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Lies That Hold Us
A gripping thriller of family secrets, first love, and the lies that open the door to danger
Sixteen-year-old piano prodigy Liam has always lived in a world of music, secrets, and lies. When he is torn from Manhattan and sent to the vineyards of California, he must learn to trust the father who once abandoned him while navigating his growing connection with Avery, the bold girl determined to break through his walls.
What begins as a new start quickly twists into something far more dangerous.
One careless click online unleashes a predator who turns their lives into a deadly game.
In the shadows of the vine-drenched hills, Liam and Avery must decide how far they are willing to go to protect each other before the lies that hold them become the trap that destroys them.
Sixteen-year-old piano prodigy Liam has always lived in a world of music, secrets, and lies. When he is torn from Manhattan and sent to the vineyards of California, he must learn to trust the father who once abandoned him while navigating his growing connection with Avery, the bold girl determined to break through his walls.
What begins as a new start quickly twists into something far more dangerous.
One careless click online unleashes a predator who turns their lives into a deadly game.
In the shadows of the vine-drenched hills, Liam and Avery must decide how far they are willing to go to protect each other before the lies that hold them become the trap that destroys them.
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Published October 24, 2025
12 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 12, 2026
Wow! I am a huge thriller/ mystery girl but this book hit different. It is not just a run of the mill thriller but an emotional roller coaster in such a good way. I was only going to read the first few chapters because I had school early the next day but I ended up reading the entire book that night! It was worth every page and eworth being tired the next day. PLEASE I need more - I am so invested in these characters - the young doctor dad had me bawling my eyes out - the piano prodigy son and dad relationship is everything - yes, this is my favorite book
December 14, 2025
Gripping read! Tension built steadily, secrets kept stacking up, kept me guessing. This read was full of lies, danger, and high stakes definitely worth reading. You won’t want to put it down and you won’t regret the choice to check this book out.
December 31, 2025
Great read especially for kids
I gave this book 5 stars because the characters felt real - especially the motivations behind their choices, While Liam drives the story, Avery's decisions hit close to home for me. I recognized myself in her, not because she was flawless, but because the reasons behind her actions made sense at that age. Fear, hope, and survival don't always lead to perfect choices, and this book captures that honestly.
The tension builds steadily, the emotional stakes feel authentic, and the story never loses sight of the human cost behind every decision. It's not just about what happens - it's about why it happens.
I gave this book 5 stars because the characters felt real - especially the motivations behind their choices, While Liam drives the story, Avery's decisions hit close to home for me. I recognized myself in her, not because she was flawless, but because the reasons behind her actions made sense at that age. Fear, hope, and survival don't always lead to perfect choices, and this book captures that honestly.
The tension builds steadily, the emotional stakes feel authentic, and the story never loses sight of the human cost behind every decision. It's not just about what happens - it's about why it happens.
December 16, 2025
Lies That Hold Us pulled me in from the very first chapter and didn’t let go. What starts as a quiet, emotional story about grief and starting over quickly turns into a tense, edge-of-your-seat thriller that feels disturbingly real.
Liam is such a compelling main character. His grief, his love for music, and the walls he’s built around himself feel raw and believable. Avery is the perfect contrast—open-hearted, creative, and trusting in a way that makes you want to protect her even as you worry about the choices she makes. Their connection feels genuine, tender, and earned, which makes the danger that unfolds even more intense.
What really stood out to me was how the story balances suspense with emotion. This isn’t just a thriller; it’s about loss, trust, family, and how far you’ll go to protect someone you love. The pacing is excellent, the stakes feel high, and the ending kept me flipping pages late into the night.
If you enjoy YA thrillers with romance, emotional depth, and a dark edge—especially if you love authors like Karen M. McManus or Holly Jackson—this book is absolutely worth reading. Lies That Hold Us is haunting, addictive, and unforgettable.
Liam is such a compelling main character. His grief, his love for music, and the walls he’s built around himself feel raw and believable. Avery is the perfect contrast—open-hearted, creative, and trusting in a way that makes you want to protect her even as you worry about the choices she makes. Their connection feels genuine, tender, and earned, which makes the danger that unfolds even more intense.
What really stood out to me was how the story balances suspense with emotion. This isn’t just a thriller; it’s about loss, trust, family, and how far you’ll go to protect someone you love. The pacing is excellent, the stakes feel high, and the ending kept me flipping pages late into the night.
If you enjoy YA thrillers with romance, emotional depth, and a dark edge—especially if you love authors like Karen M. McManus or Holly Jackson—this book is absolutely worth reading. Lies That Hold Us is haunting, addictive, and unforgettable.
March 13, 2026
Thank you to everyone who recommended this book. I probably wouldn’t have picked it up without all the five-star ratings and great reviews, but I’m so glad I did. This story was incredibly satisfying from beginning to end.
Even though it’s a YA novel, it feels like so much more than that. It blends thriller, romance, and family drama in a way that keeps you completely invested in the characters. The author also does a fantastic job bringing California wine country to life. The setting feels vivid and real, and it adds so much atmosphere to the story.
D.L. Dawn is definitely an author I’ll be watching. I already know I’ll be first in line to buy whatever she writes next.
Even though it’s a YA novel, it feels like so much more than that. It blends thriller, romance, and family drama in a way that keeps you completely invested in the characters. The author also does a fantastic job bringing California wine country to life. The setting feels vivid and real, and it adds so much atmosphere to the story.
D.L. Dawn is definitely an author I’ll be watching. I already know I’ll be first in line to buy whatever she writes next.
November 4, 2025
Part thriller, part romance, part childhood trauma - this book has it all.
Liam had to move in with his estranged father after the death of his mom and step-dad. Watching their relationship shift, as well as watching Liam build relationships with Liz and Avery, would have been a good story on its own, but the thriller aspect kept me wondering what would happen next. I’m eager to see what the sequel brings!
Liam had to move in with his estranged father after the death of his mom and step-dad. Watching their relationship shift, as well as watching Liam build relationships with Liz and Avery, would have been a good story on its own, but the thriller aspect kept me wondering what would happen next. I’m eager to see what the sequel brings!
February 13, 2026
I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. I picked it up hoping for a fast, can’t-put-it-down read, and Lies That Hold Us completely delivered. The tension builds fast, the characters feel real, and the emotional moments hit hard. It’s scary in a very real way, but also full of heart. I stayed up way too late finishing this one. Highly recommend if you love thrillers with emotion and depth.
March 6, 2026
As a person in high school I find this book to be one of the best books I’ve read all year. I was reading through the reviews and I find it so weird and to be honest creepy that old men read this book as it’s clearly meant for young adults. I liked it because it was a thriller, but then there were so many parts that I could totally relate to. My friends and I agree this is one of the best books of the year.
November 12, 2025
Best book of the year! Thriller, first love but the the part I love the most is the relationship between father and son. This book should be a Netflix series - it has everything including edge of your seat thriller, characters that you fall in love with and a predator that keeps you guessing. I can't wait for the sequel.
January 2, 2026
I loved this book! I could not put it down. Lies that Hold Us is well written, causing me to care about the all too real characters. I could feel Liam’s pain, Eric’s uncertainty, Avery’s struggles. There was enough detail that I feel like I was in the wine country of California. Great story I’m excited to find out what happens next.!
November 20, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick read. It’s the perfect plot and loved the character development. 5/5 starts. It’s a page turner. I had this read in less then 24 hours. The ending makes you shed a tear. I can’t wait for the second book
January 2, 2026
I didn't know if I would like this , but I read it in one sitting. It is relevant and touching while still being entertaining. great read for adults and YA readers. It probably will be made into a movie. I reccommend this book, and give it 5 stars.
March 6, 2026
I’m so in love with this Liam character and his dad who happens to be a doctor. I literally think this could make an Amazing series on TV! I really love this book and all the characters and it made me cry!
November 26, 2025
Best surprise of the year. Will there be a movie and a sequel? I found it deep for a YA? It lands in-between the worlds, which is a mass appeal to men as well as women. I Really recommend this read.
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February 7, 2026
Not a bad thriller
The storyline is not bad. The format, grammar, and puntuation need work. A good editor could make this a shining star in the thriller book world!
The storyline is not bad. The format, grammar, and puntuation need work. A good editor could make this a shining star in the thriller book world!
February 27, 2026
Excellent YA thriller - the romance in the book is sweet, the suspense feels real and the emotion will make you shed a tear. Worth the read and I'm going to add this author to my watch list
February 25, 2026
3.8⭐️
An easy, fast-read thriller. I was hoping for a little more plot on the thriller side, but this is more character focused and slow.
Avery is a little too dumb/naive to love as a main character, but Liam completely makes up for it. He is great, and his relationships around him are as well. Wish we had more from Sam, but the high school relationships kinda were dropped in favor of the main romance.
The writing was weird, some chapters were excellent and smooth while others were too jerky and way too repetitive at times (not consistent with the pov either which changed mid-scene sometimes).
For example, this was all from the same chapter and not even all the examples in the chapter. Once or twice is fine, but the sentence structure was always repetitive.
“It sat near the bay windows, bathed in light, its polished wood gleaming. Silent. Expectant. Waiting.”
“Grief doesn’t disappear. It waits. Patient. Relentless.”
“…she still lived, whole, unbroken.”
And
“…his palm, solid and real.” “That sound, steady and patient.” “The sound lingered, certain and unshaken,”
“The moment settled in him, heavy and unforgiving.”
“Tears slid down his face, quiet and unchecked.”
I stumbled onto this in a Facebook comment searching for a YA thriller and am glad I found this! Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something more character focused
An easy, fast-read thriller. I was hoping for a little more plot on the thriller side, but this is more character focused and slow.
Avery is a little too dumb/naive to love as a main character, but Liam completely makes up for it. He is great, and his relationships around him are as well. Wish we had more from Sam, but the high school relationships kinda were dropped in favor of the main romance.
The writing was weird, some chapters were excellent and smooth while others were too jerky and way too repetitive at times (not consistent with the pov either which changed mid-scene sometimes).
For example, this was all from the same chapter and not even all the examples in the chapter. Once or twice is fine, but the sentence structure was always repetitive.
“It sat near the bay windows, bathed in light, its polished wood gleaming. Silent. Expectant. Waiting.”
“Grief doesn’t disappear. It waits. Patient. Relentless.”
“…she still lived, whole, unbroken.”
And
“…his palm, solid and real.” “That sound, steady and patient.” “The sound lingered, certain and unshaken,”
“The moment settled in him, heavy and unforgiving.”
“Tears slid down his face, quiet and unchecked.”
I stumbled onto this in a Facebook comment searching for a YA thriller and am glad I found this! Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something more character focused
November 3, 2025
Lies That Hold Us by D.L. Dawn is a beautifully written and emotionally layered story that captivated me from start to finish. I listened to it on Audible via a courtesy code, and it exceeded my expectations in every way.
The story follows Liam, a gifted pianist who relocates to California to live with his estranged father after the tragic loss of his mother and stepfather in Manhattan. Shaped by a difficult upbringing, Liam is quiet and withdrawn, carrying deep resentment toward his father, Dr. Eric Brooks, who relinquished his parental rights years earlier. As Liam begins to rebuild his life, he meets Avery, a classmate who draws him out of his shell. Their friendship deepens, but when Avery finds herself in a dangerous situation, Liam must step in to help—forcing him to confront both his past and his capacity for forgiveness.
What struck me most was the emotional depth and nuance of this story. Though I don’t typically gravitate toward YA fiction, I found this narrative compelling and surprisingly mature. The alternating perspectives between Liam, Avery, and Eric are handled seamlessly, offering insight into each character’s growth and motivations. The blend of emotional realism and suspense adds a layer of intrigue that keeps the listener fully engaged.
The story’s exploration of trust, redemption, and the bonds that shape us felt authentic and resonant. I especially appreciated how the characters’ relationships evolved with honesty and empathy. The ending was both satisfying and thought-provoking. Lies That Hold Us is a poignant and well-crafted listen that I’d highly recommend to anyone who appreciates a character-driven story with emotional depth and a touch of tension.
The story follows Liam, a gifted pianist who relocates to California to live with his estranged father after the tragic loss of his mother and stepfather in Manhattan. Shaped by a difficult upbringing, Liam is quiet and withdrawn, carrying deep resentment toward his father, Dr. Eric Brooks, who relinquished his parental rights years earlier. As Liam begins to rebuild his life, he meets Avery, a classmate who draws him out of his shell. Their friendship deepens, but when Avery finds herself in a dangerous situation, Liam must step in to help—forcing him to confront both his past and his capacity for forgiveness.
What struck me most was the emotional depth and nuance of this story. Though I don’t typically gravitate toward YA fiction, I found this narrative compelling and surprisingly mature. The alternating perspectives between Liam, Avery, and Eric are handled seamlessly, offering insight into each character’s growth and motivations. The blend of emotional realism and suspense adds a layer of intrigue that keeps the listener fully engaged.
The story’s exploration of trust, redemption, and the bonds that shape us felt authentic and resonant. I especially appreciated how the characters’ relationships evolved with honesty and empathy. The ending was both satisfying and thought-provoking. Lies That Hold Us is a poignant and well-crafted listen that I’d highly recommend to anyone who appreciates a character-driven story with emotional depth and a touch of tension.
January 5, 2026
Loved it
This book hits like a cyclone of emotions. Liam, a teenage piano prodigy is grieving the loss of his mother and struggling with memories of his abusive step-father, leaves New York for California to live with a father he had never met. Add a live interest who was catfished by a dangerous and possessive man and drama ensues.
Although this is a thriller with a romantic storyline, this is also a story about new beginnings , how music can help the heart start to heal, and about breaking down the walls protecting our fragile hearts.
This book hits like a cyclone of emotions. Liam, a teenage piano prodigy is grieving the loss of his mother and struggling with memories of his abusive step-father, leaves New York for California to live with a father he had never met. Add a live interest who was catfished by a dangerous and possessive man and drama ensues.
Although this is a thriller with a romantic storyline, this is also a story about new beginnings , how music can help the heart start to heal, and about breaking down the walls protecting our fragile hearts.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews