What do you think?
Tell Me Every Lie
Bloomsbury presents Tell Me Every Lie by Ellen Hagan and David Flores read by Rosanna Pilcher and Grayson Villanueva
This is the kind of love story that starts with a lie.
John Paul Reyes wants to escape the worst truths in his life—other people's pity since his dad died, and everyone else's expectations about what he should do with his life now that he's graduated high school. When he arrives at the Majestic Mountain resort with his Tita Abrigo's wealthy family, he sees a way to escape—he can be JP Abrigo, rich and set, and he can lie his way to feeling fine.
Mia Malik is trapped in this town, working hard at the resort, trying to escape her broken family and to make her way to the prestigious art program she was accepted into. She's desperate to afford her way there, and she's sick of the privileged guests who have the whole world open to them, who don't really even see her.
But then another staffer dares Mia to make one of the guests fall for her. If she can, she'll collect enough money to get out. Mia knows this is dangerously against the rules, and doesn't even want to pretend to like an entitled rich kid, but then she meets JP. Lying to him starts off easy, but then there's more to him than she expected. And the way JP feels about Mia? So real. As their week together runs out, Mia and JP will have to dig themselves out from the lies they tell to see if there's any truth in the feelings they have for each other.
A moving, layered young adult novel in two voices about finding truth in the lies we tell ourselves.
This is the kind of love story that starts with a lie.
John Paul Reyes wants to escape the worst truths in his life—other people's pity since his dad died, and everyone else's expectations about what he should do with his life now that he's graduated high school. When he arrives at the Majestic Mountain resort with his Tita Abrigo's wealthy family, he sees a way to escape—he can be JP Abrigo, rich and set, and he can lie his way to feeling fine.
Mia Malik is trapped in this town, working hard at the resort, trying to escape her broken family and to make her way to the prestigious art program she was accepted into. She's desperate to afford her way there, and she's sick of the privileged guests who have the whole world open to them, who don't really even see her.
But then another staffer dares Mia to make one of the guests fall for her. If she can, she'll collect enough money to get out. Mia knows this is dangerously against the rules, and doesn't even want to pretend to like an entitled rich kid, but then she meets JP. Lying to him starts off easy, but then there's more to him than she expected. And the way JP feels about Mia? So real. As their week together runs out, Mia and JP will have to dig themselves out from the lies they tell to see if there's any truth in the feelings they have for each other.
A moving, layered young adult novel in two voices about finding truth in the lies we tell ourselves.
Audible Audio
First published June 24, 2025
About the author
Ellen Hagan
10 books70 followersEllen Hagan is a writer, performer, and educator. Her books include: Crowned, Hemisphere, Watch Us Rise, a YA collaboration with Renée Watson, Blooming Fiascoes, Reckless, Glorious, Girl, Don’t Call Me a Hurricane and All That Shines. She has a new YA project forthcoming in 2025 with her partner David Flores. Ellen's poems and essays can be found in Oprah Magazine, ESPNW, So We Can Know: Writers of Color on Pregnancy, Loss, Abortion, and Birth (edited by Aracelis Girmay), Creative Nonfiction, Underwired Magazine, She Walks in Beauty (edited by Caroline Kennedy), Huizache, Small Batch, and Southern Sin. Ellen's performance work has been showcased at The New York International Fringe and Los Angeles Women's Theater Festival. She is the recipient of the 2020 New York Foundation for the Arts fellowing in poetry, the 2013 NoMAA Creative Arts Grant and received grants from the Kentucky Foundation for Women and the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts. National arts residencies include The Hopscotch House in Louisville, Kentucky and Louisiana Arts Works. Ellen is Head of the Poetry & Theatre Departments at the DreamYard Project and directs their International Poetry Exchange Program with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Australia. She is on faculty in the low residency MFA program at Spalding University and co-leads the Alice Hoffman Young Writer's Retreat at Adelphi University. A proud Kentucky writer, Ellen is a member of the Affrilachian Poets, Conjure Women, and is co-founder of the girlstory collective. She lives with her partner and children in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 26, 2025
ੈ✩‧₊˚ This was a fairly quick read of a summer romance between the two main characters who fall in love after one of them makes a bet with their co-workers to get the other to say “I love you” for a cash prize. Both the protagonists start off getting to know each other based off of little white lies that spiral but struggle with the conflict of coming clean to the other and start a relationship on a foundation of truth instead 💬
ੈ✩‧₊˚ I loved the POC representation in this book so much. I saw so much of myself in John Paul “JP” Reyes and to have my culture be represented through him in this book is so inspiring. The casual mentions of food to culture of karaoke and Original Pilipino music were so nice to read. I almost wish we got more flashbacks of JP and his life when his dad was still alive because JP recounting all his fond memories rooted in Filipino culture and tradition made me feel so at home and like I belonged. He’s a pretty interesting character and I can somewhat understand why he felt the need to lie to Mia about his family. JP having doubts and pressure to carve a successful path out of lie was very relatable and I’m glad it was touched on in here 🇵🇭
ੈ✩‧₊˚ Mia Malik, our Assyrian-Italian FMC, was also interesting to learn about but in a different way. I feel like I had trouble connecting with Mia just because even though she only agreed to the bet to get JP to say she loves her so that she could get financial help to get out of town and choose her own life, it was hard to sympathize with someone who was willing to embarrass and humiliate someone her age for her own reasons. She’s a hardworking and does everything by the book with so much passion, which is very admirable in YA protagonists. I did feel like she was a strong character too who had to wrestle between wanting to be a child and having to grow up early and know that she couldn’t rely on her parents who had her own struggles 📸
ੈ✩‧₊˚ I think JP and Mia’s relationship kicked off too quickly for me? I didn’t feel very invested when they began realizing their feelings for each other and I’m not so sure why. It just seemed like they jumped into it all at once. Maybe it would have felt a bit more natural if they had gotten to know each other more personally versus rushing in with their strong physical attractions to each other setting the rest of the tone of their relationship for the remainder of the book? I also wish there was more insight into JP and Mia’s family dynamics. There was a lot of telling of events to other characters instead of showing it. The ends being tied up with both their families felt a bit rushed towards the end too ⌛️
ੈ✩‧₊˚ The luxury resort setting was very fun to read about and I almost felt like I was there too with Mia and JP. I would give this a read if you want something fast-paced with underlying themes of grief, loss, and being brave enough to tell the truth and find your own path no matter how intimidating life gets ✈️
Thank you to Ellen Hagan and David Flores, Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
What to expect:
- Resort worker FMC x resort guest MMC 🏖️
- POC representation: Filipino MMC x Assyrian-Italian FMC 🇵🇭
- Summer romance ☀️
- Coming-of-age
- Mentions of substance use disorder, loss of a parent
ੈ✩‧₊˚ I loved the POC representation in this book so much. I saw so much of myself in John Paul “JP” Reyes and to have my culture be represented through him in this book is so inspiring. The casual mentions of food to culture of karaoke and Original Pilipino music were so nice to read. I almost wish we got more flashbacks of JP and his life when his dad was still alive because JP recounting all his fond memories rooted in Filipino culture and tradition made me feel so at home and like I belonged. He’s a pretty interesting character and I can somewhat understand why he felt the need to lie to Mia about his family. JP having doubts and pressure to carve a successful path out of lie was very relatable and I’m glad it was touched on in here 🇵🇭
ੈ✩‧₊˚ Mia Malik, our Assyrian-Italian FMC, was also interesting to learn about but in a different way. I feel like I had trouble connecting with Mia just because even though she only agreed to the bet to get JP to say she loves her so that she could get financial help to get out of town and choose her own life, it was hard to sympathize with someone who was willing to embarrass and humiliate someone her age for her own reasons. She’s a hardworking and does everything by the book with so much passion, which is very admirable in YA protagonists. I did feel like she was a strong character too who had to wrestle between wanting to be a child and having to grow up early and know that she couldn’t rely on her parents who had her own struggles 📸
ੈ✩‧₊˚ I think JP and Mia’s relationship kicked off too quickly for me? I didn’t feel very invested when they began realizing their feelings for each other and I’m not so sure why. It just seemed like they jumped into it all at once. Maybe it would have felt a bit more natural if they had gotten to know each other more personally versus rushing in with their strong physical attractions to each other setting the rest of the tone of their relationship for the remainder of the book? I also wish there was more insight into JP and Mia’s family dynamics. There was a lot of telling of events to other characters instead of showing it. The ends being tied up with both their families felt a bit rushed towards the end too ⌛️
ੈ✩‧₊˚ The luxury resort setting was very fun to read about and I almost felt like I was there too with Mia and JP. I would give this a read if you want something fast-paced with underlying themes of grief, loss, and being brave enough to tell the truth and find your own path no matter how intimidating life gets ✈️
Thank you to Ellen Hagan and David Flores, Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
What to expect:
- Resort worker FMC x resort guest MMC 🏖️
- POC representation: Filipino MMC x Assyrian-Italian FMC 🇵🇭
- Summer romance ☀️
- Coming-of-age
- Mentions of substance use disorder, loss of a parent
June 17, 2025
Mia and JP took me on a wild ride full of lies and unexpected adventures. I really enjoyed this book—it was the perfect escape from reality!
April 6, 2025
It’s been ages since I’ve read a young adult contemporary romance this good. A romance with fairly low drama, with depths of character backstory, with a quick bu authentic connection between our love interest and a setting that is relaxing and enjoyable and believable. Honestly, in a time where I’m really struggling to connect with stories and characters, Tell Me Every Lie was exactly the book I needed and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
John Paul. Recently graduated from high school. Mourning his father. And traveling to a fancy resort with his aunt, uncle and cousins, a place he knows he doesn’t belong. It’s meant to be when his family reconnect but who knows when his mother will come, if at all. So this summer, he’ll be JP rather than John Paul. Someone who is cool and calm rather than the guy who has to count his breaths to make it through the day.
Mia. One last summer until she finally makes it out of Monument, follows her dreams of a future far away doing something she loves. One last summer of looking after entitled goats (sorry, guests) at Majestic Mountain House resort. But a dare from an idiot coworker makes her dreams that one step closer. Who cares if she has to get a goat to fall in love with her, she’s desperate enough to do anything. It all starts with a lie. Multiple lies. JP lies about his family, who he is, what he’s into. Mia lies about her family, her dreams for the future and why she’d even be interested in JP. But despite the lies, John Paul and Mia might actually find a truth they didn’t realise they needed.
For a book all about lies and a dare, there is delightfully little drama. Sure there’s a bit of tension and your usual “I need to come clean and tell the truth” build up, but there is just something about JP and Mia’s connection. Add in a majestic backdrop, plenty of action, great side characters and some real depth to discussions around race, comics, substance abuse, and therapy, and you’ve got a fantastic book.
I adored JP’s chapters. So lyrical and descriptive. Mia’s chapters fit her chapter, facing things head on, pragmatic. Yes, their romance takes place over just five days. Yes, they lie to each. And yet, and yet!! There is something so genuine and enjoyable about their connection. It doesn’t feel rushed, despite the timeline and it feels so authentic despite their lies to each other.
I’m not a fan of the cover, got to be honest, but I did really enjoy this book. A great addition to the library’s romance collection and a book I’m more than happy to place in the school library.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
John Paul. Recently graduated from high school. Mourning his father. And traveling to a fancy resort with his aunt, uncle and cousins, a place he knows he doesn’t belong. It’s meant to be when his family reconnect but who knows when his mother will come, if at all. So this summer, he’ll be JP rather than John Paul. Someone who is cool and calm rather than the guy who has to count his breaths to make it through the day.
Mia. One last summer until she finally makes it out of Monument, follows her dreams of a future far away doing something she loves. One last summer of looking after entitled goats (sorry, guests) at Majestic Mountain House resort. But a dare from an idiot coworker makes her dreams that one step closer. Who cares if she has to get a goat to fall in love with her, she’s desperate enough to do anything. It all starts with a lie. Multiple lies. JP lies about his family, who he is, what he’s into. Mia lies about her family, her dreams for the future and why she’d even be interested in JP. But despite the lies, John Paul and Mia might actually find a truth they didn’t realise they needed.
For a book all about lies and a dare, there is delightfully little drama. Sure there’s a bit of tension and your usual “I need to come clean and tell the truth” build up, but there is just something about JP and Mia’s connection. Add in a majestic backdrop, plenty of action, great side characters and some real depth to discussions around race, comics, substance abuse, and therapy, and you’ve got a fantastic book.
I adored JP’s chapters. So lyrical and descriptive. Mia’s chapters fit her chapter, facing things head on, pragmatic. Yes, their romance takes place over just five days. Yes, they lie to each. And yet, and yet!! There is something so genuine and enjoyable about their connection. It doesn’t feel rushed, despite the timeline and it feels so authentic despite their lies to each other.
I’m not a fan of the cover, got to be honest, but I did really enjoy this book. A great addition to the library’s romance collection and a book I’m more than happy to place in the school library.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
June 21, 2025
With electricity, humor, grace, and kindness, Ellen Hagan + David Flores activate their writerly superpowers to deliver the touching and nuanced Tell Me Every Lie. This brilliant novel follows the stories of two young people looking to find their places in a world that seems constantly against them. As John Paul Reyes and Mia Malik deal with grief, family struggles, and the desire to be enough, their worlds collide on a dare and a lie - but there is truth and complexity to their love story.
It's as dreamy as Romeo and Juliet, if Romeo were a Filipino storytelling dancer in a Batman hoodie and Juliet were an Assyrian-Italian badass swimmer/skater with opinions and talents bold enough to fill the sky.
Hagan and Flores may no longer be teenagers, but they capture the teenage experience with empathy, a willingness to understand, and compassion.
Money, class, and what it means to feel like you belong - all these themes are explored with such eloquence it hurts.
The focus on detail, character development, and keeping things fresh, bold, and believable are the biggest strengths of the novel.
You'll be swallowed whole, entirely invested, gasping for breath at the edge of your seat - and left with the worst book hangover. That's the brilliance this work brings to the table.
The authors make it look easy to write such deep, nuanced, and profound love.
"This is the kind of story that starts with a lie," Flores writes.
And it's the kind that ends with blazing acceptance of oneself, with truth beyond your wildest imagination, with what it means to grow up, change, move on, and fall in love.
So here's my pitch, @Netflix:
A seven episode limited series. Tell Me Every Lie.
Love at Lake Majestic with just a week - let's make it happen, hm?
Who's with me? Don't lie.
It's as dreamy as Romeo and Juliet, if Romeo were a Filipino storytelling dancer in a Batman hoodie and Juliet were an Assyrian-Italian badass swimmer/skater with opinions and talents bold enough to fill the sky.
Hagan and Flores may no longer be teenagers, but they capture the teenage experience with empathy, a willingness to understand, and compassion.
Money, class, and what it means to feel like you belong - all these themes are explored with such eloquence it hurts.
The focus on detail, character development, and keeping things fresh, bold, and believable are the biggest strengths of the novel.
You'll be swallowed whole, entirely invested, gasping for breath at the edge of your seat - and left with the worst book hangover. That's the brilliance this work brings to the table.
The authors make it look easy to write such deep, nuanced, and profound love.
"This is the kind of story that starts with a lie," Flores writes.
And it's the kind that ends with blazing acceptance of oneself, with truth beyond your wildest imagination, with what it means to grow up, change, move on, and fall in love.
So here's my pitch, @Netflix:
A seven episode limited series. Tell Me Every Lie.
Love at Lake Majestic with just a week - let's make it happen, hm?
Who's with me? Don't lie.
September 1, 2025
"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies." This seems pretty straightforward and reasonable. But what happens when the lies come before, and after, the questions? This is the exact situation for JP (a guest) and Mia (a worker), the main characters in "Tell Me Every Lie" by @ellenhagan and @uptownandbrown
JP and Mia meet at Majestic Mountain resort. Their situation is complicated, right along with their family dynamics, and the circumstances that bring them together. What isn't complicated though, are the feelings they share for each other. Can those feelings outlive family drama, a petty bet, and lies? They have one week to figure it out, and a lot can happen during that time. Let's see if it works to their benefit...or demise.
While this is David and Ellen's first YA collaborative novel, I really hope it isn't their last. This was a good read! I can't wait to see what they come up with next.
JP and Mia meet at Majestic Mountain resort. Their situation is complicated, right along with their family dynamics, and the circumstances that bring them together. What isn't complicated though, are the feelings they share for each other. Can those feelings outlive family drama, a petty bet, and lies? They have one week to figure it out, and a lot can happen during that time. Let's see if it works to their benefit...or demise.
While this is David and Ellen's first YA collaborative novel, I really hope it isn't their last. This was a good read! I can't wait to see what they come up with next.
April 29, 2026
I absolutely loved Tell Me Every Lie. It is the perfect blend of romance, emotional depth, and personal growth. The story captures that complicated moment between adolescence and adulthood, when everything feels uncertain and every choice seems to carry enormous weight.
Mia and JP are such memorable protagonists. Both are navigating difficult family situations, personal expectations, and the challenge of figuring out who they really want to be. Their romance is beautifully developed, filled with genuine warmth, vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry.
What makes this book truly shine is its honesty. It explores themes of class, grief, ambition, and identity with grace and authenticity. By the final page, I felt deeply connected to these characters and their journeys. A powerful, moving, and wonderfully written novel.
Mia and JP are such memorable protagonists. Both are navigating difficult family situations, personal expectations, and the challenge of figuring out who they really want to be. Their romance is beautifully developed, filled with genuine warmth, vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry.
What makes this book truly shine is its honesty. It explores themes of class, grief, ambition, and identity with grace and authenticity. By the final page, I felt deeply connected to these characters and their journeys. A powerful, moving, and wonderfully written novel.
April 29, 2026
Tell Me Every Lie is a beautifully layered coming-of-age story wrapped in a heartfelt romance. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into Mia and JP's world, where appearances can be deceiving and every character is searching for something more meaningful.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth of the story. JP's grief and uncertainty about his future were handled with such sensitivity, while Mia's determination to build a better life for herself was inspiring. Their connection grows naturally, and the emotional stakes feel real every step of the way.
This is a story about love, yes, but also about self-discovery, honesty, and learning to embrace your true self. It is tender, smart, and deeply resonant. I finished it feeling both satisfied and reflective.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth of the story. JP's grief and uncertainty about his future were handled with such sensitivity, while Mia's determination to build a better life for herself was inspiring. Their connection grows naturally, and the emotional stakes feel real every step of the way.
This is a story about love, yes, but also about self-discovery, honesty, and learning to embrace your true self. It is tender, smart, and deeply resonant. I finished it feeling both satisfied and reflective.
March 2, 2026
tentative 4 stars… was going to give it 3.5 ⭐️ but i did enjoy the first half of the book a lot so i rounded it up.
unfortunately, once mia and jp started to fall for each other, i felt that some parts were just too unrealistic and fast-paced for a teenage relationship - especially one that takes place over eight days. other than that it was cute! it only took me so long to finish the book because i hit a reading slump 75% of the way through. that being said, mia and jp were fun to read about, and i also appreciated how hagan and flores dove into complicated family dynamics in the book. overall, it was an entertaining read!
unfortunately, once mia and jp started to fall for each other, i felt that some parts were just too unrealistic and fast-paced for a teenage relationship - especially one that takes place over eight days. other than that it was cute! it only took me so long to finish the book because i hit a reading slump 75% of the way through. that being said, mia and jp were fun to read about, and i also appreciated how hagan and flores dove into complicated family dynamics in the book. overall, it was an entertaining read!
September 20, 2025
Ellen Hagan and David Flores have outdone themselves with this tender and unruly story. The novel, told in two voices, is perfectly balanced between the alternating narrators. Each of the characters feels real - their very teenage selves running with pulse and emotion and stress and tension. I loved how JP talked about food, anxiety, and his very nuanced takes on comic books; how Mia talked about identity, addiction, and her body through movement (swimming, running etc.). I fell in love with both of these characters!! Read this book! Give this book as a gift to your favorite young adult!
April 11, 2026
The book was really fast paced but I’m a good way. I love all the descriptions of the mountains and the views of Mountain House. I also think it was so ironic how Mia and JP both made up lies about their families. And in the end they just wanted to be with each other. I also thought Cass and Tiffany were adorable. And the whole bet was just so silly. I was also sad about JP’s dada and Mia’s parents. But they both have accepted that they weren’t the people on the lies they made up. Overall if you want a nice summer story I recommend this book 8/10!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
June 14, 2025DNF @28%
I really wanted to love this one since the resort setting has so much potential and it sounded like a perfect summer read. However, I'm really struggling with the writing style, and I'm not enjoying the way the dialogue is written. I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but it feels a bit cringe to me. I also feel like I can tell exactly how the story is going to go, and I'm not invested enough to continue reading. Not for me, but I'm sure others may enjoy more than I did!
I really wanted to love this one since the resort setting has so much potential and it sounded like a perfect summer read. However, I'm really struggling with the writing style, and I'm not enjoying the way the dialogue is written. I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but it feels a bit cringe to me. I also feel like I can tell exactly how the story is going to go, and I'm not invested enough to continue reading. Not for me, but I'm sure others may enjoy more than I did!
January 1, 2026
Tell Me Every Lie is a thoughtful, moving read about the masks we wear and the courage it takes to remove them. It’s a meaningful story about finding truth, in others, and most importantly, in oneself. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven contemporaries that tackle real-world issues with heart and integrity.
March 27, 2026
This was a quick read but there were times I just wasn’t the biggest fan of the dialogue. Some parts felt a little slow for me and some parts I just wasn’t the biggest fan of the character personalities. I do appreciate the author tackling some deeper themes and the struggles that the characters have been through.
3⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
3⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
July 27, 2025
This was a sweet YA romance that I think teens will relate to and enjoy. it's all about finding the courage to show your true colors in the first stages of liking someone- otherwise, you run the risk of ruining something before it even has a chance to start.
July 12, 2026
Beautifully written! Hagan and Flores did an amazing job at alternating narrators, and incorporating every last cultural and emotional detail. Not sure if there's a second but based on how this ended I desperately hope this is. Beginning fantastic! Middle Perfect! End Magical and Romantic!
July 3, 2025
The writing here is excellent but I had a hard time with the story. There is so much sadness in JP's story and Mia is so angry. It was hard to read. Mia's snobbishness was also a bit hard when we get to spend time in JP's head and see he's largely guileless.
Do teens still watch Dirty Dancing? I feel like this one hits a lot of similar notes and has the perfect balance of nostalgia and yearning for what's next to appeal to fans of that movie.
I think this one will hit a lot of good notes for readers who want very summery vibes, camp adjacent stories, and something with the same kind of feels in Morgan Matson's YAs but with a bit more nuance and acknowledgement of privilege.
Do teens still watch Dirty Dancing? I feel like this one hits a lot of similar notes and has the perfect balance of nostalgia and yearning for what's next to appeal to fans of that movie.
I think this one will hit a lot of good notes for readers who want very summery vibes, camp adjacent stories, and something with the same kind of feels in Morgan Matson's YAs but with a bit more nuance and acknowledgement of privilege.
Read
July 31, 2025Thanks to libro fm for the advanced audio educator copy. I enjoyed the book but did not like the audio of the male reader.
October 10, 2025
A fun summer romance full of secrets and drama. I didn't love the messaging of tricking someone into falling for you, but the personal stories were really well done.
October 13, 2025
"That's the truth. We've already told each other every lie."
February 12, 2026
this was a cute little story & a quick read. it took too long for them to admit their truths to each other, but the book had a good ending
April 1, 2026
Very mid nothing spectacular happened. I read it last night and already forgot the plot
August 30, 2026
got this as an arc and I really enjoyed how unique the plot was. Loved the ending. Overall very cute story.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews