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The Truth Beneath the Lies
Fight or Flight.
All Kayla Asher wants to do is run. Run from the government housing complex she calls home. Run from her unstable mother. Run from a desperate job at No Limit Foods. Run to a better, cleaner, safer life. Every day is one day closer to leaving.
All Betsy Hopewell wants to do is survive. Survive the burner phone hidden under her bed. Survive her new rules. Survive a new school with new classmates. Survive being watched. Every minute grants her another moment of life.
But when fate brings Kayla and Betsy together, only one girl will live.
All Kayla Asher wants to do is run. Run from the government housing complex she calls home. Run from her unstable mother. Run from a desperate job at No Limit Foods. Run to a better, cleaner, safer life. Every day is one day closer to leaving.
All Betsy Hopewell wants to do is survive. Survive the burner phone hidden under her bed. Survive her new rules. Survive a new school with new classmates. Survive being watched. Every minute grants her another moment of life.
But when fate brings Kayla and Betsy together, only one girl will live.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published December 12, 2017
56 people are currently reading
2856 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Searcy
2 books82 followersAmanda Searcy has a BA from New Mexico State University and an MA in human rights from the University of Essex in England. She works in collection development for a public library system and loves chocolate, cats, and curling up with a good book. She lives in New Mexico.
Visit her online at amandasearcybooks.com and follow her on Twitter at @aesearcy.
Visit her online at amandasearcybooks.com and follow her on Twitter at @aesearcy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
December 13, 2017
The Truth Beneath the Lies by Amanda Searcy was great! We follow two different lives, Kayla and Betsy. The story is read in both of their perspectives. This was actually a pretty dark YA, so obviously that left me feeling pleased. 😈
Kayla, once living in and out of foster care, now lives with her mom in Bluebird Estates, a crappy area. Her mother is a recovering addict and Kayla is counting down the days until she can move to a nicer place. Kayla works the evening shifts at the local grocery store and has to keep her head down and hoodie up to walk home. There has been a murderer on the loose killing young girls and it’s becoming really sketchy to walk home alone at night. During this time she meets a great guy named Jordan. He offers to drive her home after her shifts. He’s honest, funny and charming. He’s a little bit older than Kayla but she doesn’t mind. He actually sees her for her. They hit it off quite well. Her foster mom, Marie, has kept her school address as her own so Kayla goes to a nice school. She has sweet friends and is on the dance team but struggles to keep her new relationship with Jordan and her friendships at a safe distance.
Then we have Betsy. She lives with her mom in San Justo. She’s new but quickly makes friends with a pregnant girl named Happy. Happy’s big family gives Betsy the side eye most of the time. Betsy lives an anxiety filled life. Her past makes her nervous and doesn’t want anyone finding out about it. The “black monster” (a burner phone) calls her repeatedly, letting her know she doesn’t have much time left. Betsy is left with always looking over her shoulder. She was a bit more mysterious but I enjoyed both perspectives.
Im giving this 4.5 stars and I recommend! Thank you Delacorte Press / Random House Kids for this copy, I truly appreciate it!
Kayla, once living in and out of foster care, now lives with her mom in Bluebird Estates, a crappy area. Her mother is a recovering addict and Kayla is counting down the days until she can move to a nicer place. Kayla works the evening shifts at the local grocery store and has to keep her head down and hoodie up to walk home. There has been a murderer on the loose killing young girls and it’s becoming really sketchy to walk home alone at night. During this time she meets a great guy named Jordan. He offers to drive her home after her shifts. He’s honest, funny and charming. He’s a little bit older than Kayla but she doesn’t mind. He actually sees her for her. They hit it off quite well. Her foster mom, Marie, has kept her school address as her own so Kayla goes to a nice school. She has sweet friends and is on the dance team but struggles to keep her new relationship with Jordan and her friendships at a safe distance.
Then we have Betsy. She lives with her mom in San Justo. She’s new but quickly makes friends with a pregnant girl named Happy. Happy’s big family gives Betsy the side eye most of the time. Betsy lives an anxiety filled life. Her past makes her nervous and doesn’t want anyone finding out about it. The “black monster” (a burner phone) calls her repeatedly, letting her know she doesn’t have much time left. Betsy is left with always looking over her shoulder. She was a bit more mysterious but I enjoyed both perspectives.
Im giving this 4.5 stars and I recommend! Thank you Delacorte Press / Random House Kids for this copy, I truly appreciate it!
December 24, 2017
I'm not sure how I feel about this or even how to rate it.
The beginning felt so disjointed and confusing but even with the confusion, it only took me a couple of chapters in to figure out what was going on in the story and that was disappointing. I wanted there to be more to the "two" girls than there was and I didn't want to have most of it figured out 14% into the story.
It was intriguing though so I have to give it a few stars for that and for the fact that it was a darker read which is sometimes nice to have as well. YA can be filled with a little too much sunshine and roses, especially in this subgenre.
The beginning felt so disjointed and confusing but even with the confusion, it only took me a couple of chapters in to figure out what was going on in the story and that was disappointing. I wanted there to be more to the "two" girls than there was and I didn't want to have most of it figured out 14% into the story.
It was intriguing though so I have to give it a few stars for that and for the fact that it was a darker read which is sometimes nice to have as well. YA can be filled with a little too much sunshine and roses, especially in this subgenre.
December 6, 2017
***Actual rating: 4.5/5 Kayla-or-Betsy Stars***
First of all, can we all take a moment to appreciate how gorgeous this book cover is? Ever since I read Elle Cosimano’s Holding Smoke, I’ve come to appreciate mystery thriller more, so when Isaw the cover read the synopsis of The Truth Beneath The Lies, I was hooked. Hence, I devoured the book in 2 days and man, didn’t I LOVE it. The story was told from both Kayla and Betsy’s POVs and I had to say that Amanda did a splendid job at this! She brilliantly wove both girls’ personal experiences as well as darkest secrets into the story without further confusing me. Although I admitted that I was so eager to distinguish the truths from the lies 89% of the story, it was actually a worthwhile reading experience.
Meet the Characters
Kayla and Betsy were two teenage girls living in two cities with their own families, friends and classmates. They had their own lives, comfort zones and personal demons. Kayla desperately wanted to live her life by moving to somewhere safe with someone who truly loved her for who she was while Betsy was taking her life one day at a time because she was constantly anxious about the impending death brought to her by that man behind the black monster with an unknown number from Washington.
Then there were a 19-year-old (as he claimed) cutie with a dazzling smile called Jordan as well as a 20-something (I guessed) Adrian, who always shot daggers at Betsy as if she was a plague. Aside from these protagonists, the supporting characters in this book served as a crucial element for the following plot twists and that was what I appreciated most in the book. Marie, Finn, Teddy, Elton, Happy, Drake and even Grace all played an important part of the book and I couldn’t admire the author more for building such a suspenseful yet highly addictive world.
Kayla’s Life
One day, Kayla met Jordan and though it was 100% love at first sight in my opinion, it was quite adorable.
Jordan wasn’t the flirtatious, cheesy type of guy but I really loved how insistent and protective he was when being around Kayla. He was such a sweetheart that I fell hard for him on the spot as well.
From the moment they talked, they simply clicked! and both realized that they’d found the one.
Betsy’s Life
As for Betsy, well, she wasn’t that lucky when it comes to love but I’d totally ship Adrian and her if they were a thing somehow. Adrian wasn’t exactly fond of her from the beginning of the story because he sort of suspected her to be someone she wasn’t and…vice versa. Betsy was convinced by Adrian’s odd behavior from time to time that he was someone she should stay away from. She thought he knew about her unspeakable past; thus, she was fully aware (and afraid) of the unescapable consequence if he let that piece of secret slip. What she didn’t expect was the fact that Adrian was someone with an even darker history which would make him pay if she spilt it to someone else. In order to keep both of them alive, they made a deal. And the story just got more and more interesting from that.
Who would survive in the serial killing world?
Have I ever mentioned that there was also this psychotic pervert who enjoyed kidnapping, murdering little girls after taking photos of them in this story? Yeah, you just heard me, there was this serial killer who was hunting down young girls from the adjacent neighborhoods and these victims were labeled as Girl Number 1, Girl Number 2, Girl Number 3…you got the idea. Honestly, I personally thought this part of the story was merely a distraction to the readers because it was such a tiny detail compared to the ultimate truth beneath the lies.
Anyway, for fear that I might accidentally spoil you, I didn’t want to give too much away. All I could say about this book was that the synopsis was literally what this story was about. No kidding, I couldn’t describe the book better than the synopsis did. Either Kayla or Betsy could survive in this world and they both had to sacrifice something precious to save their lives.
Serious Issues
The main reason I loved this book was because Amanda tackled some serious problems such as drug dealing, human trafficking, teenager kidnapping/raping/murdering and even political corruption, all of which were quite commonly seen in our real world. Somehow this book reminded me of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold since the suspense and unexpected twists in both books were equally intense and nerve-wrecking.
We got to see some dreadful yet realistic sides of the society in The Truth Beneath The Lies and I thought Amanda was trying to bring those issues to our attention in the meanwhile.
The Ending
As a mystery thriller, the mystery part was what attracted readers most. Therefore, I spent approximately 90% of the story trying to sort out what truly happened and who was lying the entire time. Truth be told, it was exhausting having to use that much brainpower while reading but I’ve got to say that the ending was utterly perfect. I couldn’t think of a better ending than the original one because the final revelation of who these characters—whom I thought I was quite familiar with—really were BLEW ME AWAY! Never in a million years would I guess or think of or expect THAT ENDING. It was flawlessly beautiful, imperfectly perfect and heartbreakingly touching.
To sum up, The Truth Beneath The Lies will be a perfect read for those who enjoy reading mystery, thriller, suspense or crime stories and I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to everyone who’d like to try something totally new from what you’ve read because I’m pretty sure this story will blow your mind. The dual POV in the story will mess with your head at times but also give you a better look into what’s going on. In addition, criminal investigation of the serial killer adds spice to the already-heart-wrenching story and makes it even more compelling. So what are you waiting for? The Truth Beneath The Lies will surely be one of your most favorited books of all time!
***Thanks to the publisher and FFBC for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.***
”Carps swim upstream against the current. No matter how hard it gets, they keep going. In legends, they swim up waterfalls and become dragons. They’re strong. They never quit. This”—he points to his chest—“reminds me to keep going.”
First of all, can we all take a moment to appreciate how gorgeous this book cover is? Ever since I read Elle Cosimano’s Holding Smoke, I’ve come to appreciate mystery thriller more, so when I
Meet the Characters
Kayla and Betsy were two teenage girls living in two cities with their own families, friends and classmates. They had their own lives, comfort zones and personal demons. Kayla desperately wanted to live her life by moving to somewhere safe with someone who truly loved her for who she was while Betsy was taking her life one day at a time because she was constantly anxious about the impending death brought to her by that man behind the black monster with an unknown number from Washington.
Then there were a 19-year-old (as he claimed) cutie with a dazzling smile called Jordan as well as a 20-something (I guessed) Adrian, who always shot daggers at Betsy as if she was a plague. Aside from these protagonists, the supporting characters in this book served as a crucial element for the following plot twists and that was what I appreciated most in the book. Marie, Finn, Teddy, Elton, Happy, Drake and even Grace all played an important part of the book and I couldn’t admire the author more for building such a suspenseful yet highly addictive world.
Kayla’s Life
One day, Kayla met Jordan and though it was 100% love at first sight in my opinion, it was quite adorable.
The acorn and the stuff about potential were more than a pick-up line. It was like he saw a little piece of my soul in the oak leaf and responded in kind. That’s never happened to me before.
Jordan wasn’t the flirtatious, cheesy type of guy but I really loved how insistent and protective he was when being around Kayla. He was such a sweetheart that I fell hard for him on the spot as well.
He’s quiet for a long time. I want to ask, but I don’t. I understand some things are too hard to talk about. When anyone has asked me about the night I was five and got taken away for the second time, I shake my head and change the subject.
From the moment they talked, they simply clicked! and both realized that they’d found the one.
I feel like we’re equals now. In this world facing our demons together. It’s too late for me to let go of him now.
Betsy’s Life
As for Betsy, well, she wasn’t that lucky when it comes to love but I’d totally ship Adrian and her if they were a thing somehow. Adrian wasn’t exactly fond of her from the beginning of the story because he sort of suspected her to be someone she wasn’t and…vice versa. Betsy was convinced by Adrian’s odd behavior from time to time that he was someone she should stay away from. She thought he knew about her unspeakable past; thus, she was fully aware (and afraid) of the unescapable consequence if he let that piece of secret slip. What she didn’t expect was the fact that Adrian was someone with an even darker history which would make him pay if she spilt it to someone else. In order to keep both of them alive, they made a deal. And the story just got more and more interesting from that.
I smile. “So here’s the deal, Adrian. I’m going to do whatever I want, talk to whomever I want, and you won’t be able to do a thing about it. Because if you take me down, I’m taking you with me.” His face goes white.
Who would survive in the serial killing world?
Have I ever mentioned that there was also this psychotic pervert who enjoyed kidnapping, murdering little girls after taking photos of them in this story? Yeah, you just heard me, there was this serial killer who was hunting down young girls from the adjacent neighborhoods and these victims were labeled as Girl Number 1, Girl Number 2, Girl Number 3…you got the idea. Honestly, I personally thought this part of the story was merely a distraction to the readers because it was such a tiny detail compared to the ultimate truth beneath the lies.
Anyway, for fear that I might accidentally spoil you, I didn’t want to give too much away. All I could say about this book was that the synopsis was literally what this story was about. No kidding, I couldn’t describe the book better than the synopsis did. Either Kayla or Betsy could survive in this world and they both had to sacrifice something precious to save their lives.
Serious Issues
The main reason I loved this book was because Amanda tackled some serious problems such as drug dealing, human trafficking, teenager kidnapping/raping/murdering and even political corruption, all of which were quite commonly seen in our real world. Somehow this book reminded me of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold since the suspense and unexpected twists in both books were equally intense and nerve-wrecking.
We got to see some dreadful yet realistic sides of the society in The Truth Beneath The Lies and I thought Amanda was trying to bring those issues to our attention in the meanwhile.
A teenage girl nursing a baby she doesn’t know what to do with, her teenage dropout boyfriend—who may or may not still be a drug dealer—and her wreck of a friend who could crumble into a million pieces at any moment.
The Ending
As a mystery thriller, the mystery part was what attracted readers most. Therefore, I spent approximately 90% of the story trying to sort out what truly happened and who was lying the entire time. Truth be told, it was exhausting having to use that much brainpower while reading but I’ve got to say that the ending was utterly perfect. I couldn’t think of a better ending than the original one because the final revelation of who these characters—whom I thought I was quite familiar with—really were BLEW ME AWAY! Never in a million years would I guess or think of or expect THAT ENDING. It was flawlessly beautiful, imperfectly perfect and heartbreakingly touching.
To sum up, The Truth Beneath The Lies will be a perfect read for those who enjoy reading mystery, thriller, suspense or crime stories and I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to everyone who’d like to try something totally new from what you’ve read because I’m pretty sure this story will blow your mind. The dual POV in the story will mess with your head at times but also give you a better look into what’s going on. In addition, criminal investigation of the serial killer adds spice to the already-heart-wrenching story and makes it even more compelling. So what are you waiting for? The Truth Beneath The Lies will surely be one of your most favorited books of all time!
***Thanks to the publisher and FFBC for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.***
October 4, 2017
YA thriller fans have something to look forward to in December 2017! The Truth Beneath the Lies is smart, suspenseful and twisty, with two compelling heroines and an ending that's equal parts surprising and satisfying.
December 18, 2017
YA thriller novels are always a nice surprise. Especially when they're debut novels like these that don't go straight into the stereotypes of teenagers. The author takes us through Kayla and Betsy's lives. The both appear to be outsiders in school and long for a "normal" life and to be accepted.
The beginning of the book drew me in - who is on the phone? Why is Betsy tied down to answering this phone because her life depends on it? Then enter Kayla.. randomly meeting a guy who ends up disrupting her seemingly boring life. As the chapters alternate between them, I wonder how they are going to come together... and this is what kept me turning the pages.
I had a few things figured out towards the last quarter of the book, but the overall reveal was definitely an unexpected twist that I did not see coming. I did struggle through the first parts of the book but it held my interest enough to want to figure out Kayla and Betsy's connection. The first parts were just slightly confusing and a little bit choppy to me. There were some irregularities strewn throughout the book and sometimes I wasn't sure which part was which as there were many similarities in both POVs. However, once the ending came it all fell together pretty nicely. I think you definitely need to have some patience with this book and appreciate the uniqueness in the way it is told.
A solid debut in a genre that's starting to really take off - which brings two genres I love together. YA and Thrillers. YES!
The beginning of the book drew me in - who is on the phone? Why is Betsy tied down to answering this phone because her life depends on it? Then enter Kayla.. randomly meeting a guy who ends up disrupting her seemingly boring life. As the chapters alternate between them, I wonder how they are going to come together... and this is what kept me turning the pages.
I had a few things figured out towards the last quarter of the book, but the overall reveal was definitely an unexpected twist that I did not see coming. I did struggle through the first parts of the book but it held my interest enough to want to figure out Kayla and Betsy's connection. The first parts were just slightly confusing and a little bit choppy to me. There were some irregularities strewn throughout the book and sometimes I wasn't sure which part was which as there were many similarities in both POVs. However, once the ending came it all fell together pretty nicely. I think you definitely need to have some patience with this book and appreciate the uniqueness in the way it is told.
A solid debut in a genre that's starting to really take off - which brings two genres I love together. YA and Thrillers. YES!
December 18, 2017
This book began very scrambled, but I thought we would be given little clues and things to get us to understand how things are how they are, specially with the first girl we encounter, who seems to be in a very wrong place and to have some sort of dangerous stalker... but nope. You keep reading and things keep being comboluted and I got tired because I didn't care for the characters or the story.
January 4, 2021
GRADE: A+
5+ STARS
Oh Amanda Searcy, I think I’ve fallen in love with you. You shredded my heart into a million pieces more than once during THE TRUTH BENEATH THE LIES. I even hated you for a chapter or two. But now that I’m finished, I immediately have to reread this masterpiece. Please drop everything you are doing write your next book very quickly.
Do NOT read too many reviews for THE TRUTH BENEATH THE LIES. You don’t want to be inadvertently spoiled by a clue to the mysteries of Betsy’s and Kayla’s lives. Each has very different reasons for her behavior. If you read the blurb, you know only one will survive. I knew which young woman I favored, if they couldn’t both live.
This isn’t my typical review, where I’d say more about the plot and characters, make social commentary. THE TRUTH BENEATH THE LIES is too good to ruin anything. Excuse me while I go back to weeping and sitting in stunned silence processing this marvel.
5+ STARS
Oh Amanda Searcy, I think I’ve fallen in love with you. You shredded my heart into a million pieces more than once during THE TRUTH BENEATH THE LIES. I even hated you for a chapter or two. But now that I’m finished, I immediately have to reread this masterpiece. Please drop everything you are doing write your next book very quickly.
Do NOT read too many reviews for THE TRUTH BENEATH THE LIES. You don’t want to be inadvertently spoiled by a clue to the mysteries of Betsy’s and Kayla’s lives. Each has very different reasons for her behavior. If you read the blurb, you know only one will survive. I knew which young woman I favored, if they couldn’t both live.
This isn’t my typical review, where I’d say more about the plot and characters, make social commentary. THE TRUTH BENEATH THE LIES is too good to ruin anything. Excuse me while I go back to weeping and sitting in stunned silence processing this marvel.
February 18, 2018
Vivid storytelling, effortlessly told. Fast-paced, emotional, intelligent, gritty and raw. Searcy, I'm now a fan.
November 12, 2017
The Truth Beneath the Lies comes highly recommend by Karen McManus, the author behind one of my FAVORITE books of 2017. Therefore, it's no surprise I eagerly devoured The Truth Beneath the Lies as soon as it arrived on my iPad.
The Result? The Truth Beneath the Lies is adventurous, daring, intense. The dual POV makes this book unputadownable - there wasn't a time in which I wasn't desperately trying to connect the two POVs. While I did figure out the big mystery before the end of the book, there were still some small surprises that managed to rock me to my core.
The Truth Beneath the Lies is a book that is incredibly hard to review, as (1) I don't want to give anything anyway and (2) it's just one of those books you just have to experience for yourself. Therefore, I'm going to list a few of my favorite things about it:
The Dual POV - Sometimes dual POVs work and sometimes they don't. Luckily, it worked very well here. Amanda used it to her advantage, and it's the main reason I couldn't put this one down. Throughout the book all I wanted to do was hug Betsy and Kayla and tell them everything was going to be okay, that things couldn't possibly get any worse. They are two girls who've been beaten down numerous times, and left to put together the surplus of messy pieces.
The Writing - Amanda Searcy certainly knows how to write a good mystery thriller if this book is any indication. She did a fantastic job of building up suspense, keeping the two POVS separate and distinctive, and most importantly, bringing the story together in a way that was surprising and slightly mind-blowing. I'm still wowed by how everything came together so perfectly.
The Mysterious Boys- There's so many mysterious boys in this one, and throughout the story, I couldn't figure out for the life of me which ones were good and which ones were bad. Frustrating but in the best kind of way!
Full of mysterious boys, daring girls, and the ultimate shock-factor, The Truth Beneath the Lies is sure to thrill YA thriller fans, especially those like myself who eagerly devoured One of Us Is Lying at the start of the summer.
Grade: A-
The Result? The Truth Beneath the Lies is adventurous, daring, intense. The dual POV makes this book unputadownable - there wasn't a time in which I wasn't desperately trying to connect the two POVs. While I did figure out the big mystery before the end of the book, there were still some small surprises that managed to rock me to my core.
The Truth Beneath the Lies is a book that is incredibly hard to review, as (1) I don't want to give anything anyway and (2) it's just one of those books you just have to experience for yourself. Therefore, I'm going to list a few of my favorite things about it:
The Dual POV - Sometimes dual POVs work and sometimes they don't. Luckily, it worked very well here. Amanda used it to her advantage, and it's the main reason I couldn't put this one down. Throughout the book all I wanted to do was hug Betsy and Kayla and tell them everything was going to be okay, that things couldn't possibly get any worse. They are two girls who've been beaten down numerous times, and left to put together the surplus of messy pieces.
The Writing - Amanda Searcy certainly knows how to write a good mystery thriller if this book is any indication. She did a fantastic job of building up suspense, keeping the two POVS separate and distinctive, and most importantly, bringing the story together in a way that was surprising and slightly mind-blowing. I'm still wowed by how everything came together so perfectly.
The Mysterious Boys- There's so many mysterious boys in this one, and throughout the story, I couldn't figure out for the life of me which ones were good and which ones were bad. Frustrating but in the best kind of way!
Full of mysterious boys, daring girls, and the ultimate shock-factor, The Truth Beneath the Lies is sure to thrill YA thriller fans, especially those like myself who eagerly devoured One of Us Is Lying at the start of the summer.
Grade: A-
May 3, 2017
Holy wow. I can't remember the last time I read a book that suspenseful. The Truth Beneath the Lies is brilliant. I'm still shaking from all the feels. The writing is so full of raw emotion, and the story stars two incredible female leads. Searcy is a new author not to be missed.
May 8, 2017
Here's a 2017 debut that will keep you guessing until the very end! Using dual POVs, Searcy creates a suspenseful tale featuring Betsy, who's haunted by a troubling past, and Kayla, who's determined not to repeat her mother's mistakes and leave the housing project where she lives behind. What secrets does Betsy harbor? Who is calling on the "monster" phone she must answer at all times? Who's attacking girls near Kayla's apartment? Searcy manages to tie all these threads together in a surprising and satisfying ending. She reveals information slowly enough to build suspense without frustrating readers, creating a unique read that will keep you hooked until the last page!
July 25, 2018
The pace was slow. I almost gave up. With two pov that were not related, it's like I'm reading two different story. Clues were given here and there. But, I'm either too lazy or too stupid to connect the dots.
When I reached the chapter that tied it all, I was impressed. Both Kayla and Betsy were too jumpy for my liking. One thing I hated was some stuff that was left unexplained or was explained with riddles. Like I mentioned, my brain cells cannot connect the dots.
When I reached the chapter that tied it all, I was impressed. Both Kayla and Betsy were too jumpy for my liking. One thing I hated was some stuff that was left unexplained or was explained with riddles. Like I mentioned, my brain cells cannot connect the dots.
March 5, 2018
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I was so soo disappointed with this book. Ever since I knew about it I’ve been wanting to read it, and I don’t know if I would have liked it more if not being on a reading slump, but well… the thing is that I had a lot of issues regarding the story.
I thought it had a really amazing and interesting concept, and since I’m the kind of person who’s always looking for a good mystery/thriller, I decided to give it a try. BUT THE COVER GAVE TOO MUCH AWAY. Like, too much. And that ended up affecting the way I ended up seeing the novel.
The thing is, that I was super confused the whole time I was reading it. And I like mysterious books where you don’t know what’s going on, but with this particular story I think that played on the wrong path, because there was no plot until the last 40 pages, where you started to know what was really going on.
I was so bored during the entire book that I wanted to DNF it, but me being me, I decided to continue just to know what happened. And… it was really predictable. Ever since I started the novel I had a theory and I ended up being right about it, which was a bit disappointing, because I was hoping that I would be at least a bit more surprised.
I feel this could have been a better story if done completely different, because it had an interesting premise, and the plot wasn’t that bad, but the way it was done made it slow and anticlimactic.
I was so soo disappointed with this book. Ever since I knew about it I’ve been wanting to read it, and I don’t know if I would have liked it more if not being on a reading slump, but well… the thing is that I had a lot of issues regarding the story.
I thought it had a really amazing and interesting concept, and since I’m the kind of person who’s always looking for a good mystery/thriller, I decided to give it a try. BUT THE COVER GAVE TOO MUCH AWAY. Like, too much. And that ended up affecting the way I ended up seeing the novel.
The thing is, that I was super confused the whole time I was reading it. And I like mysterious books where you don’t know what’s going on, but with this particular story I think that played on the wrong path, because there was no plot until the last 40 pages, where you started to know what was really going on.
I was so bored during the entire book that I wanted to DNF it, but me being me, I decided to continue just to know what happened. And… it was really predictable. Ever since I started the novel I had a theory and I ended up being right about it, which was a bit disappointing, because I was hoping that I would be at least a bit more surprised.
I feel this could have been a better story if done completely different, because it had an interesting premise, and the plot wasn’t that bad, but the way it was done made it slow and anticlimactic.
June 9, 2017
There are so many twists in this book and I enjoyed each and every one of them. The one consistent thread between Betsy and Kayla's alternating chapters is the constant fear for their lives--you feel the unseen enemy's presence lurking on each page as Searcy teases out the mystery until the very end. This is a book you won't want to put down until all questions are answered. And WOW, are they ever!
June 29, 2016
Aaah! So excited for this book! I was Amanda's mentor for Pitch Wars so of course I love this book! ♡♡♡ Cannot wait!
June 24, 2017
I read this book in a day and a half because I couldn't put it down! Great read!
January 24, 2018
I don't usually read thrillers, they aren't usually my thing but this book was one that I had to read. I had to read it because I know the author. I've worked with her for years. So feel free to take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt but try to believe me when I say that I had high expectations for this book because I know the author. And she met them. Solid writing, characters that you care about (even if you don't like them), and some twists and shocks that keep you reading until the last page, which was a pleasant surprise because a friend accidentally spoiled the big twist for me. Having other, smaller surprises was one of the things that made this book soooo good!
December 5, 2017
Rating: 4.5 stars
Whew! That was a wild ride, and I loved every second of it. Searcy did an incredible job setting the tone for this gritty mystery-thriller starting from the very first page, and she kept me in a constant state of anticipation from that point forward.
The book followed two girls, Kayla and Betsy, who were separated by geography, but shared one common goal - survival.
Kayla was trying to adjust to life back with her finally clean and sober mom. She was working a dead-end job as she kept her eyes on the prize, which was escaping her downtrodden life for one with possibilities. Her POVs sort of broke my heart, because she lost so much, when she was returned to her mom. I admired her keep-your-head-up attitude, but my heart ached for all she could have had.
Betsy was more of a mystery. Taunted by the burner phone, and the person on the other end, who held her life in their hands, she was in a constant state of distress, always looking over her shoulder. My curiosity was piqued, and I was compelled to keep reading in order to get some answers. Betsy's chapters were the ones that really got my heart pumping. Her harried mental state was well written, and her emotions and fear jumped off the page. There were times that her stress was so palpable, I found myself actually biting my nails.
I really enjoyed searching for the clues and assembling the truth behind this story. My first objective was to figure out the connection between Kayla and Betsy, which I did. Then I needed some answers regarding the serial killer, and I was also right there (but it was very close to the end of the book). However, there were several major reveals that left my mouth slightly agape, as I just didn't see those parts coming.
I really loved the ending, because Searcy did so many things right. Most importantly, she gave me answers. I don't think there were any loose ends by the last page of the book. She also gave me hope. Hope for Kayla and Betsy, and that is my one requirement when I read a darker book. I can walk on the dark side, as long as I am given some hope for the future of the characters, and Searcy definitely left me in a positive state.
Overall: A fantastic thriller, where Searcy masterfully wove Kayla and Betsy's lives together seamlessly, and drop us piece after piece of this complex puzzle.
*I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book
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Whew! That was a wild ride, and I loved every second of it. Searcy did an incredible job setting the tone for this gritty mystery-thriller starting from the very first page, and she kept me in a constant state of anticipation from that point forward.
The book followed two girls, Kayla and Betsy, who were separated by geography, but shared one common goal - survival.
Kayla was trying to adjust to life back with her finally clean and sober mom. She was working a dead-end job as she kept her eyes on the prize, which was escaping her downtrodden life for one with possibilities. Her POVs sort of broke my heart, because she lost so much, when she was returned to her mom. I admired her keep-your-head-up attitude, but my heart ached for all she could have had.
Betsy was more of a mystery. Taunted by the burner phone, and the person on the other end, who held her life in their hands, she was in a constant state of distress, always looking over her shoulder. My curiosity was piqued, and I was compelled to keep reading in order to get some answers. Betsy's chapters were the ones that really got my heart pumping. Her harried mental state was well written, and her emotions and fear jumped off the page. There were times that her stress was so palpable, I found myself actually biting my nails.
I really enjoyed searching for the clues and assembling the truth behind this story. My first objective was to figure out the connection between Kayla and Betsy, which I did. Then I needed some answers regarding the serial killer, and I was also right there (but it was very close to the end of the book). However, there were several major reveals that left my mouth slightly agape, as I just didn't see those parts coming.
I really loved the ending, because Searcy did so many things right. Most importantly, she gave me answers. I don't think there were any loose ends by the last page of the book. She also gave me hope. Hope for Kayla and Betsy, and that is my one requirement when I read a darker book. I can walk on the dark side, as long as I am given some hope for the future of the characters, and Searcy definitely left me in a positive state.
Overall: A fantastic thriller, where Searcy masterfully wove Kayla and Betsy's lives together seamlessly, and drop us piece after piece of this complex puzzle.
*I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
February 6, 2025
It was a little confusing at the beginning of the book, but then got good! Wish there was a bit more of a dive into some of the characters' backstories.
January 15, 2018
Ahh this was so good, it was not at all what I was expecting, which I think made me like it even more :)
January 3, 2021
This review and more can be found at:
Reading Under the Covers
My thoughts and feelings about this book are a bit all over the place.
When I first started reading this book I was utterly confused about what was going on. At points I found myself wanting to hit my head against a wall. I just spent most of my time going back and forth trying to figure out what I was forgetting.
The book is split into two different points of views. One one hand we have Kayla and the other we have Betsy. Two completely different people but their world collide.
Betsy is getting calls on a burner phone from a mysterious caller and Kayla just wants a different life, one she fights to keep seperate from a guy.
Then fate brings the girls together, or well a serial killer.
Yes you read that right a serial killer.
This book touched on a bunch of subjects that can be seriously uncomfortable for people including myself. I don’t normally read dark young adult books but this one was a little different.
This book didn’t shy away from the dark side of what life can be like and I liked that. It also gave us a little bit of romance.
What I didn’t like was how much brain power I had to use just to keep up with the story and how much I had to figure out. Like I have already said I was confused.
Overall, I liked the fact the book didn’t shy away from tough subjects but I was just so incredibly confused.
Reading Under the Covers
My thoughts and feelings about this book are a bit all over the place.
When I first started reading this book I was utterly confused about what was going on. At points I found myself wanting to hit my head against a wall. I just spent most of my time going back and forth trying to figure out what I was forgetting.
The book is split into two different points of views. One one hand we have Kayla and the other we have Betsy. Two completely different people but their world collide.
Betsy is getting calls on a burner phone from a mysterious caller and Kayla just wants a different life, one she fights to keep seperate from a guy.
Then fate brings the girls together, or well a serial killer.
Yes you read that right a serial killer.
This book touched on a bunch of subjects that can be seriously uncomfortable for people including myself. I don’t normally read dark young adult books but this one was a little different.
This book didn’t shy away from the dark side of what life can be like and I liked that. It also gave us a little bit of romance.
What I didn’t like was how much brain power I had to use just to keep up with the story and how much I had to figure out. Like I have already said I was confused.
Overall, I liked the fact the book didn’t shy away from tough subjects but I was just so incredibly confused.
Read
November 26, 2017OMG what a great ending! The kind that makes you want to go right back to the beginning and reread with fresh eyes. I think what made it so satisfying was not just its twisty-turny surprises but how well the book hung on to and resolved a quiet core of trauma and endurance. The gritty day to day detail, which is absorbing in itself, builds up to an awesome payoff.
November 12, 2017
This was a really crazy book full or twists that I can't give away. So my review will be a bit shorter than normal.
The chapters alternate between two girls, Betsy and Kayla.
Kayla lives with her mom that used to be a drug addict. Kayla was in foster care for awhile, but now they live in public housing on state aid. Kayla is 16 and works at a grocery store trying to get by. She still uses her old foster address to go to a better school. She's got rich friends and is on the dance team. But she's not happy at home and just wants to get to college and have a good life. Then she meets a boy, Jordan, and everything changes. Jordan seems different than any boy she's met before and she starts to fall in love with him. During this time, girls in Kayla's neighborhood have been getting attacked and killed. Kayla starts to believe that it's Jordan's friend that is behind it.
Betsy has recently moved to a small town in Texas by the border. She lives with her mom. Something bad happened to Betsy before and she is living there as someone else. She has a cell phone that she needs to answer to or else her life is threatened. We don't find out what happend for quite awhile, just that a child died because of her. Betsy is trying to be happy, but she's living terrified and paranoid. She does make one real friend, a pregnant teen named Happy. I adored her so much and she added a lot to the story. Betsy is really just trying to stay alive and not get anyone around her killed.
We start to understand the back stories a bit more as the book goes on. Things start getting a bit crazy, but I can't tell you anything more than that. I enjoyed this book and the pacing kept me reading and I didn't want to put it down.
I will have my full review on my blog early December for a blog tour.
The chapters alternate between two girls, Betsy and Kayla.
Kayla lives with her mom that used to be a drug addict. Kayla was in foster care for awhile, but now they live in public housing on state aid. Kayla is 16 and works at a grocery store trying to get by. She still uses her old foster address to go to a better school. She's got rich friends and is on the dance team. But she's not happy at home and just wants to get to college and have a good life. Then she meets a boy, Jordan, and everything changes. Jordan seems different than any boy she's met before and she starts to fall in love with him. During this time, girls in Kayla's neighborhood have been getting attacked and killed. Kayla starts to believe that it's Jordan's friend that is behind it.
Betsy has recently moved to a small town in Texas by the border. She lives with her mom. Something bad happened to Betsy before and she is living there as someone else. She has a cell phone that she needs to answer to or else her life is threatened. We don't find out what happend for quite awhile, just that a child died because of her. Betsy is trying to be happy, but she's living terrified and paranoid. She does make one real friend, a pregnant teen named Happy. I adored her so much and she added a lot to the story. Betsy is really just trying to stay alive and not get anyone around her killed.
We start to understand the back stories a bit more as the book goes on. Things start getting a bit crazy, but I can't tell you anything more than that. I enjoyed this book and the pacing kept me reading and I didn't want to put it down.
I will have my full review on my blog early December for a blog tour.
December 5, 2017
'The Truth Beneath the Lies' is probably one of the best YA thriller/mysteries I've read in a long time. I'm a huge fan of the genre, so I've read quite a few books and it takes a lot to surprise me anymore. This novel was so full of twists and turns that I honestly didn't see any of them coming - at least not until the biggest was revealed. I don't do spoilers in my reviews, which makes this one really hard to describe without giving anything away. I really liked everything about this book and I'm so glad I picked it up.
The story is told in alternating points of view from our two main characters - Kayla and Betsy. The book is told from the first person perspective of each girl, which I absolutely loved. I think it was the perfect fit for the story and really gets the reader invested into the mystery surrounding these girls. I liked getting to know both Kayla and Betsy on a personal level. Since it's told from the first person, the reader gets a peek inside their minds. We get to learn their histories, fears, hopes, memories, and everything in between. That's one of the main reasons I love the first person writing style. Both of the girls were fascinating and didn't seem to have much in common, but (obviously) they eventually come together and things go crazy. I honestly can't say anything else without revealing details about the plot that the reader needs to experience themselves. This was a fantastic book in every way - the characters were realistic and easy to connect with, the plot was intriguing and had me hooked from the start, and the writing was wonderful. I very highly recommend this one for fans of YA, mysteries, thrillers, contemporary, and suspense.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told in alternating points of view from our two main characters - Kayla and Betsy. The book is told from the first person perspective of each girl, which I absolutely loved. I think it was the perfect fit for the story and really gets the reader invested into the mystery surrounding these girls. I liked getting to know both Kayla and Betsy on a personal level. Since it's told from the first person, the reader gets a peek inside their minds. We get to learn their histories, fears, hopes, memories, and everything in between. That's one of the main reasons I love the first person writing style. Both of the girls were fascinating and didn't seem to have much in common, but (obviously) they eventually come together and things go crazy. I honestly can't say anything else without revealing details about the plot that the reader needs to experience themselves. This was a fantastic book in every way - the characters were realistic and easy to connect with, the plot was intriguing and had me hooked from the start, and the writing was wonderful. I very highly recommend this one for fans of YA, mysteries, thrillers, contemporary, and suspense.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2018
I received this novel from PageHabit's YA Monthly subscription. Though this is a book I most likely would not have picked up on my own I am very glad that it found it's way into my library. A beautiful novel encompassing a coming-of-age, and life's consequences this novel took me by surprise!
Pros and Cons:
In a story, people are mostly driven forward by the plot, however, if a book has flat characters it isn't uncommon that it's dumped into the DNF pile. Though the characters in this book were NOT flat, I did struggle a lot with Betsy and Kayla. I'll save that explanation for later in the review, though. Mark these two as both a pro and a con on your checklist.
One thing I noticed very early on in the novel was that Searcy really liked pointing out the dental hygiene of characters. Granted, Betsy and Kayla lived in a rough part of town full of druggies, and bad oral hygiene is usually a good sign of an addict, but it was still funny how often it came up in such a short time span. Her writing style left me highly confused initially, but I later realized this was done intentionally, and after about 100 pages you suddenly understand why.
I think one of my favorite parts of this book was that Searcy had me needing to know the truth's behind these characters. Even in moments when I was irritated with Betsy and Kayla, where I hated them both equally, I pushed forward because I had an itch that needed to be scratched, questions that needed to be answered. I also greatly valued her ability to surprise me (as that's a rare experience for me, especially in YA.) Searcy wrote a mystery novel with no potholes, that tied together more beautifully in the end than I could have ever hoped for.
Characters:
Betsy Hopewell and Kayla Asher are our protagonists. One of the things that both of these girls share is that they were essentially raised in foster care due to a drug-addicted mother. They also share the same attitude and mindset that irritated me for most of the book. I am a huge supporter of women and their independence, however, with these girl's I struggled with the constant "woe-is-me" response to them receiving help from loved ones. I understand that many people do not know how to receive gifts, and even commonly feel indebted to the gift giver. These girls, however, were just incapable of accepting a helping hand from anyone really, and eventually, this yearning for independence becomes an excuse for them to lash out at loved ones.
Even early on in the plot, Betsy admits to being a "selfish bitch." When I initially read this I believed it was a character development tactic to show insecurity. Though in a way it was, I ultimately ended up agreeing with Betsy that she was a "selfish bitch." Both Kayla and Betsy show little to no care for those that they hurt when they won't accept help from those who can offer it. Everyone is depicted to have an ulterior motive and some of the nicest people in the plot are initially painted as wicked. I am very grateful that this eventually shifts, but considering this attitude remained constant for most of the book, it was highly irritating.
We also have Betsy and Kayla's mom, who is "fragile," considering she's been clean for three years. Their mother is doing the best she can and in many ways is a wonderful mother - especially in the sense that she tries to reach her daughter(s) relentlessly, no matter how often she's pushed away. I do wish that she had been portrayed a bit stronger throughout the book seeing how she'd somewhat conquered drug addiction. That's not something that a "fragile" person is able to do and still remain fragile the entire time.
I think throughout the entire list of characters my favorite was Happy. Of course, emanating her name, she initially irked me, but the more we got to know her the more genuine I realized she was. She has her own story and background - her own emotions and baggage - but she's beautiful and innocent. She wears her happiness like an armor and I found it admirable, to say the least.
Conclusion:
I rated this novel PG-13 for the very few curse words included, and some of the content (as it discusses PTSD-like flashbacks of the trauma and death the girls have seen.) A coming-of-age mystery novel focused on the battle of fighting one's self, and society; death, and overcoming the odds. In many aspects, this novel was a race against the clock and I thankfully never found myself yawning using the time as an excuse to put the book down. I was initially planning to rate this novel three stars as I struggled to enjoy the plot due to my anger towards the protagonists, however, as I gathered more information, and I stumbled across plot twists the book quickly shot itself up to five stars. If you're able to withstand an initially ungrateful and whiny lead I believe this novel will be an easy and pleasurable read for you.
Pros and Cons:
In a story, people are mostly driven forward by the plot, however, if a book has flat characters it isn't uncommon that it's dumped into the DNF pile. Though the characters in this book were NOT flat, I did struggle a lot with Betsy and Kayla. I'll save that explanation for later in the review, though. Mark these two as both a pro and a con on your checklist.
One thing I noticed very early on in the novel was that Searcy really liked pointing out the dental hygiene of characters. Granted, Betsy and Kayla lived in a rough part of town full of druggies, and bad oral hygiene is usually a good sign of an addict, but it was still funny how often it came up in such a short time span. Her writing style left me highly confused initially, but I later realized this was done intentionally, and after about 100 pages you suddenly understand why.
I think one of my favorite parts of this book was that Searcy had me needing to know the truth's behind these characters. Even in moments when I was irritated with Betsy and Kayla, where I hated them both equally, I pushed forward because I had an itch that needed to be scratched, questions that needed to be answered. I also greatly valued her ability to surprise me (as that's a rare experience for me, especially in YA.) Searcy wrote a mystery novel with no potholes, that tied together more beautifully in the end than I could have ever hoped for.
Characters:
Betsy Hopewell and Kayla Asher are our protagonists. One of the things that both of these girls share is that they were essentially raised in foster care due to a drug-addicted mother. They also share the same attitude and mindset that irritated me for most of the book. I am a huge supporter of women and their independence, however, with these girl's I struggled with the constant "woe-is-me" response to them receiving help from loved ones. I understand that many people do not know how to receive gifts, and even commonly feel indebted to the gift giver. These girls, however, were just incapable of accepting a helping hand from anyone really, and eventually, this yearning for independence becomes an excuse for them to lash out at loved ones.
Even early on in the plot, Betsy admits to being a "selfish bitch." When I initially read this I believed it was a character development tactic to show insecurity. Though in a way it was, I ultimately ended up agreeing with Betsy that she was a "selfish bitch." Both Kayla and Betsy show little to no care for those that they hurt when they won't accept help from those who can offer it. Everyone is depicted to have an ulterior motive and some of the nicest people in the plot are initially painted as wicked. I am very grateful that this eventually shifts, but considering this attitude remained constant for most of the book, it was highly irritating.
We also have Betsy and Kayla's mom, who is "fragile," considering she's been clean for three years. Their mother is doing the best she can and in many ways is a wonderful mother - especially in the sense that she tries to reach her daughter(s) relentlessly, no matter how often she's pushed away. I do wish that she had been portrayed a bit stronger throughout the book seeing how she'd somewhat conquered drug addiction. That's not something that a "fragile" person is able to do and still remain fragile the entire time.
I think throughout the entire list of characters my favorite was Happy. Of course, emanating her name, she initially irked me, but the more we got to know her the more genuine I realized she was. She has her own story and background - her own emotions and baggage - but she's beautiful and innocent. She wears her happiness like an armor and I found it admirable, to say the least.
Conclusion:
I rated this novel PG-13 for the very few curse words included, and some of the content (as it discusses PTSD-like flashbacks of the trauma and death the girls have seen.) A coming-of-age mystery novel focused on the battle of fighting one's self, and society; death, and overcoming the odds. In many aspects, this novel was a race against the clock and I thankfully never found myself yawning using the time as an excuse to put the book down. I was initially planning to rate this novel three stars as I struggled to enjoy the plot due to my anger towards the protagonists, however, as I gathered more information, and I stumbled across plot twists the book quickly shot itself up to five stars. If you're able to withstand an initially ungrateful and whiny lead I believe this novel will be an easy and pleasurable read for you.
June 21, 2022
Ik ben geen fan van meerdere perspectieven, al was het in dit boek interessant verwerkt. Het was messy, saai van tijd tot tijd en verwarrend, maar ik moet wel zeggen dat het wat anders was dan ik kende dus dat was zeker een positieve twist!
December 28, 2017
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: YA Thriller
Pages:336
Amazon
Author
I was provided an arc of this book by KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own.
Flight.
All Kayla Asher wants to do is run. Run from the government housing complex she calls home. Run from her unstable mother. Run from a desperate job at No Limits Food. Run to a better, cleaner, safer life. Every day is one day closer to leaving.
Fight.
All Betsy Hopewell wants to do is survive. Survive the burner phone hidden under her bed. Survive her new rules. Survive a new school with new classmates. Survive being watched. Every minute grants her another moment of life.
When fate brings Kayla and Betsy together, only one girl will survive. - Amazon.com
If you ever wanted a YA book that didn't have typical dimwitted female characters then this is the book for you. I felt the characters of this book were phenominally well written and the writing style as a whole was amazing. I also thought that the pacing was very well done. Thrillers have been my hit or miss spot this year and for the most part this book really did the right things for me as a reader.
But there were a couple of things that I had issues with that definitely lowered the rating for me. The first part of this book was horribly confusing. The first part of the book really did make me want to just put it down and walk away, but I persisted. The first part is also kind of choppy as well, but the writing and the plot do get better as you progress throughout the book. I do think that the book could have been structured better and that the tension could have been built up better in the beginning of the book.
Verdict: I think this book was a good thriller, but the beginning made me question how much I really wanted to read this book. If you like thrillers this is a definite must read, but if you're a fairweather reader then this may not be for you.
Genre: YA Thriller
Pages:336
Amazon
Author
I was provided an arc of this book by KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own.
Flight.
All Kayla Asher wants to do is run. Run from the government housing complex she calls home. Run from her unstable mother. Run from a desperate job at No Limits Food. Run to a better, cleaner, safer life. Every day is one day closer to leaving.
Fight.
All Betsy Hopewell wants to do is survive. Survive the burner phone hidden under her bed. Survive her new rules. Survive a new school with new classmates. Survive being watched. Every minute grants her another moment of life.
When fate brings Kayla and Betsy together, only one girl will survive. - Amazon.com
If you ever wanted a YA book that didn't have typical dimwitted female characters then this is the book for you. I felt the characters of this book were phenominally well written and the writing style as a whole was amazing. I also thought that the pacing was very well done. Thrillers have been my hit or miss spot this year and for the most part this book really did the right things for me as a reader.
But there were a couple of things that I had issues with that definitely lowered the rating for me. The first part of this book was horribly confusing. The first part of the book really did make me want to just put it down and walk away, but I persisted. The first part is also kind of choppy as well, but the writing and the plot do get better as you progress throughout the book. I do think that the book could have been structured better and that the tension could have been built up better in the beginning of the book.
Verdict: I think this book was a good thriller, but the beginning made me question how much I really wanted to read this book. If you like thrillers this is a definite must read, but if you're a fairweather reader then this may not be for you.
September 5, 2018
The blurb doesn't tell you much, or anything. A quick, easy read. Not mind blowing. I kind of had it figured out. I was not in suspense. I feel very ho-hum, blah about this one. It was hard to tell the characters apart because they had the same tone, and I kept confusing their details which annoyed me the entire time, well, until the end. This book agitated me. Once again, a book with so much potential flawed by lackluster execution.
December 15, 2017
I received this ARC from #kidlitexchange to read in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟The Truth Beneath The Lies by Amanda Searcy. 16 year old Betsy has to start her mysterious life over and begin a new school with new friends. She is distant at first her past haunts her and she is scared to make friends but her heart warms in small San Justo, Texas and she quickly becomes one of the family in a local cafe. Kayla, a 16 year old girl falls head over heels in love with 19 year old Jordan and her life becomes a complicated mess of choices. When the two girls cross paths one only choice can be made to who walks away alive. A gripping, on the edge of your seat, pageturner that you won't be able to put down. 📚📚📚📚📚📚A YA book for mature readers due to some content and not for the faint of heart to be released on December 12, 2017. Review also posted on Instagram @jasonnstacie, Library Thing, Go Read, Amazon, and my blog at readsbystacie.com.
January 2, 2018
I read this book really quickly because I found that I really wanted to know what would happen next. The sense of urgency was kind of rushed and added to the confusion of the first few chapters, but as both stories progressed, it helped to play towards the thrilling and dark nature of the story. Overall, I really liked the book and what it had to offer in terms of characters and how they were developed along with the worlds they were in/those placed around them.
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