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Two Perfect Lies
The first lie made Lily a savior. The second framed Clara for murder.
If it weren't for Lily, Clara would still be a total outcast, shunned for her role in an incident that gave her a criminal record and ruined another girl's life. She's spent the past two years trying to escape that night, and ever since Lily Dalton befriended her, she's almost succeeded. After all, Lily's the golden girl of the high school—smart, popular, beloved by all—and as her best friend, Clara's now the bright, hard-working chemistry whiz.
But is Lily really just the good-hearted friend who saved Clara from the past? Because lately Lily has been talking about certain classmates and teachers—about wanting revenge. Do you ever think about making them pay? she asks. How would you do it? Lily has to be joking. At least that's what Clara thinks, until she finds a folder that outlines a deadly plan, including detailed steps and a list of targets in their school.
Shockingly, there's even more to Lily's plan, and it has everything to do with Clara. After all, everyone already knows what she did two years ago. Suddenly all the evidence has been turned against her, and there's no way she can prove her innocence. And the people on that list of targets? One after the next, they're meeting terrible fates, and Clara's looking guiltier by the second. It's up to Clara to find the truth and clear her name, before it's too late.
If it weren't for Lily, Clara would still be a total outcast, shunned for her role in an incident that gave her a criminal record and ruined another girl's life. She's spent the past two years trying to escape that night, and ever since Lily Dalton befriended her, she's almost succeeded. After all, Lily's the golden girl of the high school—smart, popular, beloved by all—and as her best friend, Clara's now the bright, hard-working chemistry whiz.
But is Lily really just the good-hearted friend who saved Clara from the past? Because lately Lily has been talking about certain classmates and teachers—about wanting revenge. Do you ever think about making them pay? she asks. How would you do it? Lily has to be joking. At least that's what Clara thinks, until she finds a folder that outlines a deadly plan, including detailed steps and a list of targets in their school.
Shockingly, there's even more to Lily's plan, and it has everything to do with Clara. After all, everyone already knows what she did two years ago. Suddenly all the evidence has been turned against her, and there's no way she can prove her innocence. And the people on that list of targets? One after the next, they're meeting terrible fates, and Clara's looking guiltier by the second. It's up to Clara to find the truth and clear her name, before it's too late.
338 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
March 31, 2026
Part sky-high tension and part palpable emotion, Two Perfect Lies had me instantly hooked from the very first page. With complex characters, a relentless pace, and layers of small, devious twists, this coming-of-age tale-meets-chilling revenge thriller was an edge-of-your-seat read that I couldn’t put down. Yup. You guessed it. It was yet another book that I inhaled in well under twenty-four hours. You see, with toxic friendships, ultra high stakes, and oodles of high school drama, it was a juicy look at the dark side of being a teen as well as one heck of an unguessable murder mystery. I mean, not only was this YA novel suspenseful, clever, thrilling, and taut, but the wicked manipulations and eye-popping betrayals had me literally swearing out loud again and again.
What else did I love about this dark, addictive read? Well, not only did it have me reimagining what my school days would have been like with a devil queen bee frenemy, but it explored identity, guilt, and redemption in a way that made it perfect for both adults and teens. Easily illustrating the popular girl-versus-the outcast dynamic that was both believable and raw, I definitely recommend checking my trigger list before diving in. You see, even though it was free of gory scenes, the gritty details just might hit a bit too close to home. But if you’re looking for a book that feels like Gossip Girl with a side of Cruel Summer, know that you’ve found it right here. Just be ready to throw your plans out the window so you can binge this unputdownable thrill ride in one single go. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
The first lie made Lily a savior. The second framed Clara for murder. If it weren't for Lily, Clara would still be a total outcast, shunned for her role in an incident that gave her a criminal record and ruined another girl's life. She's spent the past two years trying to escape that night, and ever since Lily Dalton befriended her, she's almost succeeded. After all, Lily's the golden girl of the high school―smart, popular, beloved by all―and as her best friend, Clara's now the bright, hard-working chemistry whiz.
But is Lily really just the good-hearted friend who saved Clara from the past? Because lately Lily has been talking about certain classmates and teachers―about wanting revenge. Do you ever think about making them pay? she asks. How would you do it? Lily has to be joking. At least that's what Clara thinks, until she finds a folder that outlines a deadly plan, including detailed steps and a list of targets in their school.
Shockingly, there's even more to Lily's plan, and it has everything to do with Clara. After all, everyone already knows what she did two years ago. Suddenly all the evidence has been turned against her, and there's no way she can prove her innocence. And the people on that list of targets? One after the next, they're meeting terrible fates, and Clara's looking guiltier by the second. It's up to Clara to find the truth and clear her name, before it's too late.
Thank you Natalie D. Richards and Sourcebooks Fire for my complimentary Midnight Reads PR box. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 17, 2026
Content warning: bullying, gaslighting, stalking, toxic friendship, child abuse, adult/minor relationship, violence, rape, police brutality, racism
What else did I love about this dark, addictive read? Well, not only did it have me reimagining what my school days would have been like with a devil queen bee frenemy, but it explored identity, guilt, and redemption in a way that made it perfect for both adults and teens. Easily illustrating the popular girl-versus-the outcast dynamic that was both believable and raw, I definitely recommend checking my trigger list before diving in. You see, even though it was free of gory scenes, the gritty details just might hit a bit too close to home. But if you’re looking for a book that feels like Gossip Girl with a side of Cruel Summer, know that you’ve found it right here. Just be ready to throw your plans out the window so you can binge this unputdownable thrill ride in one single go. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
The first lie made Lily a savior. The second framed Clara for murder. If it weren't for Lily, Clara would still be a total outcast, shunned for her role in an incident that gave her a criminal record and ruined another girl's life. She's spent the past two years trying to escape that night, and ever since Lily Dalton befriended her, she's almost succeeded. After all, Lily's the golden girl of the high school―smart, popular, beloved by all―and as her best friend, Clara's now the bright, hard-working chemistry whiz.
But is Lily really just the good-hearted friend who saved Clara from the past? Because lately Lily has been talking about certain classmates and teachers―about wanting revenge. Do you ever think about making them pay? she asks. How would you do it? Lily has to be joking. At least that's what Clara thinks, until she finds a folder that outlines a deadly plan, including detailed steps and a list of targets in their school.
Shockingly, there's even more to Lily's plan, and it has everything to do with Clara. After all, everyone already knows what she did two years ago. Suddenly all the evidence has been turned against her, and there's no way she can prove her innocence. And the people on that list of targets? One after the next, they're meeting terrible fates, and Clara's looking guiltier by the second. It's up to Clara to find the truth and clear her name, before it's too late.
Thank you Natalie D. Richards and Sourcebooks Fire for my complimentary Midnight Reads PR box. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 17, 2026
Content warning: bullying, gaslighting, stalking, toxic friendship, child abuse, adult/minor relationship, violence, rape, police brutality, racism
March 19, 2026
No because I hated it. I found it lacked substance, the plot felt repetitive and overall just not a good time.
Want to Read
January 28, 2026ARC received! Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS Fire!!
April 30, 2026
i gave Two Perfect Lies 3 stars. it wasn’t bad, but it also didn’t fully hit for me either. the concept was actually really interesting and pulled me in at the start, but the pacing felt kinda off. like parts of it dragged and then other parts moved way too fast.
i liked the atmosphere and the whole tension it was trying to build, but i didn’t feel super connected to the characters. their decisions were a little frustrating at times and made it hard to stay fully invested.
overall it’s an okay read if you want something a bit suspenseful, just don’t go in expecting anything crazy.
i liked the atmosphere and the whole tension it was trying to build, but i didn’t feel super connected to the characters. their decisions were a little frustrating at times and made it hard to stay fully invested.
overall it’s an okay read if you want something a bit suspenseful, just don’t go in expecting anything crazy.
April 24, 2026
This was a very quick read with an interesting plotline. Set in high school, this just reminded me of how cruel teenagers can be to each other. But at the same time, Richards tries to add a layer of depth to the characters to give something more to the mystery, and this is where I started to lose it because some of these plot points - I just don't think a teenage girl is smart enough or has the means to carry all of this out.
The story focuses on Clara, our MC, who made a pretty horrible mistake in the past and has spent the past few years making up for it. When she joins the popular crowd she feels like she's finally been accepted. If the most popular girl in school likes her, then everything is fine, right? Honestly, I had to keep reminding myself that Clara was a child because some of her choices were just not it. And her blind allegiance to Lily had me screaming in frustration. But she's a teenager and she wants to believe her best friend.
The mystery, from the beginning, seemed rather over the top, even throwing in Clara's past - the cops were pretty clueless and I find it hard to believe that no one could do any detective work except 2 high school students. But here we are. I rated this three stars because it did keep me reading - I read it in pretty much one sitting - and there were some fun parts to it. But over all, it was just okay for me and didn't really bring anything new or exciting to teen thrillers.
The story focuses on Clara, our MC, who made a pretty horrible mistake in the past and has spent the past few years making up for it. When she joins the popular crowd she feels like she's finally been accepted. If the most popular girl in school likes her, then everything is fine, right? Honestly, I had to keep reminding myself that Clara was a child because some of her choices were just not it. And her blind allegiance to Lily had me screaming in frustration. But she's a teenager and she wants to believe her best friend.
The mystery, from the beginning, seemed rather over the top, even throwing in Clara's past - the cops were pretty clueless and I find it hard to believe that no one could do any detective work except 2 high school students. But here we are. I rated this three stars because it did keep me reading - I read it in pretty much one sitting - and there were some fun parts to it. But over all, it was just okay for me and didn't really bring anything new or exciting to teen thrillers.
Read
April 19, 2026
Trigger & Content Warnings
Racism
Child abuse
Rape
Bullying
Stalking
Police brutality
Racism
Child abuse
Rape
Bullying
Stalking
Police brutality
March 27, 2026
This is a relatively fast-paced, somewhat twisty YA thriller. It kept me invested, even when I began to suspect what the actual catalyst was all along.
That being said, this book falls prey to the same issue just about every other YA mystery/thriller does.
The characters do NOT act like teenaged human beings.
Nothing about Clara reads as adolescent except that she cries sometimes and keeps making the stupidest decisions known to man.
Trying to solve her own wrongfully-accused case is harrowing enough, but it's like she can't see Lily for who she is for the vast majority of this story. She keeps putting herself in worse and worse compromising positions with this girl without proof of why she's there and what she's doing. She keeps showing up at crime scenes just in time to be on scene when the cops arrive. She keeps not having an alibi whenever stuff goes down (although maybe that's not 100% her fault).
She doesn't learn, not the first time, or the second, or the third.
By the time things begin to turn around for Clara, I was ready to convict her of being a dumbass and lock her up just to get her out of society. People acting this idiotically shouldn't' be walking among us.
That being said, the plot itself was good. The drama was an interesting element. The way several kids come together to help Clara figure out what the hell is actually happening was a good touch. Taking out of the story that most of these people are still teenagers, the puzzling out of the different layers and elements of Lily's plan was pretty entertaining to follow.
I also really liked Henry and his and Clara's developing romance. It was super sweet to see him support her, even when everybody else in the town - including a few asshole cops - think she's guilty.
There's a bit of a jump-scare confession at the end when we learn about what really set Lily off trying to frame Clara for all these terrible crimes. I wasn't terribly surprised by it - I'd suspected something was going on, I just got the wrong person for the crime.
Trigger warning for .
If you enjoy mostly-clean YA stories - specifically books like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - and you like mysteries and wrongfully-accused scenarios in general, you'll probably enjoy this one. This is one of those stories that would make a good starting point for those trying to get into this genre.
That being said, this book falls prey to the same issue just about every other YA mystery/thriller does.
The characters do NOT act like teenaged human beings.
Nothing about Clara reads as adolescent except that she cries sometimes and keeps making the stupidest decisions known to man.
Trying to solve her own wrongfully-accused case is harrowing enough, but it's like she can't see Lily for who she is for the vast majority of this story. She keeps putting herself in worse and worse compromising positions with this girl without proof of why she's there and what she's doing. She keeps showing up at crime scenes just in time to be on scene when the cops arrive. She keeps not having an alibi whenever stuff goes down (although maybe that's not 100% her fault).
She doesn't learn, not the first time, or the second, or the third.
By the time things begin to turn around for Clara, I was ready to convict her of being a dumbass and lock her up just to get her out of society. People acting this idiotically shouldn't' be walking among us.
That being said, the plot itself was good. The drama was an interesting element. The way several kids come together to help Clara figure out what the hell is actually happening was a good touch. Taking out of the story that most of these people are still teenagers, the puzzling out of the different layers and elements of Lily's plan was pretty entertaining to follow.
I also really liked Henry and his and Clara's developing romance. It was super sweet to see him support her, even when everybody else in the town - including a few asshole cops - think she's guilty.
There's a bit of a jump-scare confession at the end when we learn about what really set Lily off trying to frame Clara for all these terrible crimes. I wasn't terribly surprised by it - I'd suspected something was going on, I just got the wrong person for the crime.
Trigger warning for .
If you enjoy mostly-clean YA stories - specifically books like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - and you like mysteries and wrongfully-accused scenarios in general, you'll probably enjoy this one. This is one of those stories that would make a good starting point for those trying to get into this genre.
March 26, 2026
It was somewhat disjointed
It didn't flow at all
It didn't flow at all
March 17, 2026
I enjoyed nice easy full to story kept you guess what could be.
high school junior Clara discovers a shocking truth about her best friend.
Lily has a dark side and deadly plan. And she's orchestrated every last detail to make Clara look guilty.
The first lie made Lily a savior. The second framed Clara for murder.
high school junior Clara discovers a shocking truth about her best friend.
Lily has a dark side and deadly plan. And she's orchestrated every last detail to make Clara look guilty.
The first lie made Lily a savior. The second framed Clara for murder.
March 31, 2026
I’m sorry, what in the what in the what.
I can’t tell you how much of a blast I had reading this book late into the night. Despite how cheesy the plot twists were, if I was able to finish it and not want to stop, this means the book did its job.
Truly I did not mean to finish this all in one sitting, yet here we are. The whole book centers on a revenge motive, laced with a couple murders in between.
I kinda wish the book took a darker turn and made it like a Scream movie, where there was a masked killer and the main character has to find out who it really is. But maybe that would have been cliche too.
All in all, this kinda reminded me “Gone Too Far” by Richards, because it also borrows some of the same elements. Except, one character was drawn into the action whereas the other was trying to prove she was framed. So I guess there’s a tiny difference.
Clara has to prove her innocence after her friend decides she wants to implicate her in this crazy revenge scheme. The whole book goes back and forth between finding clues and what not, I kinda just wanted to see how it would all play out. It was like a chess game, where you had to connect all the pieces.
This marks my second book by Natalie D. Richards, and while I don’t venture too much into YA thrillers, for her novels, I am willing to make an exception. Some of the plot twists, which involved child abuse, accidents in a pool, etc…were…certainly interesting. But it kinda just connected back to this whole complicated web of a girl with mental health issues and a friend trying to figure secrets out before it’s too late. So when I spin it like that, I would say this is a psychological thriller and mystery.
I loved how I was constantly flipping the pages and just so into it. Gosh I needed this, I’ve been reading so much classical literature lately, and a YA book is just the right way to cleanse my mind.
Will definitely be adding Richards to my favorite YA writers list, and will possibly read more of her other books when I have time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️*/5 stars
I can’t tell you how much of a blast I had reading this book late into the night. Despite how cheesy the plot twists were, if I was able to finish it and not want to stop, this means the book did its job.
Truly I did not mean to finish this all in one sitting, yet here we are. The whole book centers on a revenge motive, laced with a couple murders in between.
I kinda wish the book took a darker turn and made it like a Scream movie, where there was a masked killer and the main character has to find out who it really is. But maybe that would have been cliche too.
All in all, this kinda reminded me “Gone Too Far” by Richards, because it also borrows some of the same elements. Except, one character was drawn into the action whereas the other was trying to prove she was framed. So I guess there’s a tiny difference.
Clara has to prove her innocence after her friend decides she wants to implicate her in this crazy revenge scheme. The whole book goes back and forth between finding clues and what not, I kinda just wanted to see how it would all play out. It was like a chess game, where you had to connect all the pieces.
This marks my second book by Natalie D. Richards, and while I don’t venture too much into YA thrillers, for her novels, I am willing to make an exception. Some of the plot twists, which involved child abuse, accidents in a pool, etc…were…certainly interesting. But it kinda just connected back to this whole complicated web of a girl with mental health issues and a friend trying to figure secrets out before it’s too late. So when I spin it like that, I would say this is a psychological thriller and mystery.
I loved how I was constantly flipping the pages and just so into it. Gosh I needed this, I’ve been reading so much classical literature lately, and a YA book is just the right way to cleanse my mind.
Will definitely be adding Richards to my favorite YA writers list, and will possibly read more of her other books when I have time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️*/5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2026
I loved this book! Although the plot twist at the end I did guess. BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT Henry and Clara!!!!!! I need a seprate book of them being together and the aftermath of Lily and if she's going to jail for life!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2025
“Two Perfect Lie”s by Natalie D. Richards hooked me from the very first chapter. The pacing is fast, the tension feels real, and the characters are layered in ways that make you question everyone’s motives. I loved how it balanced suspense with real emotional depth, especially around friendship and trust. It’s one of those thrillers where you keep saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s midnight.
The story kept me guessing the whole way through and delivered some genuinely surprising twists that actually made sense. Richards writes teens in a believable, grounded way without making them feel like caricatures. They feel real and raw and you experience every emotion right along with them.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
The story kept me guessing the whole way through and delivered some genuinely surprising twists that actually made sense. Richards writes teens in a believable, grounded way without making them feel like caricatures. They feel real and raw and you experience every emotion right along with them.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Want to Read
October 31, 2025Love this author! Excited we're getting another story in 2026!
April 25, 2026
4.75🌟
I am shocked with how much I enjoyed this book because I have never come across such an unhinged high schooler in my life. That just made everything happening around that character so much more entertaining while keeping me on pins and needles trying to piece together the why behind it all. I honestly didn't want to put this book down for a single second. I loved that it manages to keep any juvenile cliches at bay while actually speaking on some seriously heavy subject matter that completely changes your perspective on why things went down the way they did.
The story kicks off with two best friends where one is a chemistry brainiac headed for a great college and the other is a popular girl who easily pulls people into her orbit despite constantly having the rug pulled out from under her. Things take a massive dramatic turn when their casual talk about getting revenge on teachers and classmates suddenly leads to one of them getting arrested for conspiracy to commit terrorism and eventually murder. The craziest part is the other friend is the key cog who put that spotlight on her which kicks off an intense cat and mouse game of one girl trying to clear her name while the other stays one step ahead.
Getting to the actual reason behind everything was shocking to say the least and I loved every single minute of watching their dynamic play out. The back and forth was so fun even when I found myself wanting to literally scream at the book because you could see a setup coming from a mile away. There was not a single dull moment thanks to the quick pacing and high entertainment factor so I really cannot say enough good things about how well written this is and the author deserves a massive bravo for bringing a totally fresh vibe to the YA thriller space.
I am shocked with how much I enjoyed this book because I have never come across such an unhinged high schooler in my life. That just made everything happening around that character so much more entertaining while keeping me on pins and needles trying to piece together the why behind it all. I honestly didn't want to put this book down for a single second. I loved that it manages to keep any juvenile cliches at bay while actually speaking on some seriously heavy subject matter that completely changes your perspective on why things went down the way they did.
The story kicks off with two best friends where one is a chemistry brainiac headed for a great college and the other is a popular girl who easily pulls people into her orbit despite constantly having the rug pulled out from under her. Things take a massive dramatic turn when their casual talk about getting revenge on teachers and classmates suddenly leads to one of them getting arrested for conspiracy to commit terrorism and eventually murder. The craziest part is the other friend is the key cog who put that spotlight on her which kicks off an intense cat and mouse game of one girl trying to clear her name while the other stays one step ahead.
Getting to the actual reason behind everything was shocking to say the least and I loved every single minute of watching their dynamic play out. The back and forth was so fun even when I found myself wanting to literally scream at the book because you could see a setup coming from a mile away. There was not a single dull moment thanks to the quick pacing and high entertainment factor so I really cannot say enough good things about how well written this is and the author deserves a massive bravo for bringing a totally fresh vibe to the YA thriller space.
May 19, 2026
This book put me through EVERY emotion possible. I was stressed, angry, frustrated, suspicious… and completely hooked the entire time.
From pretty early on, I knew Lily was guilty — but somehow that didn’t make the story any less intense. If anything, it made it worse because watching how calculating and manipulative she was had me constantly waiting for the next horrible thing she’d do. The more I learned about her, the more I genuinely hated her character. I was fully rooting for her downfall by the end.
What really made this story work for me though was Clara. Yes, she made a stupid mistake, and she absolutely paid for it in more ways than one, but underneath all of it you could tell she was a genuinely good person. Even after it became painfully obvious Lily was setting her up to take the blame, Clara still cared about her and kept thinking something had to be wrong with Lily rather than immediately turning cruel herself. That honestly made Clara feel very real and easy to root for.
One thing about thrillers like this is they can sometimes lose momentum when the reader already knows who the “bad guy” is early on. A lot of times it ends up feeling predictable or like the final reveal won’t hit hard enough. But this one still managed to surprise me. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the ending threw in a twist I genuinely wasn’t expecting — and it made the whole journey worth it.
The pacing was fast, the tension never really stopped, and the toxic friendship dynamic was honestly one of the strongest parts of the book. If you love YA thrillers filled with manipulation, revenge, lies, and characters that make you yell at the pages, this is absolutely worth picking up.
From pretty early on, I knew Lily was guilty — but somehow that didn’t make the story any less intense. If anything, it made it worse because watching how calculating and manipulative she was had me constantly waiting for the next horrible thing she’d do. The more I learned about her, the more I genuinely hated her character. I was fully rooting for her downfall by the end.
What really made this story work for me though was Clara. Yes, she made a stupid mistake, and she absolutely paid for it in more ways than one, but underneath all of it you could tell she was a genuinely good person. Even after it became painfully obvious Lily was setting her up to take the blame, Clara still cared about her and kept thinking something had to be wrong with Lily rather than immediately turning cruel herself. That honestly made Clara feel very real and easy to root for.
One thing about thrillers like this is they can sometimes lose momentum when the reader already knows who the “bad guy” is early on. A lot of times it ends up feeling predictable or like the final reveal won’t hit hard enough. But this one still managed to surprise me. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the ending threw in a twist I genuinely wasn’t expecting — and it made the whole journey worth it.
The pacing was fast, the tension never really stopped, and the toxic friendship dynamic was honestly one of the strongest parts of the book. If you love YA thrillers filled with manipulation, revenge, lies, and characters that make you yell at the pages, this is absolutely worth picking up.
November 2, 2025
*3 ½ stars rounded up to 4 stars*
Big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC! Expected to be published in March of 2026.
I own almost all of Natalie D. Richards’ books and I always enjoy reading them! Two Perfect Lies was no exception.
Clara became an outcast two years ago after an incident involving criminal charges. However, becoming friends with Lily helped restore her reputation and save her future education in chemistry. One day Lily suddenly starts acting suspicious – asking how to blow up cars, asking if Clara ever wants to get revenge on other students and teachers, and just acting strange in general. Before Clara can turn Lily in for conspiracy to harm someone, she finds herself once again being arrested for the plan. It seems Lily has pinned it all on her and Clara has to find out why before the evidence is too stacked against her.
Just like Richards’ other books, the suspense kept me engaged in the book. The suspense wasn’t super intense (not that it has to be in order to be suspenseful) but it kept me intrigued. I love how the answers to the mysteries are slowly fed to the reader little by little throughout the book. Mysteries such as what Clara did two years prior, what Lily was planning to do, why Lily was planning any of it in the first place.
All the payoff to the suspense and mystery was just okay. I honestly expected a little bit more. Maybe like another plot twist to make it even more satisfying. But regardless it all wrapped up well enough.
It wasn’t the most intense book from Richards’ that I’ve read, but it was still enjoyable and entertaining. Suspense and mysteries that keep you guessing and wondering what is going to happen.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC! Expected to be published in March of 2026.
I own almost all of Natalie D. Richards’ books and I always enjoy reading them! Two Perfect Lies was no exception.
Clara became an outcast two years ago after an incident involving criminal charges. However, becoming friends with Lily helped restore her reputation and save her future education in chemistry. One day Lily suddenly starts acting suspicious – asking how to blow up cars, asking if Clara ever wants to get revenge on other students and teachers, and just acting strange in general. Before Clara can turn Lily in for conspiracy to harm someone, she finds herself once again being arrested for the plan. It seems Lily has pinned it all on her and Clara has to find out why before the evidence is too stacked against her.
Just like Richards’ other books, the suspense kept me engaged in the book. The suspense wasn’t super intense (not that it has to be in order to be suspenseful) but it kept me intrigued. I love how the answers to the mysteries are slowly fed to the reader little by little throughout the book. Mysteries such as what Clara did two years prior, what Lily was planning to do, why Lily was planning any of it in the first place.
All the payoff to the suspense and mystery was just okay. I honestly expected a little bit more. Maybe like another plot twist to make it even more satisfying. But regardless it all wrapped up well enough.
It wasn’t the most intense book from Richards’ that I’ve read, but it was still enjoyable and entertaining. Suspense and mysteries that keep you guessing and wondering what is going to happen.
June 9, 2026
At the very start of the book, I wasn’t exactly impressed. I felt like the way the arrest and legal proceedings were handled was pretty flimsy. From what I remember, when the main character was arrested, she repeatedly asked what the grounds for her arrest were and never seemed to get a clear answer. Meanwhile, the officers were already discussing potential charges before she even understood what was going on. I’m not expecting perfect legal accuracy in a fiction novel, but it did bother me that things like probable cause and due process felt glossed over. Some of the basic legal procedures just seemed oversimplified.
Aside from that start, this book was pretty interesting. Lily’s character was fascinating. I mean, I hated her, but the author absolutely nailed the pathological liar aspect of her personality.
All that to say, this was a pretty alright book. I love this author, but the mystery itself wasn’t particularly groundbreaking. In my opinion, Five Total Strangers was a masterpiece and had me hooked from page one. There was a constant sense of mystery, tension, and panic that kept me turning pages. This book never quite reached that level. The ending wasn’t bad, but there weren’t many twists along the way to keep the suspense building. You know who the antagonist is the entire time, and there aren’t any huge reveals or shocking turns that completely change your understanding of the story. It’s not a bad book by any means, it was enjoyable enough, but compared to the author’s previous work, it just felt okay.
Aside from that start, this book was pretty interesting. Lily’s character was fascinating. I mean, I hated her, but the author absolutely nailed the pathological liar aspect of her personality.
All that to say, this was a pretty alright book. I love this author, but the mystery itself wasn’t particularly groundbreaking. In my opinion, Five Total Strangers was a masterpiece and had me hooked from page one. There was a constant sense of mystery, tension, and panic that kept me turning pages. This book never quite reached that level. The ending wasn’t bad, but there weren’t many twists along the way to keep the suspense building. You know who the antagonist is the entire time, and there aren’t any huge reveals or shocking turns that completely change your understanding of the story. It’s not a bad book by any means, it was enjoyable enough, but compared to the author’s previous work, it just felt okay.
June 14, 2026
Going into this book, I have to admit I had some reservations. I was expecting a somewhat immature or standard young adult mystery, but I was incredibly surprised by how mature and well-crafted the narrative actually turned out to be. It completely defied my expectations in the best way possible.
That being said, this book made me feel so many things while reading it. To be completely honest, I found myself deeply annoyed at times — the kind of frustration that only a truly gripping thriller can inflict when the tension is dialed up to eleven and you are desperate for answers.
Despite the frustration (or maybe because of it), I was absolutely on the edge of my seat from start to finish trying to piece together the puzzle and figure out the final result. Natalie D. Richards does a fantastic job of keeping the suspense taut, leading you down one path only to yank the rug out from under you.
And speaking of the ending — wow! I was genuinely shocked by the massive, twisted turn at the very end. I did not see it coming at all, and it made the entire ride completely worth it.
If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller and mystery that will keep you guessing, second-guessing, and slightly losing your mind in the process, I highly recommend picking this one up.
That being said, this book made me feel so many things while reading it. To be completely honest, I found myself deeply annoyed at times — the kind of frustration that only a truly gripping thriller can inflict when the tension is dialed up to eleven and you are desperate for answers.
Despite the frustration (or maybe because of it), I was absolutely on the edge of my seat from start to finish trying to piece together the puzzle and figure out the final result. Natalie D. Richards does a fantastic job of keeping the suspense taut, leading you down one path only to yank the rug out from under you.
And speaking of the ending — wow! I was genuinely shocked by the massive, twisted turn at the very end. I did not see it coming at all, and it made the entire ride completely worth it.
If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller and mystery that will keep you guessing, second-guessing, and slightly losing your mind in the process, I highly recommend picking this one up.
May 28, 2026
Two Little Lies is a fast-paced YA thriller, which is hard to put down. The premise is bonkers, but it all rattles along so you keep reading to see what comes next.
Our main character, Clara, has things in her past that she wishes she hadn’t done. Since being arrested at school for an injury caused to a fellow student Lily has worked hard to do the right thing. Unfortunately, mud sticks…and someone close to her is determined to exploit this to their own advantage.
We follow Clara as some strange events start happening. Before we know it Clara is arrested for threatening to blow up the school…except this is a set-up and the person behind it is Lily, the girl she believes to be her best friend.
The book follows Clara in her desperate bid to work out why Lily is setting her up, and to find proof that she is not the one behind the trail of chaotic events that have been happening.
Our main character, Clara, has things in her past that she wishes she hadn’t done. Since being arrested at school for an injury caused to a fellow student Lily has worked hard to do the right thing. Unfortunately, mud sticks…and someone close to her is determined to exploit this to their own advantage.
We follow Clara as some strange events start happening. Before we know it Clara is arrested for threatening to blow up the school…except this is a set-up and the person behind it is Lily, the girl she believes to be her best friend.
The book follows Clara in her desperate bid to work out why Lily is setting her up, and to find proof that she is not the one behind the trail of chaotic events that have been happening.
February 23, 2026
I’ve read a few books by Natalie D. Richards, and Two Perfect Lies might be one of my favorites from her. The suspense isn’t over-the-top “intense”, but it’s the kind that keeps you completely locked in because you need to know the answers.
The story slowly feeds you pieces of the puzzle, what Clara did two years ago, what Lily is planning, and the biggest question of all… why. Every time a new detail dropped, I just wanted to keep reading to figure out how everything connected. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
I also loved how layered the friendships were. The dynamic between Clara and Lily constantly had me questioning motives, loyalty, and who was really manipulating who. Add in the twists, secrets, and mounting tension, and it made for a really engaging ride.
Overall, this was twisty, addictive, and full of just enough surprises to keep me guessing until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The story slowly feeds you pieces of the puzzle, what Clara did two years ago, what Lily is planning, and the biggest question of all… why. Every time a new detail dropped, I just wanted to keep reading to figure out how everything connected. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
I also loved how layered the friendships were. The dynamic between Clara and Lily constantly had me questioning motives, loyalty, and who was really manipulating who. Add in the twists, secrets, and mounting tension, and it made for a really engaging ride.
Overall, this was twisty, addictive, and full of just enough surprises to keep me guessing until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 21, 2026
I really loved this book. I never heard of this author or this book before I went to Barnes & Noble and found it on a Buy One Get One 50% off table. I read the back and it interested me, so I decided to buy it. I started this book at the beginning of my school day, and had 60 pages left after school, and I was so invested that I finished it at home. I would recommend this book to anyone. I felt as if I was Clara and the thought stressed me out so much, due to the conflict she is in.
January 11, 2026
This was a great, bingeable young adult thriller. I enjoyed following Clara in this story as she worked to clear her name and figure out why her best friend was framing her. This book had an intriguing storyline and complex characters, making it hard to put down. Two Perfect Lies was packed with twists and turns as well as secrets and lies and kept me guessing as to how it would end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.
Thank you @sourcebooksfire for the gifted arc.
Thank you @sourcebooksfire for the gifted arc.
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February 5, 2026Two Perfect Lies was jam packed with crazy twists and even more unexpected turns! I totally loved Clara and how she was determined to clear her name.. The twists and turns will keep you at the edge of your seat and second guessing until the very end..
June 19, 2026
2 ⭐⭐
Pretty juvenile plot for a murder mystery. There were multiple typos and confusing execution (the revealing of clues, explaining relationships, etc...). However the idea was interesting and the antagonist was perfectly hateable.
If you like cheesy Wattpad fiction, this book is for you.
Pretty juvenile plot for a murder mystery. There were multiple typos and confusing execution (the revealing of clues, explaining relationships, etc...). However the idea was interesting and the antagonist was perfectly hateable.
If you like cheesy Wattpad fiction, this book is for you.
March 28, 2026
i have yet to read a book from natalie d. richards that i didn’t enjoy
April 16, 2026
Fast pace and also kinda boring.
April 27, 2026
This was a pretty good read! It was fast paced as well
June 7, 2026
Definitely more than 2 lies.
March 29, 2026
A great young adult mystery in which one teen accuses another teen of plotting to blow up the school's parking lot. This novel contained much teen drama and shows the fickleness of teenage friendships.
April 12, 2026
Definitely YA but moved quickly and easy to get through
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