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The Lies We Trade
A high-powered Wall Street career, a beautiful family in a quiet suburban neighborhood—she seems to have everything. Which means she has everything to lose.
Meredith Hansel should be having the best week of her life. After establishing herself as a portfolio manager at a prestigious Wall Street firm, she’s in the national spotlight for the innovative funds she created. But as Meredith prepares to celebrate, the plates she’s kept spinning for years begin to Her strained marriage reaches a breaking point. Her conscientious teenage daughter acts out under mysterious pressures. Someone vandalizes her home with disturbing graffiti. And Betsey, her most trusted ally at the financial firm, goes rogue, and Meredith is forced to sign a restraining order against her.
Then her worlds collide when she receives a thumb drive and a cryptic note from Betsey threatening to reveal a secret that could have devastating effects on Meredith’s family . . . unless she can figure out what Betsey wants and deliver it in time.
As Meredith begins to dig into the data, however, she begins to suspect that it’s no coincidence her life is crumbling. That maybe what’s happening to her family is connected to what’s boiling beneath the surface at her investment company. Soon Meredith realizes there’s only one way to avoid taking the fall, and it all hinges on Betsey’s true motives. Was she really threatening Meredith or trying to warn her?
Great for fans of Colleen Coble, Laura Dave, Dani Pettrey, and Lisa ScottolineClean, high-stakes women’s domestic suspense with workplace secrets and family dramaA stand-alone Wall Street thrillerIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
368 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2026
108 people are currently reading
1318 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
January 21, 2026
Wow!!! Just wow!! This is a debut novel? I can’t believe it! This book is one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read—and I’ve read a ton.
I was up way too late finishing it because I had to know what would happen to my new family of friends. I was so worried about them, and I needed to find out who in the world was the bad guy—or bad gal!
This story follows a woman in finance on Wall Street who’s being set up to take the fall by someone in her firm. Now, to be honest, I know nothing about financial portfolios or the stock market, but that didn’t stop me from turning the pages. The suspense, mystery, and sheer thrill of what was happening—not only to Meredith and her career, but also to her precious family—kept me glued to the story.
There are quite a few characters you can suspect as the villain, but I didn’t have a clue—and I love that! This will definitely be my book club pick next year. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves suspense, thrills, and mysteries. There’s even a touch of romance, too!
I can totally see this becoming a movie.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
I was up way too late finishing it because I had to know what would happen to my new family of friends. I was so worried about them, and I needed to find out who in the world was the bad guy—or bad gal!
This story follows a woman in finance on Wall Street who’s being set up to take the fall by someone in her firm. Now, to be honest, I know nothing about financial portfolios or the stock market, but that didn’t stop me from turning the pages. The suspense, mystery, and sheer thrill of what was happening—not only to Meredith and her career, but also to her precious family—kept me glued to the story.
There are quite a few characters you can suspect as the villain, but I didn’t have a clue—and I love that! This will definitely be my book club pick next year. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves suspense, thrills, and mysteries. There’s even a touch of romance, too!
I can totally see this becoming a movie.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
December 27, 2025
#ad much love for my finished copy @kayepublicity #partner
The Lies We Trade
< @
Releases: January 20, 2026
“I close my eyes and picture my sweet girl huddled on her bed…I long to hold her close, to shield her from the pain of growing up in a world that seems intent on breaking her spirit,” (p. 48).
Okay. I loved this book so much but I was so lost wading through the financial pool - stocks, portfolios, I don’t have a clue. But Delano’s writing is magical. Seriously loved this book and will def be reading more of her work. While this is a debut I hope it’s the first of many, many more books to come.
I also got a surprise as I was picking up on keywords that alluded to the state of Maine. Yassss! Bonus! I love a book with ties to Maine.
Meredith is a financial advisor and she’s good at what she does, but the men around her make her life almost impossible. When she’s forced to cut all ties and communication with an associate below her, this kicks off the start of something that no one will be able to stop from happening. You can only push a woman so far down before she’s had enough.
But that associate, Betsey, has slipped something to Meredith. Inside is the proof she needs - even if she has no clue what it is about.
I also enjoyed how Meredith grapples with a failing marriage, being a mother, and working in a male-dominated field. Boss Girl energy here.
I loved the setting of this book. The limelight, high-stakes, life of the rich made for a compulsive read. Having short chapters made it even better.
Read if you like:
Blackmail
Betrayal
Womanhood
Standing up to bad people
Motherhood vs Workforce
Wall Street
Mem
Allergic to phone calls
Wall dweller 😂
Manhunt game
The Lies We Trade
< @
Releases: January 20, 2026
“I close my eyes and picture my sweet girl huddled on her bed…I long to hold her close, to shield her from the pain of growing up in a world that seems intent on breaking her spirit,” (p. 48).
Okay. I loved this book so much but I was so lost wading through the financial pool - stocks, portfolios, I don’t have a clue. But Delano’s writing is magical. Seriously loved this book and will def be reading more of her work. While this is a debut I hope it’s the first of many, many more books to come.
I also got a surprise as I was picking up on keywords that alluded to the state of Maine. Yassss! Bonus! I love a book with ties to Maine.
Meredith is a financial advisor and she’s good at what she does, but the men around her make her life almost impossible. When she’s forced to cut all ties and communication with an associate below her, this kicks off the start of something that no one will be able to stop from happening. You can only push a woman so far down before she’s had enough.
But that associate, Betsey, has slipped something to Meredith. Inside is the proof she needs - even if she has no clue what it is about.
I also enjoyed how Meredith grapples with a failing marriage, being a mother, and working in a male-dominated field. Boss Girl energy here.
I loved the setting of this book. The limelight, high-stakes, life of the rich made for a compulsive read. Having short chapters made it even better.
Read if you like:
Blackmail
Betrayal
Womanhood
Standing up to bad people
Motherhood vs Workforce
Wall Street
Mem
Allergic to phone calls
Wall dweller 😂
Manhunt game
June 19, 2025
I requested this ARC because it was by award-winner Kristine Delano, not because I know anything about Wall Street or the financial world. Now I know enough to know I'd never want to work there. 😆 Kristine does a good job explaining things for us who know nothing so we at least know, "oh, whatever happened here made the character scared/proud/frustrated" when we newbies couldn't have made those connections ourselves. So I was able to follow the emotional plot, which is my favorite part of books anyway, and learn a little, expanding my world. There's a light touch of faith and a struggling marriage and family that work their way to healing. You won't know who to trust and can't help but be surprised!
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the eARC so I could write an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the eARC so I could write an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 28, 2025
The Lies We Trade by Kristina Delano. Thanks to @kayepublicity for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meredith is struggling to keep work and her family life going. It is stressful. When her most trusted ally at work betrays her, she needs to begin digging to the data at work and finds secrets.
There was a lot to this one and it kind of threw my attention at times. I couldn’t get into the business stuff so much, but I really liked the plot line with Meredith’s family and the emotion behind the story. I empathized with her struggle as a working mother. There were a lot of twists and I didn’t see them coming.
“Would it help her to know her mother feels exactly the same way as her? Trapped. And this time getting out is going to take a lot more than moving aside one massive man.”
The Lies We Trade comes out 1/20.
Meredith is struggling to keep work and her family life going. It is stressful. When her most trusted ally at work betrays her, she needs to begin digging to the data at work and finds secrets.
There was a lot to this one and it kind of threw my attention at times. I couldn’t get into the business stuff so much, but I really liked the plot line with Meredith’s family and the emotion behind the story. I empathized with her struggle as a working mother. There were a lot of twists and I didn’t see them coming.
“Would it help her to know her mother feels exactly the same way as her? Trapped. And this time getting out is going to take a lot more than moving aside one massive man.”
The Lies We Trade comes out 1/20.
November 22, 2025
“Time is the valued currency of a wise life.”
This is my first foray into suspense involving the financial world and it was so fascinating. I know nothing about this world but the author explained enough for me to understand the basics and stay hooked while not losing me in the details. I have had trouble following military suspense and legal suspense because I could not comprehend the lingo or procedures. Here some of the non-financial secondary characters served to ground the reader. Meredith’s first person voice was intelligent, innovative, and driven yet tender and compassionate. I loved how her analytical mind worked and empathized with her desperate attempts at finding a work-life balance. She embodied all of the professional women who are wives and mothers; her struggles were so real and relevant.
The suspense was crazy intense and I honestly had no idea who the villain was and how the story would end. Those plot twists were quite awesome and kept the story moving at a fast pace.
Meredith’s family was far from perfect but her husband and children were lovable. Addressing forgiveness and faith added a deeper layer to the characters’ development and storyline.
A great debut novel from Kristine Delano. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale Publishers via Interview and Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
This is my first foray into suspense involving the financial world and it was so fascinating. I know nothing about this world but the author explained enough for me to understand the basics and stay hooked while not losing me in the details. I have had trouble following military suspense and legal suspense because I could not comprehend the lingo or procedures. Here some of the non-financial secondary characters served to ground the reader. Meredith’s first person voice was intelligent, innovative, and driven yet tender and compassionate. I loved how her analytical mind worked and empathized with her desperate attempts at finding a work-life balance. She embodied all of the professional women who are wives and mothers; her struggles were so real and relevant.
The suspense was crazy intense and I honestly had no idea who the villain was and how the story would end. Those plot twists were quite awesome and kept the story moving at a fast pace.
Meredith’s family was far from perfect but her husband and children were lovable. Addressing forgiveness and faith added a deeper layer to the characters’ development and storyline.
A great debut novel from Kristine Delano. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale Publishers via Interview and Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
September 7, 2025
Excellent debut. I was wondering if the story would center around Wall Street in a way that made it difficult to connect. But it was so good at weaving just enough of that world to make it really interesting.
The marriage was so authentic.
The teen daughter was beautifully written.
The whole story was exciting.
Page turning - I could not put it down. Highly recommend!
I got a copy from NetGalley and will be looking for more from Kristine Delano.
The marriage was so authentic.
The teen daughter was beautifully written.
The whole story was exciting.
Page turning - I could not put it down. Highly recommend!
I got a copy from NetGalley and will be looking for more from Kristine Delano.
February 17, 2026
loved it. tense like a thriller should be, and a heartwarming arc for the family
January 14, 2026
This debut was well written and will keep readers engaged, and up late at night trying to find out what is going on and who is behind everything.
The premise of the story is about the stock market. The author did a great job of explaining the terms she used with basic everyday examples.
Though I was pulled in and totally committed to find out the truth, there was a lot happening in the story with lota of detail and characters which made the book feel a bit too busy.
However, the main character was driven but flawed and her relationship troubles added a realistic element to the story.
The author also did a great job of giving readers a little bit of leads, but then throwing them off with some twists and turns.
This debut thriller will be a great addition to the TBR of readers who are looking for clean but engaging thriller.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
The premise of the story is about the stock market. The author did a great job of explaining the terms she used with basic everyday examples.
Though I was pulled in and totally committed to find out the truth, there was a lot happening in the story with lota of detail and characters which made the book feel a bit too busy.
However, the main character was driven but flawed and her relationship troubles added a realistic element to the story.
The author also did a great job of giving readers a little bit of leads, but then throwing them off with some twists and turns.
This debut thriller will be a great addition to the TBR of readers who are looking for clean but engaging thriller.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
February 10, 2026
This book wasn’t my cup of tea. The author was courageous to tackle the sexting issue that traps so many people into a lifestyle of sin, but that isn’t a subject I enjoy reading about. The mystery at Meredith’s job got buried in the family drama, so there was little to keep my interest.
Content: alcohol, sexting by a minor (nude pictures of a minor), towel slippage moment
Content: alcohol, sexting by a minor (nude pictures of a minor), towel slippage moment
December 31, 2025
The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano is the book I've been waiting for! I've wanted good, clean thrillers - from domestic thrillers to psychological thrillers and find them hard to come by. This domestic thriller hits all the marks for me - suspense, intrigue, and a relatable main character working against all odds to right wrongs and bring justice to life, without the profanity or questionable scenes that a lot of thrillers tend to favor.
Meredith Hansel seems to have the perfect life. She's a hit on Wall Street with her EFT fund she managers and becomes her investment firm's VIP. Until her assistant sends her information that shows her investments are compromised. Now someone goes after her family in an effort to silence her.
I love the suspense elements of this book. Readers get to piece together the mystery right along with the main character, and anyone could be the culprit. I like that the author incorporated her own Wall Street experience into this thriller. It lends creditability and intrigue to the story. The plot is well laid out to draw readers in with twists and turns that pay off in the end.
Be sure to check out this debut release in January!
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Meredith Hansel seems to have the perfect life. She's a hit on Wall Street with her EFT fund she managers and becomes her investment firm's VIP. Until her assistant sends her information that shows her investments are compromised. Now someone goes after her family in an effort to silence her.
I love the suspense elements of this book. Readers get to piece together the mystery right along with the main character, and anyone could be the culprit. I like that the author incorporated her own Wall Street experience into this thriller. It lends creditability and intrigue to the story. The plot is well laid out to draw readers in with twists and turns that pay off in the end.
Be sure to check out this debut release in January!
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 3, 2025
The Lies We Trade, by Kristine Delano, is a contemporary Christian story that is filled with mystery. This is a well written story that grabbed my attention right from the start. Meredith works at a prestigious Wall Street firm while her husband is home with the children. Strange things start happening with her daughter, at work and at home, which send her and her family away for the weekend trying to figure out who is behind it all and why.
This is an enjoy able story to read. I appreciate how the author makes such a realistic story and shows the struggles Meredith has with keep up with work and family. I appreciate how she shows the family struggles yet how they pull through it all. I enjoyed the mystery behind what was happening as well as the suspense with what was going to happen next. I found the Christian aspect of the story to be very mild with just a little mention toward the end of the story.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers. This is my honest review.
This is an enjoy able story to read. I appreciate how the author makes such a realistic story and shows the struggles Meredith has with keep up with work and family. I appreciate how she shows the family struggles yet how they pull through it all. I enjoyed the mystery behind what was happening as well as the suspense with what was going to happen next. I found the Christian aspect of the story to be very mild with just a little mention toward the end of the story.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers. This is my honest review.
November 12, 2025
I found this book a bit overwhelming in there was so much going on that I was almost exhausted by the time I finished it. I feel like the Delano set out to write a really good conspiracy/crime book, but took it maybe a few steps to far. There were so many moving parts I had to back track a couple of times to figure out who was who and why they were important. I struggled with new characters who would either get dropped in or suddenly become someone important for a totally different reason.
I normally like books with twists and turns, but this one felt like it had a few to many. Maybe it is just not a book for me, but more for someone interested in market and all the investing and terms that go with it.
I normally like books with twists and turns, but this one felt like it had a few to many. Maybe it is just not a book for me, but more for someone interested in market and all the investing and terms that go with it.
January 27, 2026
As a debut novel this came highly rated and I will probably pick up the next novel by this author. The author's note in the back gives you a brief backdrop of where the bones of the story came from. Ten discussions questions are included as well. There is plenty to like about the plot, the twists and turns along the way, and the hints that kept piling up though never giving away the finished product. The main character drove me crazy at times, and there were times I felt the action was a little bit too busy for my taste. The financial world would be foreign to some readers, and it might not take as to the discussion of Wall Street lingo (I was lost myself at times). But the themes of family, peer relationships, forgiveness, trust, deceit, teenage troubles and how to recover and stand up for yourself were displayed throughout and resonated with me as I finished the book.
February 16, 2026
I have learned I enjoy a domestic thriller. I enjoyed the high stakes of needing to make sure your family is safe and not in danger.
The biggest thing about this story that I wasn't too fond of was all of the finance jargon went right over my head and I didn't understand a word of it. However, I didn't feel like it took away from my enjoyment of the story.
I will be trying this author again sometime.
The biggest thing about this story that I wasn't too fond of was all of the finance jargon went right over my head and I didn't understand a word of it. However, I didn't feel like it took away from my enjoyment of the story.
I will be trying this author again sometime.
Read
January 22, 2026DNF @10% I just can’t fathom continuing a book where I can’t understand what is fully going on. I get the gist, but all of the Wall Street talk is just a bit much for me. Because I’m not understanding portions, it makes me not want to continue even though I think aspects of it could be intriguing.
December 5, 2025
The Lies We Trade is a stunner, a razor-sharp blend of Wall Street intrigue, family drama, and psychological suspense. It's so well written you'll find it hard to believe this is a debut novel. Kristine Delano is an author with a big future.
To be candid, suspense is not my normal genre, and I leave ETFs and such matters to my financial planner -- yet I was curious about the inner workings of Wall Street. I wanted to compare it to my 35 years of consulting in corporate America, and ended up fully drawn into this story. Characters were brought to life with exceptional clarity. The plot kept me guessing. Emotions made me read "just one more chapter" even when my eyes said Stop!
Meredith Hansel is the kind of heroine you root for, worry about, and want to shake -- all in the same chapter. You'll love her, and I suspect you'll see a part of yourself in her.
I read this novel as an ARC copy, and my opinions are honest and my own.
To be candid, suspense is not my normal genre, and I leave ETFs and such matters to my financial planner -- yet I was curious about the inner workings of Wall Street. I wanted to compare it to my 35 years of consulting in corporate America, and ended up fully drawn into this story. Characters were brought to life with exceptional clarity. The plot kept me guessing. Emotions made me read "just one more chapter" even when my eyes said Stop!
Meredith Hansel is the kind of heroine you root for, worry about, and want to shake -- all in the same chapter. You'll love her, and I suspect you'll see a part of yourself in her.
I read this novel as an ARC copy, and my opinions are honest and my own.
January 21, 2026
I tried, I really tried, but I just could not get into this story. It wasn't because the structure and dialogue weren't well-written, they were. I think it was because I was unable to relate to the main character's life on any level. I enjoy a wide variety of genres, and can usually empathize even when the characters live much different lives than I do. For whatever reason, this time, I could not. It is likely that others will be able to do so. This was just not a good match for me.
I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy and the opportunity to read The Lies We Trade from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy and the opportunity to read The Lies We Trade from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
January 24, 2026
4.5 stars
Wow! This debut novel from Kristine Delano had me riveted to the pages, my mind swirling with questions and possibilities and constantly-changing opinions about who in Meredith Hansel’s life could – and couldn’t – be trusted.
I know less than zero about Wall Street or investments or trading or portfolios, but I didn’t need to be up on my financial terms to fully immerse myself in The Lies We Trade. The author’s expertise is clear in how she sets up and executes this story, but she feeds us everything at such an accessible level that I was easily able to follow along and appreciate the basics (and often more) of what was happening in Meredith’s workplace. And even if I hadn’t understood any of the above, I could still relate to Meredith and her emotions on a human level as the walls start closing in on her career and her family. Speaking of the latter, Meredith’s marriage is already hanging on by a thread when we meet her so it didn’t take much additional stress in that area to have my chest tightening with anxiety on her behalf. Delano skillfully amps up the tension on both fronts – corporate and domestic – until everything threatens to spiral out of control, and we feel it all just as acutely as Meredith does. Because we stay in Meredith’s perspective, we don’t know anything until she does, and I loved how this storytelling style kept me guessing. I had theories… and then more theories… and totally different theories… and finally I just settled in to see where all the chips would fall and enjoyed the ride.
The characters in this story are all pretty flawed, even the ones who end up not being responsible for the crimes going on. Meredith’s husband, her daughter, her coworkers and colleagues, Meredith herself… everyone has secrets they’re guarding closely from anyone else. Even the people they’re supposed to trust the most. Maybe especially those people. As we start unraveling the deceptions and omissions, digging ever nearer to the truth (and rock bottom), the stakes grow higher and the cost grows steeper – and I grew even more drawn to the layers. Because the darker and the more desperate the situation gets for Meredith, the more clearly the subtle thread of hope comes into focus. It’s not preachy and doesn’t feel forced, and it never overpowers the thrilling nature of the suspense. In fact, it’s not even obvious… until it is. Nonetheless, it gently reminds us where true restoration and healing can be found – and why forgiveness matters.
Bottom Line: What an engrossing novel! The domestic suspense elements to The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano had me just as invested as the corporate thriller elements, and I absolutely could not put it down until I’d reached the last word. The author steadily tightens the screws on poor Meredith, eroding trust piece by piece until every interaction feels charged with possibility… and threat. Because we were confined to discovering truths only as Meredith does, I was constantly recalibrating my opinions about who was safe and who might be playing a much more dangerous game – I loved every minute of the guessing as well as the final stunning twists. The Lies We Trade is a smart, unsettling, and thoroughly gripping debut, and I can’t wait to read whatever Kristine Delano writes next!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Wow! This debut novel from Kristine Delano had me riveted to the pages, my mind swirling with questions and possibilities and constantly-changing opinions about who in Meredith Hansel’s life could – and couldn’t – be trusted.
I know less than zero about Wall Street or investments or trading or portfolios, but I didn’t need to be up on my financial terms to fully immerse myself in The Lies We Trade. The author’s expertise is clear in how she sets up and executes this story, but she feeds us everything at such an accessible level that I was easily able to follow along and appreciate the basics (and often more) of what was happening in Meredith’s workplace. And even if I hadn’t understood any of the above, I could still relate to Meredith and her emotions on a human level as the walls start closing in on her career and her family. Speaking of the latter, Meredith’s marriage is already hanging on by a thread when we meet her so it didn’t take much additional stress in that area to have my chest tightening with anxiety on her behalf. Delano skillfully amps up the tension on both fronts – corporate and domestic – until everything threatens to spiral out of control, and we feel it all just as acutely as Meredith does. Because we stay in Meredith’s perspective, we don’t know anything until she does, and I loved how this storytelling style kept me guessing. I had theories… and then more theories… and totally different theories… and finally I just settled in to see where all the chips would fall and enjoyed the ride.
The characters in this story are all pretty flawed, even the ones who end up not being responsible for the crimes going on. Meredith’s husband, her daughter, her coworkers and colleagues, Meredith herself… everyone has secrets they’re guarding closely from anyone else. Even the people they’re supposed to trust the most. Maybe especially those people. As we start unraveling the deceptions and omissions, digging ever nearer to the truth (and rock bottom), the stakes grow higher and the cost grows steeper – and I grew even more drawn to the layers. Because the darker and the more desperate the situation gets for Meredith, the more clearly the subtle thread of hope comes into focus. It’s not preachy and doesn’t feel forced, and it never overpowers the thrilling nature of the suspense. In fact, it’s not even obvious… until it is. Nonetheless, it gently reminds us where true restoration and healing can be found – and why forgiveness matters.
Bottom Line: What an engrossing novel! The domestic suspense elements to The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano had me just as invested as the corporate thriller elements, and I absolutely could not put it down until I’d reached the last word. The author steadily tightens the screws on poor Meredith, eroding trust piece by piece until every interaction feels charged with possibility… and threat. Because we were confined to discovering truths only as Meredith does, I was constantly recalibrating my opinions about who was safe and who might be playing a much more dangerous game – I loved every minute of the guessing as well as the final stunning twists. The Lies We Trade is a smart, unsettling, and thoroughly gripping debut, and I can’t wait to read whatever Kristine Delano writes next!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
March 11, 2026
Don't make the same mistake I did and ignore all the bad reviews before deciding whether or not to read this. Unless you are a finance/trading/Wall Street expert, 75% of this book will not make any sense to you. The 25% of this book that is actual "domestic family drama" (as the book is described) is vague, full of plot holes and completely unsatisfying. This book almost reads more like a sequel or part of a series, as so much of the characters' and situations' back stories were vaguely implied rather than explained to us.
Just....not a good story and a very dull read.
Just....not a good story and a very dull read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Amazing! The Lies We Trade just blew me away! I know nothing about the ins and outs of Wall Street or finance, but Delano does; she doesn’t dumb the info down, but she gives the reader enough to keep you engaged. I couldn’t put this down, and that says something for a book whose main character is a portfolio manager on Wall Street! I picked it up at 10 pm…something I always tell myself not to do…read until past midnight and finished it the following day. The characters in this book are so real! Delano brings them to life in the pages of this book. She keeps you guessing about who to trust, and I really had the wrong idea about a few characters. That just made this all the more thrilling! Not only does Meredith have issues at work, she’s got them at home too. Both of these situations add to the suspense and add another layer of realism to the plot. I highly recommend this book to those of you who love clean women’s suspense novels! I can’t wait to read another book from Delano!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
March 7, 2026
I think there was just too much going on. The Wall Street plot line was really hard to follow. I know I didn’t need to fully understand it but it just confused me to the point I lost interest. It started to get better towards the end but I ended up at that same bored point
February 23, 2026
Beefing with Betsy and she saved your ass.
Also communicate your workload and stress with your husband dayum
Also communicate your workload and stress with your husband dayum
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2026
I enjoyed the book a lot when I first started it and was curious to see where it was going. Then I felt the focus and the depth with the stocks, etc were too much. I understand that was a big part of the story but it was too much for a book that was supposed to be a thriller IMO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 27, 2025DNF at 38% because it felt like I'd been reading forever, but I still had 60% of the book left. All the Walls street jargon and exposition explaining how the industry works, ETFs, etc. is just pedantic and tiresome.
January 24, 2026
The Lies We Trade is a thriller set in and around Wall Street, which is a new-to-me fiction setting.
Just as Meredith is celebrating the successful launch of her new exchange-traded funds (ETFs), she is also signing a restraining order against her colleague, Betsey. What wasn’t clear to me (and possibly to Meredith) is why Betsey has been ousted from the firm.
I found the beginning a little confusing.
It wasn’t immediately obvious what was happening–at least, not to me, someone who has close to zero knowledge of stocks, shares, options, securities, or trading. I’d never even heard of exchange-traded funds, and that probably meant I missed some of the context (like the significance of ringing the bell on the trading floor in the opening scene).
It’s obvious Kristine Delano has deep insider knowledge of Wall Street, and the business of trading stock and securities. She did her best to find the balance between making the technical aspects intelligible to the lay reader without losing the tension, and to intertwine Meredith’s work and personal lives.
I did find the personal side of the story easier to read and more interesting, probably because having problems with teenage daughters is more relatable.
The Lies We Trade is written in first person present tense point of view.
I’m usually a fan of first person, although it’s more common in genres such as romance or rom-com. I did find the combination of first person, present tense difficult at first, although present tense did give the story a more edgy feel than the more traditional past tense.
Despite the somewhat confusing beginning, I did enjoy The Lies We Trade once I got into the story. The writing was good and the author certainly knows the ins and outs of Wall Street and is able to use that knowledge to craft a compelling thriller.
Recommended for readers looking for something different from a debut author.
Thanks to Tyndale Fiction and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Just as Meredith is celebrating the successful launch of her new exchange-traded funds (ETFs), she is also signing a restraining order against her colleague, Betsey. What wasn’t clear to me (and possibly to Meredith) is why Betsey has been ousted from the firm.
I found the beginning a little confusing.
It wasn’t immediately obvious what was happening–at least, not to me, someone who has close to zero knowledge of stocks, shares, options, securities, or trading. I’d never even heard of exchange-traded funds, and that probably meant I missed some of the context (like the significance of ringing the bell on the trading floor in the opening scene).
It’s obvious Kristine Delano has deep insider knowledge of Wall Street, and the business of trading stock and securities. She did her best to find the balance between making the technical aspects intelligible to the lay reader without losing the tension, and to intertwine Meredith’s work and personal lives.
I did find the personal side of the story easier to read and more interesting, probably because having problems with teenage daughters is more relatable.
The Lies We Trade is written in first person present tense point of view.
I’m usually a fan of first person, although it’s more common in genres such as romance or rom-com. I did find the combination of first person, present tense difficult at first, although present tense did give the story a more edgy feel than the more traditional past tense.
Despite the somewhat confusing beginning, I did enjoy The Lies We Trade once I got into the story. The writing was good and the author certainly knows the ins and outs of Wall Street and is able to use that knowledge to craft a compelling thriller.
Recommended for readers looking for something different from a debut author.
Thanks to Tyndale Fiction and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
October 16, 2025
Meredith Hansel’s life is in disarray. As a Wall Street portfolio manager, she is used to an organised environment but suddenly things are spiralling out of control. Meredith is married with a teenage daughter, but sadly both relationships are falling apart, her house has been ransacked, and she is living in fear. Everything is failing apart around her, and she is failing to understand what is happening around her.
Her best friend is Betsy, and she has just lost her job, and Meredith is no longer certain of their friendship. Betsy is behaving strangely, and Meredith has no idea why as the behaviour is so shocking she is at a loss.
The author breathes life into these characters who feel real. They are flawed, layered and emotionally resonant, you find yourself feeling what they are as you turn the pages. To me it is the characterisation that makes this compelling, bold, evocative and fresh. For a first novel this reads like the work of a seasoned storyteller. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
Her best friend is Betsy, and she has just lost her job, and Meredith is no longer certain of their friendship. Betsy is behaving strangely, and Meredith has no idea why as the behaviour is so shocking she is at a loss.
The author breathes life into these characters who feel real. They are flawed, layered and emotionally resonant, you find yourself feeling what they are as you turn the pages. To me it is the characterisation that makes this compelling, bold, evocative and fresh. For a first novel this reads like the work of a seasoned storyteller. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
January 30, 2026
Absolutely not my kind of book. All the action happens through conversations and it is SLOW moving. Predictable and not interesting.
August 8, 2025
I'll be honest, I know absolutely nothing about Wall Street or the finance world... but the story very quickly draws readers into that world, regardless of prior knowledge. And what a world it is--full of it's own share of drama and suspense. But it's not just her workplace that is bringing drama into Meredith's life! Struggles in her marriage and with her teenage daughter also kept me at the very edge of my seat as well. This was a complex story with a lot going on, that's for certain... while I admit it wasn't quite what I was expecting (and as a mom, there were some moments that I found really difficult to read), it was an intriguing story with twists I did not see coming. If you enjoy Christian domestic suspense and family drama, this is one worth checking out.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Kristine Delano’s debut novel offers a sophisticated, suspenseful look into the high-stakes world of finance. The novel explores how women navigating workplace politics can become entangled in the relentless pursuit of success, sometimes at any cost. Delano skillfully examines the complexities of trust, showing how good intentions can spiral into darker consequences. The protagonist’s faith in her colleagues leads her to make risky decisions that ultimately threaten her career and personal life, adding depth and tension to the story.
THE STORY: Meredith Hansel is at the pinnacle of her career as a celebrated portfolio manager at a renowned Wall Street firm, lauded for her innovative investment strategies. Yet, just as she steps into the national spotlight, her carefully balanced world threatens to unravel. At home, her marriage teeters on the edge of collapse, and her once-dutiful teenage daughter begins acting out under mysterious, mounting pressures that Meredith desperately tries to understand. The serenity of her personal life shatters further when their home is defaced with unsettling graffiti—a chilling sign that her troubles are more than just professional.
The true stakes become clear when Meredith receives a thumb drive and a cryptic note from a former employee: the drive contains incriminatory data that implicates not only Meredith but also powerful government officials in a massive financial conspiracy. If exposed, the secret could not only destroy Meredith’s reputation but also upend her entire family’s future—and even their lives. As she races to decipher the evidence, Meredith is forced into a high-stakes game that could make her either a scapegoat or a whistleblower.
5-STARS BECAUSE: Delano has written a unique, purposeful story of why women in positions of power need camaraderie, yes, but having faith in something more powerful than leaders, infrastructure, justice, or knowledge. Faith in God. Understanding rather than avoidance. Bravery rather than escaping because things don’t go our way. Looking forward to more novels by this new author!
I received an ARC from Tyndale for my honest review.
THE STORY: Meredith Hansel is at the pinnacle of her career as a celebrated portfolio manager at a renowned Wall Street firm, lauded for her innovative investment strategies. Yet, just as she steps into the national spotlight, her carefully balanced world threatens to unravel. At home, her marriage teeters on the edge of collapse, and her once-dutiful teenage daughter begins acting out under mysterious, mounting pressures that Meredith desperately tries to understand. The serenity of her personal life shatters further when their home is defaced with unsettling graffiti—a chilling sign that her troubles are more than just professional.
The true stakes become clear when Meredith receives a thumb drive and a cryptic note from a former employee: the drive contains incriminatory data that implicates not only Meredith but also powerful government officials in a massive financial conspiracy. If exposed, the secret could not only destroy Meredith’s reputation but also upend her entire family’s future—and even their lives. As she races to decipher the evidence, Meredith is forced into a high-stakes game that could make her either a scapegoat or a whistleblower.
5-STARS BECAUSE: Delano has written a unique, purposeful story of why women in positions of power need camaraderie, yes, but having faith in something more powerful than leaders, infrastructure, justice, or knowledge. Faith in God. Understanding rather than avoidance. Bravery rather than escaping because things don’t go our way. Looking forward to more novels by this new author!
I received an ARC from Tyndale for my honest review.
December 23, 2025
4.5 stars
"It's starting to feel like everyone knows something they shouldn't."
When Wall Street portfolio manager Meredith Hansel is convinced by others in her financial firm to sign a restraining order against her former sales manager, numerous confounding circumstances begin to circle like hawks. It's not as if Meredith's life is picture perfect to begin with, she and her husband have been growing apart while her two children have spent their time growing up, or maybe it's just that Meredith is working way too many hours to feel a part of her family any more.
What begins as carefully constructed innuendos rapidly changes into an all out assault on everything and everyone that Meredith holds dear, secrets that she has kept for reasons of her own are being used as leverage to get Meredith's undivided attention and ultimate cooperation. Unfortunately for her, the truth and lies are scheduled to converge in a matter of days, holding Meredith hostage in her own life if she cannot find a way to re-establish her most stable alliance, her husband.
For readers with more than a rudimentary knowledge of investment markets, the financial scheme in this story will most likely prove both fascinating and perhaps even brilliant. Surprisingly, my simple base line understanding didn't distract me at all from the core elements of this story. For whether a hard working mother invests her time on Wall Street or Main Street, many of the stress points are exactly the same. Communicating with a spouse about deep matters of the heart is never easy, especially when the risk factors could be heart breaking. And who has has a magic wand when it comes to raising teen-agers? No one.
An astonishing array of legal suspense, family drama, and women's fiction, creating a palpable tension from beginning to end, with bonus points for how well it landed!
"It's hard to trust, but that's the point, we need to learn. And we are. We're finding that trusting in a God who knows us and created us is a whole lot easier than in the people who have hurt us."
"It's starting to feel like everyone knows something they shouldn't."
When Wall Street portfolio manager Meredith Hansel is convinced by others in her financial firm to sign a restraining order against her former sales manager, numerous confounding circumstances begin to circle like hawks. It's not as if Meredith's life is picture perfect to begin with, she and her husband have been growing apart while her two children have spent their time growing up, or maybe it's just that Meredith is working way too many hours to feel a part of her family any more.
What begins as carefully constructed innuendos rapidly changes into an all out assault on everything and everyone that Meredith holds dear, secrets that she has kept for reasons of her own are being used as leverage to get Meredith's undivided attention and ultimate cooperation. Unfortunately for her, the truth and lies are scheduled to converge in a matter of days, holding Meredith hostage in her own life if she cannot find a way to re-establish her most stable alliance, her husband.
For readers with more than a rudimentary knowledge of investment markets, the financial scheme in this story will most likely prove both fascinating and perhaps even brilliant. Surprisingly, my simple base line understanding didn't distract me at all from the core elements of this story. For whether a hard working mother invests her time on Wall Street or Main Street, many of the stress points are exactly the same. Communicating with a spouse about deep matters of the heart is never easy, especially when the risk factors could be heart breaking. And who has has a magic wand when it comes to raising teen-agers? No one.
An astonishing array of legal suspense, family drama, and women's fiction, creating a palpable tension from beginning to end, with bonus points for how well it landed!
"It's hard to trust, but that's the point, we need to learn. And we are. We're finding that trusting in a God who knows us and created us is a whole lot easier than in the people who have hurt us."
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