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Lies Between Us
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26The 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
Expected publication June 2, 2026
6603 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Goodman
6 books2,170 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Jessica Goodman delivers another sharp, fast-paced YA mystery with “Lies Between Us,” a story that thrives on secrets, shifting loyalties, and the complicated bonds of sisterhood. Set in a wealthy waterfront community where nothing bad is supposed to happen, the book proves that perfection is often just a carefully maintained illusion.
The story is told through the alternating perspectives of the three Gold sisters, and each voice is clear, distinct, and emotionally grounded. Lucy, the oldest, is quietly pulling away from her boyfriend Ethan and coming to terms with her own future. Millie, the middle sister, is harboring a devastating secret of her own: she’s in love with Ethan. And Frankie, the youngest at fifteen, feels perpetually sidelined as she is shown to be too young to be taken seriously, yet observant enough to sense that something is deeply wrong. Each sister is lying to the others, convinced their secret is the one that must stay buried.
When a teen boy they all know is found dead after a party in what first looks like a drowning that soon becomes a murder the fragile balance holding their world together begins to crack. The death sends shockwaves through the tightly intertwined Gold and Silver families, who have grown up side by side in adjacent mansions, blurring the lines between friendship, loyalty, and entitlement. As suspicion mounts, it becomes increasingly clear that Ethan and the Silver brothers are at the center of something dangerous, and whatever the truth is, it’s going to destroy lives.
Goodman skillfully layers the mystery with occasional flashback chapters from the victim’s perspective, slowly revealing what really happened the night of the party. These chapters add tension and context, while also showing how deeply everyone is implicated, whether through action, silence, or self-preservation. The mystery itself is well constructed, with plenty of red herrings and twists where some are predictable while others are genuinely surprising, but it’s the character dynamics that give the story its real bite.
Frankie’s amateur sleuthing can feel immature at times, but her behavior rings true for a fifteen-year-old desperate to matter. Millie is often the hardest sister to like, particularly because of her choices regarding Ethan, yet her flaws are painfully human. Lucy, meanwhile, carries the emotional weight of the story, torn between loyalty, honesty, and the realization that growing up sometimes means letting go of who you thought people were.
The story’s greatest strength is the relationship between the sisters (as well as the brothers). Despite jealousy, betrayal, and resentment, their bond ultimately becomes the emotional core of the story. Watching them finally work together to uncover the truth is both satisfying and cathartic, reinforcing that the real mystery isn’t just who killed Billy but how far people will go to protect themselves and each other.
The ending is bittersweet rather than triumphant. While the truth does come out, not everything is neatly repaired, and the cost of those lies lingers. Still, the final pages emphasize growth, accountability, and the enduring power of sisterhood.
Overall, “Lies Between Us” is a compulsively readable YA thriller that explores murder and social politics with messy, believable relationships. Jessica Goodman’s razor-sharp pacing, layered character work, and emotionally grounded twists make this a standout. This book is perfect for fans of fast, twisty summer thrillers where the biggest secrets are the ones we keep from the people we love most.
Jessica Goodman delivers another sharp, fast-paced YA mystery with “Lies Between Us,” a story that thrives on secrets, shifting loyalties, and the complicated bonds of sisterhood. Set in a wealthy waterfront community where nothing bad is supposed to happen, the book proves that perfection is often just a carefully maintained illusion.
The story is told through the alternating perspectives of the three Gold sisters, and each voice is clear, distinct, and emotionally grounded. Lucy, the oldest, is quietly pulling away from her boyfriend Ethan and coming to terms with her own future. Millie, the middle sister, is harboring a devastating secret of her own: she’s in love with Ethan. And Frankie, the youngest at fifteen, feels perpetually sidelined as she is shown to be too young to be taken seriously, yet observant enough to sense that something is deeply wrong. Each sister is lying to the others, convinced their secret is the one that must stay buried.
When a teen boy they all know is found dead after a party in what first looks like a drowning that soon becomes a murder the fragile balance holding their world together begins to crack. The death sends shockwaves through the tightly intertwined Gold and Silver families, who have grown up side by side in adjacent mansions, blurring the lines between friendship, loyalty, and entitlement. As suspicion mounts, it becomes increasingly clear that Ethan and the Silver brothers are at the center of something dangerous, and whatever the truth is, it’s going to destroy lives.
Goodman skillfully layers the mystery with occasional flashback chapters from the victim’s perspective, slowly revealing what really happened the night of the party. These chapters add tension and context, while also showing how deeply everyone is implicated, whether through action, silence, or self-preservation. The mystery itself is well constructed, with plenty of red herrings and twists where some are predictable while others are genuinely surprising, but it’s the character dynamics that give the story its real bite.
Frankie’s amateur sleuthing can feel immature at times, but her behavior rings true for a fifteen-year-old desperate to matter. Millie is often the hardest sister to like, particularly because of her choices regarding Ethan, yet her flaws are painfully human. Lucy, meanwhile, carries the emotional weight of the story, torn between loyalty, honesty, and the realization that growing up sometimes means letting go of who you thought people were.
The story’s greatest strength is the relationship between the sisters (as well as the brothers). Despite jealousy, betrayal, and resentment, their bond ultimately becomes the emotional core of the story. Watching them finally work together to uncover the truth is both satisfying and cathartic, reinforcing that the real mystery isn’t just who killed Billy but how far people will go to protect themselves and each other.
The ending is bittersweet rather than triumphant. While the truth does come out, not everything is neatly repaired, and the cost of those lies lingers. Still, the final pages emphasize growth, accountability, and the enduring power of sisterhood.
Overall, “Lies Between Us” is a compulsively readable YA thriller that explores murder and social politics with messy, believable relationships. Jessica Goodman’s razor-sharp pacing, layered character work, and emotionally grounded twists make this a standout. This book is perfect for fans of fast, twisty summer thrillers where the biggest secrets are the ones we keep from the people we love most.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Net Galley for the advance copy!
While Jessica Goodman has proven to write compelling stories of rich, northeastern teen murder mysteries, this one really missed the mark for me. While the three Silver sisters had some distinguishing characteristics, there was nothing particularly interesting about their characters or their individual dramas. The male characters were largely one-note stereotypes, especially the victim, who is so unlikable it is hard to care if anyone actually does solve how he died.
However, the main reasons where the book seems to fall flat is, first, there is never any sense of real tension or danger. The book falls more into the trap of “telling” the reader that there is a dangerous murderer lurking around the community, without actually showing the potential of this by having tense scenes. The second main issue is that the book seemed a bit sloppy in its organization. There seemed to be moments where a new chapter begins and a character still is investigating
old knowledge that has been debunked in their presence, yet, they continue to operate as if that possible outcome will still explain the murder. This is especially problematic as the book cycles through suspects at the end of the book quickly, without really setting up their potential involvement, only so they can then be quickly discarded as suspects.
Overall, this one was a bit of a letdown given how much I enjoyed some of her previous books.
While Jessica Goodman has proven to write compelling stories of rich, northeastern teen murder mysteries, this one really missed the mark for me. While the three Silver sisters had some distinguishing characteristics, there was nothing particularly interesting about their characters or their individual dramas. The male characters were largely one-note stereotypes, especially the victim, who is so unlikable it is hard to care if anyone actually does solve how he died.
However, the main reasons where the book seems to fall flat is, first, there is never any sense of real tension or danger. The book falls more into the trap of “telling” the reader that there is a dangerous murderer lurking around the community, without actually showing the potential of this by having tense scenes. The second main issue is that the book seemed a bit sloppy in its organization. There seemed to be moments where a new chapter begins and a character still is investigating
old knowledge that has been debunked in their presence, yet, they continue to operate as if that possible outcome will still explain the murder. This is especially problematic as the book cycles through suspects at the end of the book quickly, without really setting up their potential involvement, only so they can then be quickly discarded as suspects.
Overall, this one was a bit of a letdown given how much I enjoyed some of her previous books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
Lies Between Us is a compelling YA mystery set in a posh waterfront community where nothing bad is ever supposed to happen—until the death of a teen boy after a party shakes the entire town. Against the backdrop of a summer full of tennis, lifeguarding, and sun-soaked routines, the story gradually unravels the tangled connections between the Gold and Silver families.
The mystery is grounded in the web of relationships that binds these families together, revealing tensions, secrets, and shifting loyalties. The idyllic small-town setting—where perfection is part of the culture—makes the tragedy hit even harder, and every new clue adds to the sense of unease rippling through the community.
As the investigation deepens, the character dynamics become just as gripping as the central mystery itself. It’s a solid YA-focused story that blends drama, suspense, and summer atmosphere in a satisfying way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to preread and review this book.
The mystery is grounded in the web of relationships that binds these families together, revealing tensions, secrets, and shifting loyalties. The idyllic small-town setting—where perfection is part of the culture—makes the tragedy hit even harder, and every new clue adds to the sense of unease rippling through the community.
As the investigation deepens, the character dynamics become just as gripping as the central mystery itself. It’s a solid YA-focused story that blends drama, suspense, and summer atmosphere in a satisfying way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to preread and review this book.
January 19, 2026
For me, this author is an automatic read and request. I find all of her books are super fast paced and interesting and this one was no different. I literally read it in a couple of hours and was thoroughly engaged. We meet these two families, the goals, and the silvers, whose lives are so intertwined. It’s hard to tell where one family ends, and the other begins. And for that reason, the three brothers and the three sisters, naively believe that they don’t have secrets from each other. However, when tragedy strikes on their small island, they realize that everybody has secrets and sometimes we don’t see who people really are we see who we want them to be. There were lots of red herrings in this book that had me convinced. I had all the answers only to learn that I definitely did not and I think that this will definitely be a book. My students will want to read in class. As always, this author has knocked it out of the park.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
✨Thank you to the publisher & author for this ARC!!✨
Jessica Goodman does it again! A great story told in the points of view of the the 3 Gold girls. When a teen dies, the police say it’s murder, in their safe small community on Long Island, the Gold girl’s spend their summer finding out the truth, not just about his death, but about a lot of things in their life. Goodman does a fantastic job weaving the story to make you suspect so many different characters, only to be given a shocking answer at the end.
Jessica Goodman does it again! A great story told in the points of view of the the 3 Gold girls. When a teen dies, the police say it’s murder, in their safe small community on Long Island, the Gold girl’s spend their summer finding out the truth, not just about his death, but about a lot of things in their life. Goodman does a fantastic job weaving the story to make you suspect so many different characters, only to be given a shocking answer at the end.
Read
January 21, 2026The Gold sisters have basically grown up with the Silver brothers. But when one of the Gold sisters finds a classmate in the ocean during her job as a lifeguard, it changes the course of everyone's summer, and not in a good way.
I love Jessica Goodman. I got the sisters and their respective subplots mixed up a few times, but that's a me thing. I don't do well with multiple POV books. Will always immediately want to read Jessica Goodman novels.
Thanks, NetGalley!
I love Jessica Goodman. I got the sisters and their respective subplots mixed up a few times, but that's a me thing. I don't do well with multiple POV books. Will always immediately want to read Jessica Goodman novels.
Thanks, NetGalley!
November 3, 2025
need this now
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've been waiting for this author to come up with a novel that didn't hinge on the adults all being unfathomable idiots, and: Achievement Unlocked! I knew (hoped) she could do it!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews