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Lies Between Us
The New York Times bestselling author of The Counselors delivers a razor-sharp murder-mystery set during the summer when a local teen's suspicious death exposes the devastating secrets three sisters keep.
Do you ever really know the people you love?
For the Gold sisters and Silver brothers, life has been idyllic, growing up in side-by-side waterfront mansions in a town where doors are never locked and the police do little more than issue speeding tickets. The Golds and Silvers have known each other their entire lives, as neighbors, as friends, as family.
But one carefree summer takes a dark turn when a beach party ends in tragedy and their perfect world cracks wide open. Suddenly, the bonds that tie these families together are strained by suspicion and fear. Painful secrets surface, revealing the fragile truths they've all been hiding.
Lucy, the oldest Gold girl, harbors a crushing secret from her boyfriend, one of the Silver boys. Millie, the middle sister, quietly yearns for the one person she can't have. And the youngest, Frankie, uncovers something that could blow their island apart.
From New York Times bestselling author Jessica Goodman, comes a gripping novel about the lies friends tell, the façade siblings build, and how one summer tests—and breaks—the bonds of family.
Do you ever really know the people you love?
For the Gold sisters and Silver brothers, life has been idyllic, growing up in side-by-side waterfront mansions in a town where doors are never locked and the police do little more than issue speeding tickets. The Golds and Silvers have known each other their entire lives, as neighbors, as friends, as family.
But one carefree summer takes a dark turn when a beach party ends in tragedy and their perfect world cracks wide open. Suddenly, the bonds that tie these families together are strained by suspicion and fear. Painful secrets surface, revealing the fragile truths they've all been hiding.
Lucy, the oldest Gold girl, harbors a crushing secret from her boyfriend, one of the Silver boys. Millie, the middle sister, quietly yearns for the one person she can't have. And the youngest, Frankie, uncovers something that could blow their island apart.
From New York Times bestselling author Jessica Goodman, comes a gripping novel about the lies friends tell, the façade siblings build, and how one summer tests—and breaks—the bonds of family.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Jessica Goodman
7 books2,267 followersJessica Goodman is the New York Times bestselling author of young adult thrillers They Wish they Were Us, They’ll Never Catch Us, The Counselors, and The Legacies.
She is the former op-ed editor at Cosmopolitan magazine, and was part of the 2017 team that won a National Magazine Award in personal service. She has also held editorial positions at Entertainment Weekly and HuffPost, and her work has been published in outlets like Glamour, Condé Nast Traveler, The Cut, Elle, Bustle, and Marie Claire.
She is the former op-ed editor at Cosmopolitan magazine, and was part of the 2017 team that won a National Magazine Award in personal service. She has also held editorial positions at Entertainment Weekly and HuffPost, and her work has been published in outlets like Glamour, Condé Nast Traveler, The Cut, Elle, Bustle, and Marie Claire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 360 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
What struck me most after I finished reading was how unlikeable the three sisters actually were. True, the very pointed emphasis at the start was how the bond of sisterhood is unbreakable and devoid of secrecy, and what follows pretty much proves the opposite. But, when all was said and done, despite not walking away unscathed, I felt next to nothing for their satisfied feeling that they'd sustained their lost relationship. 😐
It was even odder for me that, at the end, I felt sorry for the victim, Billy. He was a jerk, but he was still human. And no one deserves to die the way he did. 😔 Perhaps that unfairness left me colder still, seeing the inconclusive way his murder mystery was resolved. For as much as I appreciated the twists of viable suspects and misdirected clues, ultimately it did not reach a satisfying ending -basically, there has to be an answer - which, was unfortunate.
“I love when they put out old books like this but make them new. It's like seeing something you've seen your whole life but in a totally new light, you know?”
I wasn't particularly fond of either of the Gold sisters - Lucy, Millie, and Frankie, despite them behaving as teens do. The drama, the hopes, the fears - the lies between them that served as a breaking point for their close-knit bonds. 😥 Yet, it was strange how self-centered their thoughts were at times, even regarding their friendship with their neighbors - the three Silver brothers - who also have their fair share of burdens and troubles kept at bay.
The sisters weren't entirely innocent, either. 😒 I couldn't help but be annoyed by how they closed themselves off entirely from Pelican Island at the end; almost as if they felt above the lies and deceit that had engulfed its residents. 🙎🏻♀️ Or perhaps this tragedy was always intended for them to break free of this ideal image they had falsely created within their sheltered walls. To see the darkness that dwells within the façade of perfection and luxuries they take for granted.
“No one really knows each other. We pretend to. But there are some things we keep hidden.”
It was a fast-paced and readable read, I'll give it that. I didn't have any issues with the alternating povs, and I liked watching the layers peel back as dirty laundry was aired and possible motives emerged. Yet, with no real threat or danger, the final reveal is rather anticlimactic, making the entire experience feel for naught and land flat as a YA suspenseful thriller.
“There are three of us, and we are never whole unless we are together.”
What struck me most after I finished reading was how unlikeable the three sisters actually were. True, the very pointed emphasis at the start was how the bond of sisterhood is unbreakable and devoid of secrecy, and what follows pretty much proves the opposite. But, when all was said and done, despite not walking away unscathed, I felt next to nothing for their satisfied feeling that they'd sustained their lost relationship. 😐
It was even odder for me that, at the end, I felt sorry for the victim, Billy. He was a jerk, but he was still human. And no one deserves to die the way he did. 😔 Perhaps that unfairness left me colder still, seeing the inconclusive way his murder mystery was resolved. For as much as I appreciated the twists of viable suspects and misdirected clues, ultimately it did not reach a satisfying ending -basically, there has to be an answer - which, was unfortunate.
“I love when they put out old books like this but make them new. It's like seeing something you've seen your whole life but in a totally new light, you know?”
I wasn't particularly fond of either of the Gold sisters - Lucy, Millie, and Frankie, despite them behaving as teens do. The drama, the hopes, the fears - the lies between them that served as a breaking point for their close-knit bonds. 😥 Yet, it was strange how self-centered their thoughts were at times, even regarding their friendship with their neighbors - the three Silver brothers - who also have their fair share of burdens and troubles kept at bay.
The sisters weren't entirely innocent, either. 😒 I couldn't help but be annoyed by how they closed themselves off entirely from Pelican Island at the end; almost as if they felt above the lies and deceit that had engulfed its residents. 🙎🏻♀️ Or perhaps this tragedy was always intended for them to break free of this ideal image they had falsely created within their sheltered walls. To see the darkness that dwells within the façade of perfection and luxuries they take for granted.
“No one really knows each other. We pretend to. But there are some things we keep hidden.”
It was a fast-paced and readable read, I'll give it that. I didn't have any issues with the alternating povs, and I liked watching the layers peel back as dirty laundry was aired and possible motives emerged. Yet, with no real threat or danger, the final reveal is rather anticlimactic, making the entire experience feel for naught and land flat as a YA suspenseful thriller.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for and honest review
2.75
“No one really knows each other. We pretend to. But there are some things we keep hidden.”
i think i'm destined right now to read vaguely not good books with extremely unlikeable characters. because while i greatly enjoyed the mystery and the overall vibe of this book every single character i couldn't stand. ironically i liked billy who is a character portrayed as a jerk and who was a jerk but what happened to him was awful.
the three gold sisters and the three silver brothers all got on my nerves. all six of them were truly insufferable and felt like they just were there being all jerky. silver and gold but make it from shein because i can't. how they all treated people they supposedly cared about was like i pretend to care about when people say their favorite food is eggs because i can't stand eggs and i don't want to hear about it.
it was fast paced sure but the wrapup and the reason for the murder was like we stuck a finger in an electrial socket and let it pick the reasoning. and dont get me wrong, i like a good open ending but everyone just ended up happy ever after and the lies that arose between all six of our characters could put a cheating man to shame because wth.
not my favorite but still enjoyable for a fast paced ya thriller.
2.75
“No one really knows each other. We pretend to. But there are some things we keep hidden.”
i think i'm destined right now to read vaguely not good books with extremely unlikeable characters. because while i greatly enjoyed the mystery and the overall vibe of this book every single character i couldn't stand. ironically i liked billy who is a character portrayed as a jerk and who was a jerk but what happened to him was awful.
the three gold sisters and the three silver brothers all got on my nerves. all six of them were truly insufferable and felt like they just were there being all jerky. silver and gold but make it from shein because i can't. how they all treated people they supposedly cared about was like i pretend to care about when people say their favorite food is eggs because i can't stand eggs and i don't want to hear about it.
it was fast paced sure but the wrapup and the reason for the murder was like we stuck a finger in an electrial socket and let it pick the reasoning. and dont get me wrong, i like a good open ending but everyone just ended up happy ever after and the lies that arose between all six of our characters could put a cheating man to shame because wth.
not my favorite but still enjoyable for a fast paced ya thriller.
June 19, 2026
This was a great young adult mystery that l quickly finished.
It had good plot twists and the characters were easy to relate to. I highly recommend this author she has other great books.
Thanks NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC that will be released in June 2026!
It had good plot twists and the characters were easy to relate to. I highly recommend this author she has other great books.
Thanks NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC that will be released in June 2026!
April 18, 2026
Review of Advanced Copy From NetGalley
Jessica Goodman never fails to keep you guessing. When I got the ARC for What Lies Between I was ecstatic. Her books never disappoint and this one is yet another amazing read. The turns this story took were wild and unexpected yet it made me want to keep reading I was disappointed when it was over.
By the end of the story you feel compelled to feel bad for the victim and may not end up liking any of the Gold sisters because of how the story unfolds but really it’s a journey of life. Navigating being a teenager amongst a murder and finding yourself is important and the journey they take is built on the foundation that you don’t truly know each other as well as you may think. People are full of surprises and tend to do unexpected things.
The story was amazing and I can’t wait to read another.
Jessica Goodman never fails to keep you guessing. When I got the ARC for What Lies Between I was ecstatic. Her books never disappoint and this one is yet another amazing read. The turns this story took were wild and unexpected yet it made me want to keep reading I was disappointed when it was over.
By the end of the story you feel compelled to feel bad for the victim and may not end up liking any of the Gold sisters because of how the story unfolds but really it’s a journey of life. Navigating being a teenager amongst a murder and finding yourself is important and the journey they take is built on the foundation that you don’t truly know each other as well as you may think. People are full of surprises and tend to do unexpected things.
The story was amazing and I can’t wait to read another.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2026
I’m the first one to give Jessica’s books a one star, so I get why it’s already below a four, but she’s been getting so much better recently! I really enjoyed this one.
I DID think the thing that it ended up being was definitely a cop out and I’m kind of tired of authors doing this particular thing, BUT the other twists and the tense vibes and the drama more than made up for it. It wasn’t NOT good. I definitely recommend it if you want to give her another chance, it’s one of her best ones.
I DID think the thing that it ended up being was definitely a cop out and I’m kind of tired of authors doing this particular thing, BUT the other twists and the tense vibes and the drama more than made up for it. It wasn’t NOT good. I definitely recommend it if you want to give her another chance, it’s one of her best ones.
June 27, 2026
Thanks to the Penguin Teens and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for this Copy.
I picked this up expecting a summer mystery with messy family drama and small-town rich kids hiding secrets. Gold and Silver are neighbors, and both have three boys and three girls, respectively, in the same age bracket. So they are built-in childhood friends. Their bond as siblings and each other is supposed to be unbreakable, yet they're constantly hiding things from each other this summer. It's the last summer before the oldest siblings, who also happen to be dating, leave for college. But instead of making memories, old secrets started to reveal.
That being said, I never really connected with any of them. All of them were unlikeable. I felt the same about the characters of The Meadowbrook Murders. Lucy, Millie, and Frankie all had moments that made me roll my eyes, and most of the characters came across as frustratingly self-centered and selfish. Ironically, I ended up feeling the most sympathy for the character who got murdered, and he was supposed to be a "bad guy".
The mystery started strong. There were enough secrets, suspicious behavior, and shifting suspects to keep me guessing, but at times the story read more like a summer romance rather than a mystery. The mystery felt like a subplot for most of the time. That's a reason why the final reveal didn't have the impact I was hoping for. After all that buildup, I wanted things to have more impact.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, enjoyable read, but nothing memorable. At least, people have kinda present parents in this one.
I picked this up expecting a summer mystery with messy family drama and small-town rich kids hiding secrets. Gold and Silver are neighbors, and both have three boys and three girls, respectively, in the same age bracket. So they are built-in childhood friends. Their bond as siblings and each other is supposed to be unbreakable, yet they're constantly hiding things from each other this summer. It's the last summer before the oldest siblings, who also happen to be dating, leave for college. But instead of making memories, old secrets started to reveal.
That being said, I never really connected with any of them. All of them were unlikeable. I felt the same about the characters of The Meadowbrook Murders. Lucy, Millie, and Frankie all had moments that made me roll my eyes, and most of the characters came across as frustratingly self-centered and selfish. Ironically, I ended up feeling the most sympathy for the character who got murdered, and he was supposed to be a "bad guy".
The mystery started strong. There were enough secrets, suspicious behavior, and shifting suspects to keep me guessing, but at times the story read more like a summer romance rather than a mystery. The mystery felt like a subplot for most of the time. That's a reason why the final reveal didn't have the impact I was hoping for. After all that buildup, I wanted things to have more impact.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, enjoyable read, but nothing memorable. At least, people have kinda present parents in this one.
June 2, 2026
*I received a physical ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I recently read Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman, and overall I had a really enjoyable time with it. One of my favorite aspects of the novel was that it was told from the perspectives of three sisters. I also liked how the story alternated between the present-day investigation and flashbacks to the party where everything changed. At times, the timeline shifts felt a little disjointed, but I appreciated seeing the events surrounding Billy unfold alongside the mystery because it helped build tension and kept me invested. There were a few aspects of the story that frustrated me. One example was the conflict involving Millie's crush on her sister's boyfriend. After he and Lucy broke up, he kissed Millie despite knowing she had feelings for him. Millie immediately stopped it, yet when Lucy found out, she directed much of her anger toward Millie instead of him. That situation reminded me a lot of the kiss between Josh and Lara Jean in book, To All the Boys I've Loved Before. I also felt that this conflict dragged on for longer than necessary, especially because Lucy herself had kissed her ex-girlfriend twice. Because of that, her reaction felt somewhat unfair, and I found it difficult to fully sympathize with her anger toward Millie. Another frustrating aspect was Ethan's attempt to influence where Lucy went to university. His controlling behavior was difficult to watch, though I think that was intentional. One thing the novel does well is present characters who are deeply flawed, making their relationships messy and realistic. My biggest disappointment was the ending. The buildup to the final reveal was dramatic and suspenseful, so when the truth finally came out, it felt somewhat anticlimactic. After spending the entire novel anticipating the answer, my immediate reaction was, "That's it?" Despite those criticisms, I had a lot of fun reading this book. It was engaging enough that I finished it in a single sitting, which is always a good sign for a mystery. I would recommend it to mystery lovers, particularly readers who enjoy family secrets, complicated sibling relationships, and layered timelines. It also gave me similar vibes to Little Fires Everywhere, so fans of that book may find a lot to enjoy here as well.
I recently read Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman, and overall I had a really enjoyable time with it. One of my favorite aspects of the novel was that it was told from the perspectives of three sisters. I also liked how the story alternated between the present-day investigation and flashbacks to the party where everything changed. At times, the timeline shifts felt a little disjointed, but I appreciated seeing the events surrounding Billy unfold alongside the mystery because it helped build tension and kept me invested. There were a few aspects of the story that frustrated me. One example was the conflict involving Millie's crush on her sister's boyfriend. After he and Lucy broke up, he kissed Millie despite knowing she had feelings for him. Millie immediately stopped it, yet when Lucy found out, she directed much of her anger toward Millie instead of him. That situation reminded me a lot of the kiss between Josh and Lara Jean in book, To All the Boys I've Loved Before. I also felt that this conflict dragged on for longer than necessary, especially because Lucy herself had kissed her ex-girlfriend twice. Because of that, her reaction felt somewhat unfair, and I found it difficult to fully sympathize with her anger toward Millie. Another frustrating aspect was Ethan's attempt to influence where Lucy went to university. His controlling behavior was difficult to watch, though I think that was intentional. One thing the novel does well is present characters who are deeply flawed, making their relationships messy and realistic. My biggest disappointment was the ending. The buildup to the final reveal was dramatic and suspenseful, so when the truth finally came out, it felt somewhat anticlimactic. After spending the entire novel anticipating the answer, my immediate reaction was, "That's it?" Despite those criticisms, I had a lot of fun reading this book. It was engaging enough that I finished it in a single sitting, which is always a good sign for a mystery. I would recommend it to mystery lovers, particularly readers who enjoy family secrets, complicated sibling relationships, and layered timelines. It also gave me similar vibes to Little Fires Everywhere, so fans of that book may find a lot to enjoy here as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2026
This complementary ARC from G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers via NetGalley had me in a very familiar headspace…because somehow, I keep ending up right back in my Jessica Goodman era.
If you’ve read her before, you already know the vibe: elite settings, layered relationships, and a premise that sounds absolutely irresistible. And once again, I was pulled in by exactly that. The difference this time? I actually walked away satisfied…eventually.
Getting there, though, took some patience. The first half was a slow burn in the most frustrating way—I found myself picking at it over the course of a week, never fully hooked. Goodman tends to pack in a lot of interpersonal dynamics, but it often leans heavily on telling rather than showing, which makes it tough to feel truly connected to the characters or their stakes.
But somewhere around the midpoint, something clicked. I started forming my own theories about the central murder and the surrounding secrets, and suddenly, I needed to know if I was right. And…yeah. I was. Almost eerily so.
That said, I wouldn’t call it outright predictable. It feels more like the kind of mystery where readers are invited to play along, testing different scenarios as they go. There’s a definite nod to Agatha Christie in that structure, even if the execution doesn’t fully lean into the depth it could have reached.
If Goodman had trusted the story enough to show more instead of explaining it, this could have been something truly standout. As it is, it’s a layered, intriguing read that requires a bit of investment before it pays off, but when it does, it’s genuinely engaging.
For the target audience, I think this will land well. Would I recommend it? Yes—with a little context about what to expect going in.
If you’ve read her before, you already know the vibe: elite settings, layered relationships, and a premise that sounds absolutely irresistible. And once again, I was pulled in by exactly that. The difference this time? I actually walked away satisfied…eventually.
Getting there, though, took some patience. The first half was a slow burn in the most frustrating way—I found myself picking at it over the course of a week, never fully hooked. Goodman tends to pack in a lot of interpersonal dynamics, but it often leans heavily on telling rather than showing, which makes it tough to feel truly connected to the characters or their stakes.
But somewhere around the midpoint, something clicked. I started forming my own theories about the central murder and the surrounding secrets, and suddenly, I needed to know if I was right. And…yeah. I was. Almost eerily so.
That said, I wouldn’t call it outright predictable. It feels more like the kind of mystery where readers are invited to play along, testing different scenarios as they go. There’s a definite nod to Agatha Christie in that structure, even if the execution doesn’t fully lean into the depth it could have reached.
If Goodman had trusted the story enough to show more instead of explaining it, this could have been something truly standout. As it is, it’s a layered, intriguing read that requires a bit of investment before it pays off, but when it does, it’s genuinely engaging.
For the target audience, I think this will land well. Would I recommend it? Yes—with a little context about what to expect going in.
May 8, 2026
I was given the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman. This is the first book that I have read by Jessica Goodman.
As a teacher-librarian at a public school that has all reading levels --from emerging readers to university bound students--I am constantly looking for appropriate content that will interest my readers. Currently, my students are into mysteries and romance novels. At first glance, this novel appears to be both.
Let me describe the book to you: 3 sisters--the Golds, 3 brothers-the Silvers next door. These teenagers are of a similar age. Of course, there is some pairing off between the two families and of course, they live in fancy houses on an island. I was wondering while I read this if this type of setting was a little over-done. Don’t things happen to real, middle class people? Why do the characters always need to be rich? The book gave me a similar vibe to We Were Liars.
Having said that, I did enjoy it and found myself making time to finish it.
Lies, lies, lies. Each sister has a secret that they are keeping. While the Golds are a close family, these secrets are driving them slowly apart. The relationship between the Gold and Silver families is also tested when one of their teenage friends ends up murdered. How will these relationships survive? Who is involved in the murder? Is anyone telling the truth?
There were many twists in the plot and you are kept guessing right until the end about the murder.
I plan to purchase this for my library collection and recommend it to my mystery-lover patrons.
As a teacher-librarian at a public school that has all reading levels --from emerging readers to university bound students--I am constantly looking for appropriate content that will interest my readers. Currently, my students are into mysteries and romance novels. At first glance, this novel appears to be both.
Let me describe the book to you: 3 sisters--the Golds, 3 brothers-the Silvers next door. These teenagers are of a similar age. Of course, there is some pairing off between the two families and of course, they live in fancy houses on an island. I was wondering while I read this if this type of setting was a little over-done. Don’t things happen to real, middle class people? Why do the characters always need to be rich? The book gave me a similar vibe to We Were Liars.
Having said that, I did enjoy it and found myself making time to finish it.
Lies, lies, lies. Each sister has a secret that they are keeping. While the Golds are a close family, these secrets are driving them slowly apart. The relationship between the Gold and Silver families is also tested when one of their teenage friends ends up murdered. How will these relationships survive? Who is involved in the murder? Is anyone telling the truth?
There were many twists in the plot and you are kept guessing right until the end about the murder.
I plan to purchase this for my library collection and recommend it to my mystery-lover patrons.
June 1, 2026
Wealthy, close-knit families on a perfect island — until a boy turns up dead. Lucy, Millie, and Frankie all have secrets; every friend, every sister, every couple is hiding something. As lies unravel, you realise: no one is who they seem.
Sharp, twisty, and full of drama — this is We Were Liars meets Pretty Little Liars. Addictive, glamorous, and packed with shocks. You’ll guess wrong every time. Perfect summer thriller.
Themes of secrets, substance use, and relationship drama.
Sharp, twisty, and full of drama — this is We Were Liars meets Pretty Little Liars. Addictive, glamorous, and packed with shocks. You’ll guess wrong every time. Perfect summer thriller.
Themes of secrets, substance use, and relationship drama.
June 18, 2026
i fear i keep trying to give jessica goodman a chance, but every book i read just falls flat!! this one was an easy read, but i don’t know if i’ll pick up any of her other books.
the beginning started out interesting enough, but i guessed what happened halfway through. and i simply don’t think there was one character that i even remotely liked!!
the beginning started out interesting enough, but i guessed what happened halfway through. and i simply don’t think there was one character that i even remotely liked!!
June 2, 2026
Summer thriller vibes? ✔️
Jessica Goodman is back with another addictive teen drama, complete with privileged characters, a prestigious setting, and complex sibling relationships. The layered whodunit keeps the pages turning, slowly unraveling a web of secrets, lies, and betrayals that will have you second guessing everyone.
The full cast narration by Ellie Gossage, Max Meyers, Alex Finke, and Phoebe Strole was a standout, with each narrator bringing their characters to life and making the multiple POVs easy to follow.
While it wasn’t my favourite of Goodman’s novels, this entertaining and engaging teen murder mystery still delivered plenty of suspense, drama, and twists.
3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars for Goodreads
Jessica Goodman is back with another addictive teen drama, complete with privileged characters, a prestigious setting, and complex sibling relationships. The layered whodunit keeps the pages turning, slowly unraveling a web of secrets, lies, and betrayals that will have you second guessing everyone.
The full cast narration by Ellie Gossage, Max Meyers, Alex Finke, and Phoebe Strole was a standout, with each narrator bringing their characters to life and making the multiple POVs easy to follow.
While it wasn’t my favourite of Goodman’s novels, this entertaining and engaging teen murder mystery still delivered plenty of suspense, drama, and twists.
3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars for Goodreads
April 28, 2026
Thank you to Goodreads for finally winning a free copy of a book that’s not out yet!! 🙌
On paper, this should’ve worked. A wealthy island, two intertwined families, and a murder after a beach party that unravels everything? I’m in. The entire story centers around the boy who died, how it happened, what really went down that night, and ultimately who killed him. It should have been gripping.
But I just could not buy into any of it.
The Golds and the Silvers? Really? Living next door to each other? Each family with three kids one all boys, one all girls and somehow perfectly matched in age? It felt so overly constructed that I never got lost in the story. I was constantly pulled out of it thinking about how unrealistic it all was.
That said, I will give it this: the flashbacks to the night of the party were probably the strongest part of the book. Those moments slowly dropped little clues and built some intrigue. I did like being fed pieces of the truth bit by bit instead of getting everything dumped at once.
There’s also that lingering question throughout: did Olivia actually hear him drowning and choose to ignore it, or did she truly not realize what was happening? That ambiguity had potential and kept things somewhat interesting.
But even with that, the twists overall felt like too much. Every character has some secret, and instead of making it more intense, it made everything feel overdone and less believable.
And honestly, the same issue shows up in the relationships. It felt like the story was trying too hard to include every possible dynamic instead of letting things unfold naturally, which again made it harder to stay invested.
By the time everything comes together, it’s supposed to feel like this big emotional reveal but I just didn’t care. Not about the victim, not about the friendships, not about the relationships.
That’s really what it comes down to: I didn’t believe these people, and I didn’t care about them.
On paper, this should’ve worked. A wealthy island, two intertwined families, and a murder after a beach party that unravels everything? I’m in. The entire story centers around the boy who died, how it happened, what really went down that night, and ultimately who killed him. It should have been gripping.
But I just could not buy into any of it.
The Golds and the Silvers? Really? Living next door to each other? Each family with three kids one all boys, one all girls and somehow perfectly matched in age? It felt so overly constructed that I never got lost in the story. I was constantly pulled out of it thinking about how unrealistic it all was.
That said, I will give it this: the flashbacks to the night of the party were probably the strongest part of the book. Those moments slowly dropped little clues and built some intrigue. I did like being fed pieces of the truth bit by bit instead of getting everything dumped at once.
There’s also that lingering question throughout: did Olivia actually hear him drowning and choose to ignore it, or did she truly not realize what was happening? That ambiguity had potential and kept things somewhat interesting.
But even with that, the twists overall felt like too much. Every character has some secret, and instead of making it more intense, it made everything feel overdone and less believable.
And honestly, the same issue shows up in the relationships. It felt like the story was trying too hard to include every possible dynamic instead of letting things unfold naturally, which again made it harder to stay invested.
By the time everything comes together, it’s supposed to feel like this big emotional reveal but I just didn’t care. Not about the victim, not about the friendships, not about the relationships.
That’s really what it comes down to: I didn’t believe these people, and I didn’t care about them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2025
A teen murder mystery in a wealthy waterfront town. The Gold sisters and the Silver brothers grew up in swanky mansions next door to each other. Then the suspicious drowning death of Billy, a young man in the friend group of the six Gold sisters and Silver brothers, creates tension among the families and everyone in town. Everyone has been keeping secrets. Told in alternate points of view, the lies friends tell are revealed, spinning a who-dunnit that keeps unwinding until the very last page.
I expect this will be a hit with teens in my high school library and will add at least a couple copies for new book displays for the fall of 2026.
I expect this will be a hit with teens in my high school library and will add at least a couple copies for new book displays for the fall of 2026.
June 8, 2026
*2.5 stars*
I honestly struggled to reach the final page of The Lies Between Us. To be completely transparent, I spent most of my time reading this debating whether or not to just DNF it and move on to something else.
The primary issue for me was the cast of characters. I found all three sisters incredibly unlikable, which made it very difficult to invest in their journey. The narrative makes a heavy point of emphasizing their bond—their supposed unbreakable sisterhood and the promise of "no secrets" between them—but as the story progresses, it becomes painfully clear that this premise is a total lie. The hypocrisy inherent in their dynamic, which is fully laid bare by the end, felt less like a compelling plot twist and more like a frustrating betrayal of the book's own core theme.
Ultimately, the growth just wasn't there. By the time I reached the final chapter, it felt as though none of the characters had actually learned anything or evolved from their experiences. They felt stagnant, with every character remaining frustratingly the same as they were on page one. To top it all off, the ambiguous ending felt entirely out of place for this specific story. Instead of leaving me with a sense of intrigue, it just left me feeling unsatisfied and wondering if the time spent finishing it was worth it.
If you enjoy character-driven family dramas where you don't necessarily need to root for the protagonists, you might find something here—but for me, the execution just didn't land.
I honestly struggled to reach the final page of The Lies Between Us. To be completely transparent, I spent most of my time reading this debating whether or not to just DNF it and move on to something else.
The primary issue for me was the cast of characters. I found all three sisters incredibly unlikable, which made it very difficult to invest in their journey. The narrative makes a heavy point of emphasizing their bond—their supposed unbreakable sisterhood and the promise of "no secrets" between them—but as the story progresses, it becomes painfully clear that this premise is a total lie. The hypocrisy inherent in their dynamic, which is fully laid bare by the end, felt less like a compelling plot twist and more like a frustrating betrayal of the book's own core theme.
Ultimately, the growth just wasn't there. By the time I reached the final chapter, it felt as though none of the characters had actually learned anything or evolved from their experiences. They felt stagnant, with every character remaining frustratingly the same as they were on page one. To top it all off, the ambiguous ending felt entirely out of place for this specific story. Instead of leaving me with a sense of intrigue, it just left me feeling unsatisfied and wondering if the time spent finishing it was worth it.
If you enjoy character-driven family dramas where you don't necessarily need to root for the protagonists, you might find something here—but for me, the execution just didn't land.
June 1, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the central mystery in this book, as well as the drama between the three Gold sisters and the Silver brothers. It had strong young adult drama vibes, reminiscent of Regretting You and Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, but with an added crime thriller element, which I found particularly engaging. The interpersonal tension kept me invested throughout.
That said, I did find that I preferred the beginning and middle of the book compared to the final reveal. The conclusion felt a little underwhelming, and I had hoped for something more impactful from the mystery itself. However, it is clear that the heart of the story lies in the relationships between the three sisters. Their dynamic, paired with the alternating points of view, kept me hooked, even though each of them was unlikeable in their own way. This felt intentional and added to the story.
One of the standout elements for me was the setting. Jessica Goodman created such a vivid summer atmosphere that I felt completely immersed in the world of the characters. It made for a great sense of escapism every time I picked up the book.
Overall, I enjoyed Goodman’s writing style and would definitely read more of her work in the future.
I really enjoyed the central mystery in this book, as well as the drama between the three Gold sisters and the Silver brothers. It had strong young adult drama vibes, reminiscent of Regretting You and Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, but with an added crime thriller element, which I found particularly engaging. The interpersonal tension kept me invested throughout.
That said, I did find that I preferred the beginning and middle of the book compared to the final reveal. The conclusion felt a little underwhelming, and I had hoped for something more impactful from the mystery itself. However, it is clear that the heart of the story lies in the relationships between the three sisters. Their dynamic, paired with the alternating points of view, kept me hooked, even though each of them was unlikeable in their own way. This felt intentional and added to the story.
One of the standout elements for me was the setting. Jessica Goodman created such a vivid summer atmosphere that I felt completely immersed in the world of the characters. It made for a great sense of escapism every time I picked up the book.
Overall, I enjoyed Goodman’s writing style and would definitely read more of her work in the future.
June 11, 2026
Solid YA murder mystery that kept me invested, even if it didn't completely blow me away.
Jessica Goodman does what she does best—messy friendships, complicated family dynamics, buried secrets, and plenty of drama simmering beneath the surface. I really enjoyed following the different perspectives of the Gold sisters and seeing how one tragic summer night unraveled everything they thought they knew about each other and the people they loved.
One thing I especially appreciated was the Jewish representation throughout, it added another layer of depth to the characters and their relationships.
While I found the mystery engaging, I guessed some of the twists before they were revealed, which took away a bit of the suspense for me. Still, the family drama and emotional stakes kept me turning the pages.
Two Brothers, Three sisters, two neighboring families, and one tragic summer night. As secrets begin to surface after a beach party ends in disaster, the Gold sisters uncover shocking truths that threaten to destroy the bonds between family, friendship, and first love
If you enjoy YA mysteries filled with secrets, privilege, family tensions, and summer town drama, this one is worth checking out.
Jessica Goodman does what she does best—messy friendships, complicated family dynamics, buried secrets, and plenty of drama simmering beneath the surface. I really enjoyed following the different perspectives of the Gold sisters and seeing how one tragic summer night unraveled everything they thought they knew about each other and the people they loved.
One thing I especially appreciated was the Jewish representation throughout, it added another layer of depth to the characters and their relationships.
While I found the mystery engaging, I guessed some of the twists before they were revealed, which took away a bit of the suspense for me. Still, the family drama and emotional stakes kept me turning the pages.
Two Brothers, Three sisters, two neighboring families, and one tragic summer night. As secrets begin to surface after a beach party ends in disaster, the Gold sisters uncover shocking truths that threaten to destroy the bonds between family, friendship, and first love
If you enjoy YA mysteries filled with secrets, privilege, family tensions, and summer town drama, this one is worth checking out.
June 3, 2026
One dead teenager. Countless secrets. Absolutely no one making good choices.
Lies Between Us follows three sisters whose seemingly perfect summer is shattered when a local teenager dies under suspicious circumstances. As the investigation unfolds, long-buried secrets begin to surface, exposing the cracks in friendships, relationships, and family bonds.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the mystery itself. There were plenty of suspects, plenty of secrets, and enough unanswered questions to keep me invested in finding out what really happened. The story moves at a steady pace, and I was eager to keep reading to see how all the pieces would come together.
The characters are not particularly likable—and I think that's largely the point. Nearly everyone is lying to someone, keeping secrets, hooking up with the wrong person, or wishing they could. The result is a web of messy teenage drama that constantly complicates things while keeping the story moving.
Come for the murder mystery, stay for the absolute chaos.
Lies Between Us follows three sisters whose seemingly perfect summer is shattered when a local teenager dies under suspicious circumstances. As the investigation unfolds, long-buried secrets begin to surface, exposing the cracks in friendships, relationships, and family bonds.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the mystery itself. There were plenty of suspects, plenty of secrets, and enough unanswered questions to keep me invested in finding out what really happened. The story moves at a steady pace, and I was eager to keep reading to see how all the pieces would come together.
The characters are not particularly likable—and I think that's largely the point. Nearly everyone is lying to someone, keeping secrets, hooking up with the wrong person, or wishing they could. The result is a web of messy teenage drama that constantly complicates things while keeping the story moving.
Come for the murder mystery, stay for the absolute chaos.
June 5, 2026
A young adult mystery that is centered around a bunch of rich kids and their families - there is love, jealously, and secrets. The Golds and the Silvers live next door to each other - 3 boy Silvers and 3 girl Golds. When one of their rich friends is found dead after a night of partying, the suspicions surround everyone. The boy wasn't liked by most people - he was rich and arrogant and an a-hole to others.
The POV jumps around between the 3 Gold sisters - Lucy, Millie and Frankie - plus a POV on the night of the tragic death. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, even outside of the 6 main characters. Friends, parents, and lovers... it became a pretty complex web. It was hard to connect to any one character, and I kept forgetting whose POV I was reading. I did enjoy the fast-paced and entertaining plot those, and the twist was pretty good since there were so many potential subjects.
3.5 stars.
*Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review*
The POV jumps around between the 3 Gold sisters - Lucy, Millie and Frankie - plus a POV on the night of the tragic death. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, even outside of the 6 main characters. Friends, parents, and lovers... it became a pretty complex web. It was hard to connect to any one character, and I kept forgetting whose POV I was reading. I did enjoy the fast-paced and entertaining plot those, and the twist was pretty good since there were so many potential subjects.
3.5 stars.
*Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review*
June 2, 2026
For fans of:
Painful secrets
Complex friendships
Multiple POVs
Murder mystery
Beach party gone wrong
Family drama
Character-driven mysteries
This is the PERFECT summer thriller.
The story follows a group of friends after a teenager dies at a beach party, and every chapter peels back another layer of what really happened that night. With multiple POVs and everyone hiding something, I was constantly changing my theories.
What I liked most is that this isn’t just a murder mystery. It’s also about friendships, family dynamics, jealousy, loyalty, and the secrets people keep to protect themselves and the people they love.
The Gold sisters, the Silver brothers, and their messy relationships kept me invested the entire time. Every flashback revealed something new, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, another secret came out.
Painful secrets
Complex friendships
Multiple POVs
Murder mystery
Beach party gone wrong
Family drama
Character-driven mysteries
This is the PERFECT summer thriller.
The story follows a group of friends after a teenager dies at a beach party, and every chapter peels back another layer of what really happened that night. With multiple POVs and everyone hiding something, I was constantly changing my theories.
What I liked most is that this isn’t just a murder mystery. It’s also about friendships, family dynamics, jealousy, loyalty, and the secrets people keep to protect themselves and the people they love.
The Gold sisters, the Silver brothers, and their messy relationships kept me invested the entire time. Every flashback revealed something new, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, another secret came out.
Read
April 20, 2026The Gold Sisters and Silver Brothers have grown up together in their beachfront mansions. The summer before the eldest siblings, Lucy and Ethan are set to go to college, tragedy strikes. Ethan's best friend, Billy, is found dead after one of his famous beachside parties.
Suddenly, their worlds are torn apart, and their longtime friendship with one another is tested to the limits. Who is keeping secrets? Are they all keeping secrets?
Mystery, yes. Twists, yes. Maybe young adult fiction, probably. Not my normal read, however it was good.
Suddenly, their worlds are torn apart, and their longtime friendship with one another is tested to the limits. Who is keeping secrets? Are they all keeping secrets?
Mystery, yes. Twists, yes. Maybe young adult fiction, probably. Not my normal read, however it was good.
May 9, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
The Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman is easily my favorite book she’s written so far. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you into an intense web of secrets, privilege, betrayal, and complicated family dynamics. Goodman does such a great job creating an atmosphere where no one feels fully trustworthy, and every reveal makes you rethink everything you thought you knew.
The relationships between the teens were messy, emotional, and realistic, especially as hidden truths started surfacing. Every chapter added another piece to the puzzle without giving too much away too early.
Jessica Goodman’s writing continues to shine in the YA thriller genre, but this book felt darker, sharper, and more emotionally impactful than her previous novels.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman is easily my favorite book she’s written so far. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you into an intense web of secrets, privilege, betrayal, and complicated family dynamics. Goodman does such a great job creating an atmosphere where no one feels fully trustworthy, and every reveal makes you rethink everything you thought you knew.
The relationships between the teens were messy, emotional, and realistic, especially as hidden truths started surfacing. Every chapter added another piece to the puzzle without giving too much away too early.
Jessica Goodman’s writing continues to shine in the YA thriller genre, but this book felt darker, sharper, and more emotionally impactful than her previous novels.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
April 20, 2026
Sigh.. I was interested at first! Multiple POV always makes for a quick read but I just didn’t feel fully invested in any of the characters? And I did not care about Billy or Erica or who the murderer was. And I feel like the Lucy/ethan/millie/olivia drama was silly and unrelated to the mystery?! I was not into it. This had potential to be good but it wasn’t suspenseful or thrilling… more of a YA drama? Idk. Not my fav!
May 1, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from Penguin Random House
This face paced murder mystery follows teenage sisters Millie, Frankie, and Lucy Gold as they navigate the death of Billy Godwin, who appears to be the local jerk. Their ties to Billy are mostly due to their neighbors, Ethan, Alex, and Trevor Silver, who all seem to have some sort of odd connection to Billy.
The book jumps back and forth from the POVs of each sister. I don’t mind the jumping POVs, although I did feel there was some continuity errors going on. Sometimes it felt as though ancillary characters just appeared in a scene with no introduction. It was also hard to tell how much time had passed between each chapter.
While I felt the twists were predictable, I found them enjoyable. Once I sat down and really dove in, this was a quick and entertaining read while it lasted.
This face paced murder mystery follows teenage sisters Millie, Frankie, and Lucy Gold as they navigate the death of Billy Godwin, who appears to be the local jerk. Their ties to Billy are mostly due to their neighbors, Ethan, Alex, and Trevor Silver, who all seem to have some sort of odd connection to Billy.
The book jumps back and forth from the POVs of each sister. I don’t mind the jumping POVs, although I did feel there was some continuity errors going on. Sometimes it felt as though ancillary characters just appeared in a scene with no introduction. It was also hard to tell how much time had passed between each chapter.
While I felt the twists were predictable, I found them enjoyable. Once I sat down and really dove in, this was a quick and entertaining read while it lasted.
May 12, 2026
I had high hopes for this one given the "Gold vs. Silver" family dynamic, but it ended up falling flat for me. While the setting was interesting and it was a relatively quick read, the "big twist" didn't actually feel like a twist at all—it felt rushed. Because of that, the whole plot felt a bit unnecessary and like it was stretching a simple mystery further than it needed to go. It’s a decent choice if you want something fast and atmospheric, but if you're looking for a thriller that actually shocks you, this probably isn't it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
June 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
The book started off strong but it soon got bogged down by a lot of drama. The twists were some what predictable and the ending left me unsatisfied. To be fair, it is YA and written for a younger audience but I think if there was more concentration on the plot, versus trying to throw the reader off this would have been a solid 4 stars.
The book started off strong but it soon got bogged down by a lot of drama. The twists were some what predictable and the ending left me unsatisfied. To be fair, it is YA and written for a younger audience but I think if there was more concentration on the plot, versus trying to throw the reader off this would have been a solid 4 stars.
July 5, 2026
Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for an ARC of this book.
This story is full of drama and secrets. I unfortunately couldn’t stand any of the characters and thought that the mystery was a very minor part of the book until the end. I also was not a fan of the ending. Sadly, this book did not work for me.
This story is full of drama and secrets. I unfortunately couldn’t stand any of the characters and thought that the mystery was a very minor part of the book until the end. I also was not a fan of the ending. Sadly, this book did not work for me.
June 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This gave me We Were Liars vibes. I think that it was a good book but I fell a little short. The multiple POVs that were prior the murder tried to create a red herring that was predictable. I think the ending was flat.
This gave me We Were Liars vibes. I think that it was a good book but I fell a little short. The multiple POVs that were prior the murder tried to create a red herring that was predictable. I think the ending was flat.
July 6, 2026
4⭐️ A YA murder mystery set in a privileged waterfront town. Perfect summer vibes. This book is full of messy friendships, complicated family dynamics, and plenty of secrets. I enjoy books that have multiple POV that keep you hooked.
March 18, 2026
This is my first Jessica Goodman book and I was skeptical at first but it kept me intrigued. I thought the ending and the twist was expected but not at the same time. I knew the kids had something to do it with it but I couldn’t figure out which one. Oh and I don’t like to post spoilers but just venting. Lucy was annoying and self absorbed! Had me angry the entire time!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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