, but Jen still cannot remember anything and has a strong sense from the beginning that she should not trust this woman, she is not sure why but that is what her gut is telling her so she decides to believe in this even though she has no facts to support it. She is being looked after by a nurse called Bryce and his appearance only confuses her more but one thing she is determined to do is discover the truth.

This is a very exciting story, you are kept on edge as you are not sure yourself as to who is telling the truth and I found myself questioning everything. More characters are introduced and that only increased the thoughts I was having as to who was really who and what their true intentions were regarding Jen.

Very cleverly put together I highly recommend this book, a great plot that will have you turning the pages looking for more clues as you try to decipher the mystery that is now Jen’s life.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Ashley Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jen wakes up from a coma after being in a car accident, she finds she can't remember anything or anyone. Being looked after at home by a male nurse and someone named Rachel who says she is her sister, Jen tries to recover from her accident and also tries to recall anything she can about her life before the accident. When she starts to get fragments and memories back they are of a husband and daughter. But according to Rachel, Jen isn't married and doesn't have any children. So who exactly can Jen trust? Especially if she can't even trust her own mind?

This was a fast-paced but clever take on the amnesia trope. Plenty of red herrings and twists will ramp up the suspense and have you flipping the pages as fast as you can. The characters were well written even if they were shady sometimes. Overall a quick thriller read that is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden and Daniel Hurst.

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Down, and Bookouture for this ARC. Expected publication date is February 26th 2025.

[Kayla Chard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read for me, keeping me guessing the whole way through. The author wrote in a way where it was nearly impossible to guess what was happening. The main character, Jen spent just about the entire book questioning who was being honest with her and who was "good" and "bad" and so did I. I was drawn in from the beginning and couldn't wait to get answers and the twists continued right until the very last page. Looking forward to reading the author's other book soon!

[Eszter Lajtos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Publishing for providing me with an ARC of Everyone is Lying. ❤️

This book kept me on the edge of my seat, questioning who to trust until the very last page. I was captivated by the story of Jen, who wakes up from a coma with retrograde amnesia. With only two people in her life—her sister Rachel and her caretaker Bryce—she can’t shake the feeling that she once had a family of her own. As Jen grapples with her physical and mental struggles, her determination to uncover the truth about herself drives the narrative. 🫣

The characters are introduced gradually, adding depth and complexity to the mystery. Each chapter ends with a twist, making this book truly unputdownable. 😍

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This thriller mystery was a quick read that kept me intrigued from beginning to end. After one question gets answered, there are 10 more, which keeps the mystery interesting! Once things started to come to a conclusion, I unfortunately found it to be a little predictable. I'm not wholly disappointed though, the ending really saved it for me! This is a fun popcorn thriller that I'd definitely recommend!!

[Kayl_may · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Thought it was a bit of a standard concept but the way the story developed was great. I really enjoyed the twists in the tale and the ending was not was I was expecting at all… I loved it! A great page turner I listened to on audio.

[Melanie Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not see the ending coming. Which is such a nice treat when reading a thriller

[RachelReads9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok, not amazing, but an easy reasonably enjoyable read overall. I have just read another book centered around amnesia so I must admit I was a little bit over the premise when I read this one.

The book started off a little slow which was ok as it set the scene and I wanted to find out more about what happened to Jen, why was she in an accident, was she actually in her real house, are the people around her who they say they are?

When it got to about 2/3 of the way in and the pieces of the puzzle were starting to get put together I started to lose interest a bit. The reasons for why everyone was lying to Jen came out and they were just a bit too weird and I don't think the main reason was very believable which ruined it a bit for me. However, I did very much enjoy the ending so that was a nice wrap-up / conclusion to it all. The ending reminded me of a storyline that has been in the media in recent years and I enjoyed that fact - even though there was a major clue to what might happen earlier in the book.

Overall, if you are looking for an easy to read thriller that will keep you hooked I would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #EveryoneIsLying by #HollyDown. This book is crazy good and full of manipulation and lies. Jen has just woke up from a six month coma after a horrible car accident. She cannot remember anything and is very confused as to why she is at home instead of in the hospital. The only people she see is a girl named Rachel, who says she is her sister and Bryce who is her nurse. Why does she feel like a prisoner and keeps seeing visions of a man and a little girl. Can she figure out what is going on and why it feels like she had a family?

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jen wakes up in a bedroom she doesn’t recognize, with no memory of who she is or how she got there. The pain in her body and the confusion in her mind leave her terrified. The only fragments of memory she has are of her husband and baby, but when she asks about them, the woman who claims to be her sister, Rachel, calmly tells her they never existed. Rachel informs Jen that she has been in a coma for six month due to a car accident and that Rachel and her at home nurse, Bryce, have been caring for her during her coma. Understandably, Jen can't help but feel suspicious and her instincts tell her something doesn’t add up. As Jen tries to make sense of her situation, her ability to trust those around her becomes more and more compromised with a growing sense that everyone is hiding something. With each passing day, Jen becomes more certain that the life Rachel describes isn’t the truth - and that the answers she’s desperately searching for might be far darker than she could ever imagine.

Overall, I enjoyed this booked! It was a thrilling mystery that kept me hook with its unexpected twists and revelations. I appreciated its fast paced writing and I liked Jen as the main character. It was fun trying to determine what was real and what was a lie as pieces of Jen’s story continued to unfold. There were aspects of the story that I did struggle with, including the fact that somehow Jen was able to remain in a coma for six months in her own home rather than in a hospital. Then, once Jen woke up, the fact that she was fairly quickly able to walk around and ride her bike had me raising my eyebrows a bit. Realistically, Jen would have needed intensive physical therapy due to muscle atrophy and neurological damage. But, by suspending belief on a few improbable details, I was able to enjoy the overall plot of the book and read it fairly quickly. Once the truth started to unfold, I found the reality of Jen’s story to be slightly lackluster and unrealistic regarding how everyone in her life acted before and after the accident. In the end though, justice was served and for that I was grateful. If you enjoy fun and easy popcorn thrillers with questions around ever corner, then I would recommend Everyone Is Lying as your next read.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Everyone Is Lying in return for my honest review.