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The Price of Truth

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“…exceptionally well-written and maintained my interest throughout. The conclusion was perfectly fitting, given all that had transpired, and it caught me completely off guard."
--Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

Seventeen-year-old Karis Russo is no stranger to pain. Still reeling from her father’s death, she’s weighted down by grief she can’t seem to outrun. But nothing prepares her for the night that upends her life once again.

After attending the grand opening of The Aragon Luxury Resort and Spa, Karis wakes up bloody and bruised with no memory of what happened. Determined to find the truth, she embarks on a relentless quest for answers.

Her investigation takes a surprising turn when she learns Mason Whitman, practically Duncan High “royalty”, has harbored a crush on her for years. His charm and their undeniable chemistry throw her into a tailspin. Caught between piecing together the night she lost and embracing the possibility of love she never saw coming, Karis convinces herself she can juggle both worlds.

But the deeper she digs into the mystery of that fateful night, the darker the truth becomes. As shocking betrayals surface and long-buried secrets claw their way to the light, Karis realizes the price of truth may cost more than she’s willing to pay.

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2025

23 people are currently reading
2516 people want to read

About the author

Michele Clarizio

1 book12 followers

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5 stars
22 (44%)
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23 (46%)
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1 (2%)
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3 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Harsh Tyagi.
929 reviews21 followers
June 23, 2025
Karis Russo is a teenager haunted by the grief of losing her father. And when she wakes up bloody and with no memory after a glamorous evening at The Aragon Resort, her world begins to unravel in frightening ways. Determined to uncover what happened, Karis dives into a personal investigation, only to find that the answers might be more painful than the questions. Along the way, Mason Whitman, the school's golden boy, steps into her life in unexpected ways. As feelings grow and secrets surface, Karis is forced to face what truth really costs.

This story caught me by surprise. Michele Clarizio doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight that grief brings, and she handles Karis's pain with such quiet honesty. The way the mystery slowly tightens around Karis made it hard to stop turning the pages. The suspense is sharp and well done. The author writes with care. The story feels like it belongs to someone real, like Karis could be someone we once knew. The plot is brilliant as well as the execution. I'm head over heels for this book.
1 review2 followers
July 21, 2025
WOW! This book was wonderfully crafted, with every detail and revelation woven together in a way that felt both masterful and deeply human. The pacing, the depth of the characters, the twists and emotional weight of each chapter as Karis Russo slowly finds her truth had me hooked from start to finish. Truthfully, this has been one of my favorite books I have ever been able to read and I could not recommend this book more. Michele Clarizio has a unique writing style that will lure you in to feel as though you are right there with the characters throughout the entire story. I cannot wait for the next book to be released!
Profile Image for Air.
533 reviews27 followers
June 18, 2025
This was a fun mystery to unravel as you read! The authors writing does the best job of forcing you right into the center of the plot. You feel like you’re there with the characters. I love the dark twists and turns as we get closer and closer to discovering the truth! I definitely recommend this one for the summer too.

Thank you to ireadbooktours!
Profile Image for Siobhán♡.
234 reviews11 followers
July 18, 2025
3.75🌟

**TW**
This book contains themes of violence, substance ab*se, m*rder, attempted r*pe, kidnapping, d£ath of a parent, mental illness, mental health, trauma, Etc.
If at all a sensitive reader, this book may not be suited for you.

Starting off with criticism, I do feel as though this book could have went through another round of edits, it was very choppy in areas and there were many half-finished sentences that just didn’t make sense. The character of Speranza, I feel, also needed to be a bit more fleshed out as I felt she was only vaguely remembered to be included every now and again leading me to feel as though her character could have either been easily removed from the story or she could have been further fleshed out and her existence could be made to be read more smoothly.

Besides the above criticism I did enjoy the read and I did enjoy the story Clarizio unfolded through the character of Karis Russo. All it took was one night of memory loss and a stubbornness aimed at reclaiming the lost memories to unfurl a story full of pain, trauma, crime and so much more. The build up to the reveal was well done; I went in feeling secure, feeling as though I had an idea of what went down on that night yet any ideas I initially had were either dismissed or twisted in ways I did not see coming.
The elements of friendship and of love kept this story alive. Karis’s friends are loyal, caring and each have their own stand-out personality to which I grew quite fond of.
The character of Mason did, admittedly, fall a little flat on me. He gave me the impression that he was just some whiny kid that wouldn’t truly listen to anything he didn’t want to. Whether this was intentional or not is unclear to me.

The ending itself is quite open, leading me to believe a sequel is in the works because of so many unanswered questions. Karis may believe she is not the strong Russo her family name allows her to be yet I don’t believe she realises her actions only prove her strength. Karis’s character development throughout this novel was very believable and I do praise Clarizio for the way in which the trauma Karis experienced was dealt with. Her own experience felt raw, her emotions pouring out through Clarizio’s writings and I found myself feeling for her.

All that being said, I really did enjoy the story and I applaud Clarizio’s way of writing Karis and her friends. The mystery element is prominent throughout this book and the title of the book itself is very fitting! The price of truth may not always be the price you were expecting!
Profile Image for Val.
617 reviews23 followers
June 25, 2025
from the first page, the price of truth gripped me like a fever dream; a haze of missing memories, broken trust, and the weight of unspoken trauma. karis russo isn’t just a protagonist; she’s a girl clawing her way through grief, through fear, through the wreckage of a night she can’t remember and a world that keeps asking her to pretend it didn’t matter.

this book is dark in all the right ways—not gratuitous, but raw. clarizio doesn’t flinch from pain. she writes it into every silence, every lie, every sharp corner of karis’ life. and then she introduces mason whitman. oh, mason. the boy who’s too much and not enough. their chemistry isn’t soft. it’s a collision, one that made me ache.

the pacing is tight, the suspense electric, and the emotional unraveling is done with a surgeon’s hand. there are trigger points; loss, trauma, a blurred night; but it never feels performative. it feels honest. and that’s what broke me the most.

📌 final thoughts:
a debut that doesn't hold back. if you’re looking for something that reads like a scar turned story something that asks what survival really costs, you’ll find it here.
Profile Image for Kiki.
51 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2025
This book felt like a quiet storm. It started soft, but the emotions crept in slowly and hit hard. The writing was raw in a way that didn’t feel forced, just honest. I appreciate the way it explored grief, healing, and memories. It didn’t try to glamorize healing or suffering, and that’s what made it feel real.
I also loved how the romance wasn’t rushed or overpowering. It was gentle and exactly what the story needed. If you're someone who connects with emotional depth, messy healing, and subtle strength, this book might catch you off guard in the best way. It’s the kind of story that lingers quietly, but deeply.
18 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2025
Actually 2 1/2 stars. I sure wish I'd read the Amazon reviews first. This book has such good ratings that sucked me in to reading it. If I'd known this was a young adult book i don't know that I'd have read it. I really didn't like it much. The main character wasn't too bright. Hated the fairy/guardian angel nonsense. Karis fell for anything & everything that people told her. Switched sides as to good guy/bad guy 20 times. Constantly feeling guilty about stuff she didn't control, at all. Couldn't figure out the twin situation at all even though it was SO obvious. The ending pretty much stunk too.

Overall, not a very good book at all. Definitely not 4.6.
1 review1 follower
July 4, 2025
Great debut YA novel that mixes romance, thriller, and mystery. Focused on Karis Russo, a 17 year old high school student who is trying to piece together her memories after what was supposed to be a special event, it becomes a traumatic night that she has no memory of. After waking up bloody and battered she pursues every lead to find out what happened to her. This is a great read and definitely sets up a series with an engaging and courageous feminine lead character.
Profile Image for Virginia Winfield.
2,915 reviews14 followers
June 26, 2025
I liked this young adult mystery. I liked that there were a lot of twists and turns as Karis tries to figure out what happened to her at a gala. I liked Karis but I got tired of some of her teenage drama. I enjoyed most of the friends of Karis, especially Troy. I really liked the mystery. I received a copy of the book and gave a honest opinion of the book.
1 review2 followers
September 10, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a perfect summer read while lounging outdoors. The characters were interesting and well established. I was engaged and wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen.
1 review1 follower
June 28, 2025
Great read! Twists and turns had me engaged throughout the entire journey!
Profile Image for Kat Mullen.
167 reviews31 followers
Read
July 6, 2025
Michele Clarizio weaves together the mystery and romance sides of this story fantastically. She doesn’t shy away from emotional scenes, and the mystery keeps you turning the page because you need to know what happened and feel like you're right there with Karis.

Thank you ireadbooktours for the copy!
Profile Image for quillsandpages.
240 reviews10 followers
July 12, 2025
✨ Plot twist level: jaw on floor. ✨
When a book leaves you reeling, spiraling, and secretly wondering if you’d survive even one chapter in Karis Russo’s life 👀📖💔
This is your book if you are into mystery, grief, romance, and truth that bites back. 🖤

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Profile Image for bubbleswrapherbooks.
65 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2025
This story hit hard. Karis’s pain felt so real, and her strength in seeking the truth—no matter the cost—kept me turning the pages late into the night. Michele Clarizio writes with heart and depth, and The Price of Truth is equal parts emotional, mysterious, and empowering. A beautiful reminder that even in the darkest moments, truth and healing are worth fighting for. ★★★★★
4 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2025
Suspenseful, complex and well written. Very enjoyable and easy to read.
Profile Image for Country Mama.
1,432 reviews64 followers
June 26, 2025
The Price of Truth by Michele Clarzio is a young adult book about a 17 year old girl named Karis. Karis recently lost her father and she also attended an event a few years ago where something horrific happened to her. Which obviously she wants to find out what happened and who was involved. Fast forward to Karis's senior year in high school and Karis has found that she has a crush from one of the most popular boys in school named Mason. I loved how sweet Mason and Karis's relationship was in this book. They were adorable together. I love how the author wrote these characters and about their young love relationship, it was very relatable if you have ever been in love.
The end of this book reveals all kinds of secrets from the night that Kiras can not remember and also what happens to one of her best friends. WOW. We read bout Mason and also what happens to their relationship. The writing in this book is amazing and the author writes a great and fast paced engaging story. The plot was well written for a YA book and I am thrilled to say that I would love to read another
book by this author in the future and I highly recommend this book to fans of YA reads!
Profile Image for Nessa’s Book Reviews.
1,420 reviews72 followers
June 25, 2025
Picture this: You’re 17, grieving your dad, and trying to survive high school. Then you wake up after a glamorous resort party bruised, bloodied, and blank—like, memory-wiped kind of blank. What now?

That’s the gut-punch opener to The Price of Truth, a YA thriller that blends raw emotional depth with a page-turning mystery, a hint of slow-burn romance, and the kind of moral crossroads that makes you gulp while flipping the next page anyway.

Karis Russo is already weighed down by grief when another tragedy barrels into her life: after attending a glamorous opening night at the ritzy Aragon Resort, she wakes up bruised, confused, and missing all memories of what happened. Clearly… something did. Something bad.

But no one seems to have answers, at least not the kind Karis can trust. So she does what any self-respecting, truth-obsessed teen would do: she investigates. Alone.

Mason has Golden Boy energy. Popular, handsome, unexpected soft spot for the “invisible” girl who’s suddenly at the centre of a mystery. I was so here for their chemistry, especially the way their connection unfolded slowly, with Karis unsure whether she could even afford the luxury of love while digging for the truth.

The romance felt like a warm thread running through a cold storm, never overpowering, but always quietly present. (Also: Mason has been harbouring a secret crush for years, which gives him major 'gentle golden retriever with secrets' energy.)

The Price of Truth is a sharp, emotionally charged mystery with a bold heroine and a love story that never overshadows the grit. It’s about trauma, trust, and that terrifying moment where uncovering the truth feels more dangerous than living in the dark.

If you like your YA thrillers with brains, heart, and a few bruises, this one’s worth it.
Profile Image for Anjali Sharma.
961 reviews59 followers
July 9, 2025
The Price of Truth is a gripping YA mystery that explores trauma, memory loss, and the relentless pursuit of truth. It follows 17-year-old Karis Russo, who is already grieving the death of her father when her world is shaken once again.

After attending a glamorous resort opening, she wakes up battered and bruised with no memory of the night. What begins as a search for answers quickly unravels into a deep web of secrets, lies, and unexpected connections.

The premise itself had me hooked. I love stories where a character is forced to confront both the truth and themselves, and Karis's journey had the perfect balance of suspense, emotion, and teen angst.

The writing is sharp and immersive, and the way the mystery unfolded kept me turning pages late into the night.

I really enjoyed how the romance was woven in. Mason Whitman brought a softness to Karis's otherwise chaotic world. Their chemistry felt natural, and it didn’t take away from the intensity of the plot. If anything, it added another layer of vulnerability and hope to her character arc.

The emotional weight Karis carries, paired with her determination to find out what really happened, made her someone I rooted for throughout.

The twists were genuinely surprising, and the ending left me stunned. This is one of those books where you think you have it figured out but then it completely shifts and makes you question everything.

If you enjoy stories with strong female leads, hidden truths, and just the right dose of romance and emotional depth, The Price of Truth is one I’d definitely recommend. It’s raw, suspenseful, and stays with you even after the last page.
Profile Image for Prachi.
383 reviews11 followers
June 19, 2025
*"The Price of Truth" Book Review 📚*

*A Gripping Mystery Romance with a Dash of Suspense 🌟*

Michele Clarizio's debut novel, "The Price of Truth", is a thrilling ride that masterfully blends mystery, romance, and suspense. Karis Russo, the protagonist, is a complex and relatable character whose journey will keep you hooked from start to finish.

*Key Strengths:*

- Engaging mystery that keeps readers guessing
- Well-developed characters with depth and complexity
- Sizzling romance that adds an extra layer of tension
- Thought-provoking themes that explore the cost of truth and the power of secrets
- A relatable protagonist navigating grief and trauma

*What Sets it Apart:*

- A unique blend of mystery, romance, and suspense that will appeal to a wide range of readers
- A strong and determined female protagonist who drives the story forward
- A cast of complex and intriguing characters that add depth to the story

*Perfect for Fans of:*

- "Pretty Little Liars" and "Riverdale" fans will love the mystery and suspense
- Romance readers will enjoy the slow-burn romance and chemistry between Karis and Mason
- Anyone looking for a thrilling story with complex characters and plot twists

*Overall:*

"The Price of Truth" is a captivating mystery romance that will appeal to fans of the genre. With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and sizzling romance, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling story. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Sachin Karnik.
Author 2 books6 followers
June 20, 2025
The Price of Truth by Michele Clarizio — A Gripping Journey Through Grief, Secrets & Resilience🔗

From the first page, The Price of Truth hooks you like a riptide of emotion and suspense.

Michele Clarizio’s debut novel is an explosive blend of psychological intrigue and heart-wrenching grief, centered around seventeen-year-old Karis Russo, whose world is upended not once, but twice. First, by her father’s death, and again by a night shrouded in trauma and silence at a high-end coastal resort. With no memory of what happened, Karis plunges into a search for truth that unravels more than just lost hours—it cracks open lies, friendships, and her very identity.

The novel is rich in tension and layered with secrets that unspool at just the right pace. Clarizio’s writing delivers a haunting atmosphere and emotional authenticity, making you feel every drop of Karis’s confusion, fear, and defiance.

What sets this book apart is its unflinching portrayal of trauma’s aftermath—wrapped in a mystery, yes, but rooted deeply in healing. Add in a slow-burn romance, flawed characters, and a page-turner pace, and you’ve got a YA thriller that’s as moving as it is riveting.

If you love novels that explore the gray lines between truth and survival, The Price of Truth needs to be on your shelf.
6,155 reviews
July 1, 2025
I find that The Price of Truth is a fabulous debut for upcoming author, Michele Clarizio. It was easy for me to be quickly hooked while being hard for me to put down. It was full of unpredictable twists and turns. It was more thrilling than a roller coaster. From the very first page, I knew I wanted to keep reading to find out more about Karis and seeing how it would all end for her. She had been thrown into some much trauma and chaos at such a young age. I admired her bravery, courage, and determination as she continued to fight on for her life. I felt like I was right there with her as she tried to solve the mystery. It was a bonus to see the chemistry between her and Mason. They made a great team together. I thought this was a great, suspense filled novel.

The Price of Truth will be getting five plus stars from me. I would give it more if I could. I believe readers and fans of thriller and mystery fiction, will not want to miss out on reading this one. Michele Clarizio has earned herself a new fan here and I hope to get more releases from her in my hands in the near future.


I received a paperback copy of Michele Clarizio's The Price of Truth from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
1 review1 follower
July 3, 2025
The Price of Truth by Michele Clarizio is a fantastically written book. From the first few pages I was already hooked and could not stop reading. This is shocking coming from me too as it typically takes me months to finish books because I am not a huge reader, but the Price of Truth changed that for me. I was reading this book daily and could not wait to find out what was next.

The story that Michele has created is dense with interesting plot points and events that will keep you guessing until the very end. Not only is the story interesting and fun, but also a very unique story that I have not seen in many other novels. That is one of the aspects that keeps this book so engaging, it is fun to wonder what will happen next because you really have no idea since its so unique.

Michele does a great job at making the characters interesting, multi dimensional, and also very relatable. Especially Karis. The relationships that develop between the characters was smooth and organic, and made it feel all the more immersive when reading.

For her debut book, Michele has shown that she has natural talent when it comes to writing. I cannot recommend this book enough to someone who is interested in a YA mystery thriller/romance novel.
Profile Image for Sarcastically Yours Jen.
41 reviews7 followers
July 16, 2025
The Price of Truth is about Karis Russo and her friends as they finish off their last year in high school. One night they went to the grand opening of The Aragon Luxury Resort and Spa to party. The next morning she woke up beaten & bruised. As she finished high school, she slowly tried to piece together what happened with her therapist while dealing with the ups & downs of her feelings at not being able to remember the details of that dreadful night. She finds out one of the popular cute boys in school has a crush on her, and focusing her energy on him and other things slowly allows her to begin healing.

At the end of the book, this poor young lady finally starts to recall details and the truth about what happened to her. For someone like myself who has PTSD from some horrible experience, I know how sometimes you do not want to remember details, especially when it may have been people you were supposed to have been able to trust. This was a good book. It shows just how resilient & amazing we can be even after experiencing traumatic experiences.*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.
Profile Image for Keila (speedreadstagram).
2,155 reviews266 followers
June 19, 2025
I was instantly pulled into Karis Russo’s world—her grief, her determination, and her fierce drive to make sense of the trauma that shattered her night. I felt her confusion and vulnerability as she navigated the terrifying unknown of a night lost to memory. The emotional weight she carried was deeply affecting, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

I appreciated how the story didn’t shy away from the messiness of healing. I related to the tension Karis felt between holding on to control and letting herself trust someone like Mason. I was surprised by how much I cared about their slow-burning connection, especially with so many secrets threatening to derail them.

I couldn’t stop reading as Karis peeled back each layer of mystery—the suspense had me guessing right up until the final reveal. I was left questioning how well we ever really know the people around us and what we’re willing to risk in pursuit of the truth.
1 review1 follower
July 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this book The Price of Truth and think it appeals to many readers! Almost immediately, I felt a connection with the main character, Karis Russo, and found myself drawn into her inner turmoil and search for peace. The author does a great job with character development throughout--you will fall in love with some, despise others and you will likely wish you had a relationship like Karis and her mom. There is a good balance in the book of Karis searching for answers to 'what happened to her' on one mysterious night and her desire to simply be a teenage girl--spending time with her friends, playing for the high school soccer team and falling for the hottest guy who just happens to be loving, kind and rich. This is the quintessential escape read for your summer vacation.
Profile Image for Kendra Neal.
1,783 reviews47 followers
June 19, 2025
WOW, The Price of Truth by Michele Clarizio, is an intriguing and wonderfully written storyline. I was drawn into the book from the beginning and it kept getting more mysterious and enlightening as I continued to read. The author has a very distinct writing style that really brings the story to life and has the reader intensely wondering what comes next in the story. The characters in the book have struggles and a past that they would not want to go through again, and the book gets to the heart of the story really quickly. The book covers some sensitive topics, but the author writes them into the book with care. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Young Adult Mystery and Romance. GREAT BOOK!
872 reviews27 followers
July 8, 2025
This is the perfect book for those who love books with emotional depth, who enjoy coming-of-age stories, and for those who appreciate authentic character development.
The book is filled with guilt - as Karis struggles with the impact of her past decisions. The book is filled with friendship - loyalty, support, emotional bonds.
The book is filled with self-discovery - as Karis grows, learns to understand her feelings, confronts her fears, embraces her identity.
The book is filled with trauma that influences all interactions and personal struggles.
And then, there is love. And courage. And hope.
Profile Image for pawsreadrepeat.
617 reviews31 followers
July 23, 2025
📚✨ Book Review: The Price of Truth by Michele Clarizio ✨📚
#Gifted #iReadsBookTours #ThePriceOfTruth #BookTourStop

I’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to Michele Clarizio and iReads Book Tours for my autographed, gifted copy of The Price of Truth and for including me on this incredible book tour! 💌📖

Seventeen-year-old Karis Russo has already known more pain than most. Still mourning the death of her father, she's trying to hold herself together - until the night of The Aragon Resort’s grand opening shatters everything again. Karis wakes up bruised, bloody, and with no memory of what happened.

This book is an intense, emotional, and gripping journey as Karis digs for the truth. Her investigation leads her to unexpected places (including the heart of Mason Whitman), one of Duncan High’s most popular students. Mason has secretly admired Karis for years, and their chemistry is unquestionable. With secrets unraveling and betrayals surfacing, Karis finds herself torn between love and the dangerous truth she’s determined to uncover.

Michele Clarizio has crafted a powerful YA mystery with real emotional depth. Karis is a fierce and vulnerable heroine who refuses to back down - even when the truth becomes more terrifying than she ever imagined. The way the author expertly balances romance, suspense, and emotional healing makes this story truly compelling.

This book asks hard questions about memory, trauma, and justice serving as a reminder to us that sometimes, the truth demands everything.

🎁 GIVEAWAY ALERT!
Enter for a chance to win:
📖 An autographed copy of The Price of Truth
👼 A beautiful ceramic guardian angel
💳 A $25 Amazon gift card
(Link to enter is in my bio!)

💬 Question of the Day:
Would you risk your heart and your safety to uncover the truth?

#ThePriceOfTruth #MicheleClarizio #BookReview #iReadsBookTours #YAMystery #BookGiveaway #SuspenseReads #BookstagramTour #GriefAndHealing
Profile Image for Leanne.
2,157 reviews43 followers
June 17, 2025
The Price of Truth immediately drew me into its complex and challenging mystery. The author has written the characters so genuinely that you can appreciate them and what they are facing. It had me blown away with the story which developed more as the mystery was revealed and I felt involved in solving every step. The plot was one that I enjoyed reading and I got more and more anticipation as I grew to like the characters. I am now thinking about what might happen in the next book by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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