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Lies that Bind Us
From a prize-winning and New York Times bestselling author comes a chilling novel of deception under the sun…
Jan needs this. She’s flying to Crete to reunite with friends she met there five years ago and relive an idyllic vacation. Basking in the warmth of the sun, the azure sea, and the aura of antiquity, she can once again pretend—for a little while—that she belongs. Her ex-boyfriend Marcus will be among them, but even he doesn’t know the secrets she keeps hidden behind a veil of lies. None of them really know her, and that’s only part of the problem.
Then again, how well does she know them?
When Jan awakens in utter darkness, chained to a wall, a manacle around her wrist, her echoing screams only give her a sense of how small her cell is. As she desperately tries to reconstruct what happened and determine who is holding her prisoner, dread covers despair like a hand clamped over her mouth. Because, like the Minotaur in the labyrinth in Greek myth, her captor will be coming back for her, and all the lies will catch up to her…
Jan needs this. She’s flying to Crete to reunite with friends she met there five years ago and relive an idyllic vacation. Basking in the warmth of the sun, the azure sea, and the aura of antiquity, she can once again pretend—for a little while—that she belongs. Her ex-boyfriend Marcus will be among them, but even he doesn’t know the secrets she keeps hidden behind a veil of lies. None of them really know her, and that’s only part of the problem.
Then again, how well does she know them?
When Jan awakens in utter darkness, chained to a wall, a manacle around her wrist, her echoing screams only give her a sense of how small her cell is. As she desperately tries to reconstruct what happened and determine who is holding her prisoner, dread covers despair like a hand clamped over her mouth. Because, like the Minotaur in the labyrinth in Greek myth, her captor will be coming back for her, and all the lies will catch up to her…
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,064 reviews
May 18, 2019
A riveting thriller that sees our protagonist, Jan, travelling to Crete for a holiday reunion with friends she met there 5 years before. After a few days of catching up, including some heavy drinking and partying, Jan finds herself waking up in a dark cell, chained to a wall, with no idea why. The novel is told in alternate chapters, going between Jan's imprisonment and the events of the reunion holiday leading up to it. Which of her glamorous friends is behind her incarceration? What did she see or do 5 years ago to be such a threat? And even more ominously, what part of Jan's flawed character is hiding secrets of her own, even from herself?
Even though I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable I found myself racing through this book, trying to figure out what had gone wrong when a fun filled holiday turns sinister. It seems everyone is hiding something, and though I did figure out some minor details, the big picture was slowly revealed, to it's surprising conclusion. Well worth the read.
Even though I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable I found myself racing through this book, trying to figure out what had gone wrong when a fun filled holiday turns sinister. It seems everyone is hiding something, and though I did figure out some minor details, the big picture was slowly revealed, to it's surprising conclusion. Well worth the read.
August 29, 2018
3.5 Stars— “Lies That Bind Us” by Andrew Hart was a Kindle First selection that I put off reading because the premise of the book sounded weak. Despite the fact that “Lies” starts off ridiculously slow, my opinion of the book changed about halfway in as I found myself fully consumed by the very well drawn characters whose phony outer shells come off to reveal damaged, interesting people. The book is told from the perspective of Jan (another unreliable, compulsive liar narrator) who goes to Greece for a reunion of sorts with 4 friends and an ex-boyfriend who all met while she and her ex were on vacation there 5 years prior. The awkwardness and tension begin when Jan arrives and finds out one of the other characters invites her female friend to come along as a potential romantic match for Jan’s ex-boyfriend. The plot and mystery which the book is centered around is weak at best but the author’s ability to draw such distinctive characters who speak with such different voices drew me in. One of the other friends, Brad, is such an obnoxious, know-it-all, he will remind you of the type of person that you try to avoid but get stuck listening too at a dinner party for 3 hours straight. The book comes to a neat conclusion, and I admit as weak as I thought the book was at times, I could not put it down for the final 80 pages. I definitely liked it better than a lot of reviewers and would definitely give the author another try in the future.
September 15, 2025
“the moment became rare and precious because you know in your lying heart that nothing this good can last; you want to preserve it in crystal forever, a few perfect minutes in time that you can hold and step back into whenever you want.”
― Andrew Hart, Lies That Bind Us
Lies that bind us was an interesting read. I, like many other reviewers of this book, had a tough time with how to rate it. On one hand, I adored the writing and will seek out more from this writer. I liked the main character, Jan, so much. I mean I know she did some awful things but she was so much fun and had a sharp wit that I adored. I think the author did a great job making the characters human and real and keeping the reader's attention.
The Mythological elements were interesting. I love Mythology but for some reason when I read mysteries that mix Mythology with a mystery, I do not always like it. I am not sure why that is as I SHOULD like it..but often I don't.
I had two things I did not really like about this book. First off, I could not figure out how these people had ever been friends. They seemed to loath each other from the beginning. I would have liked more flashbacks of how they once were. I mean I could not figure it out. All they did was insult each other.
Second..the ending. Without giving spoilers, it had no basis in reality and turned into a sort of slasher horror movie. I do not like it when these types of books go that route. It is cheesy to me and I really struggled with it. I lost interest as the book went on, rather than gaining.
But the character s were so real and that is the book's biggest strength. I knew a girl once who was so much like Gretchen I briefly wondered if the writer knew her too! And Brad and Simon..who
HASN'T known pompous creeps like them before? I tell you. I did feel like I knew all of them and had no idea who the bad ones were. That is good.
And I adored Marcus(and had a bit of a crush on him). He knew so much, was so intellectual, and I just thought he was written so well. Jan, like I said, had done some bad things but it was impossible not to like her and her wit was great.
So at the end of the day..a 3.5 it is. I did not love it and was let down by the direction it took but it was still an interesting read for the reasons mentioned above.
― Andrew Hart, Lies That Bind Us
Lies that bind us was an interesting read. I, like many other reviewers of this book, had a tough time with how to rate it. On one hand, I adored the writing and will seek out more from this writer. I liked the main character, Jan, so much. I mean I know she did some awful things but she was so much fun and had a sharp wit that I adored. I think the author did a great job making the characters human and real and keeping the reader's attention.
The Mythological elements were interesting. I love Mythology but for some reason when I read mysteries that mix Mythology with a mystery, I do not always like it. I am not sure why that is as I SHOULD like it..but often I don't.
I had two things I did not really like about this book. First off, I could not figure out how these people had ever been friends. They seemed to loath each other from the beginning. I would have liked more flashbacks of how they once were. I mean I could not figure it out. All they did was insult each other.
Second..the ending. Without giving spoilers, it had no basis in reality and turned into a sort of slasher horror movie. I do not like it when these types of books go that route. It is cheesy to me and I really struggled with it. I lost interest as the book went on, rather than gaining.
But the character s were so real and that is the book's biggest strength. I knew a girl once who was so much like Gretchen I briefly wondered if the writer knew her too! And Brad and Simon..who
HASN'T known pompous creeps like them before? I tell you. I did feel like I knew all of them and had no idea who the bad ones were. That is good.
And I adored Marcus(and had a bit of a crush on him). He knew so much, was so intellectual, and I just thought he was written so well. Jan, like I said, had done some bad things but it was impossible not to like her and her wit was great.
So at the end of the day..a 3.5 it is. I did not love it and was let down by the direction it took but it was still an interesting read for the reasons mentioned above.
May 11, 2018
Tedious, superfluous, terrible characters
Really couldn’t stand this book. Disliked even the main character, in addition to all the characters. The story was just so overdone, the ending completely ridiculous and unbelievable. I wanted to put it down a hundred times and I should have.
Really couldn’t stand this book. Disliked even the main character, in addition to all the characters. The story was just so overdone, the ending completely ridiculous and unbelievable. I wanted to put it down a hundred times and I should have.
May 1, 2018
Lies
My Kindle First Read choice for May- it is listed as Suspense, but I think it's more of a psychological thriller. The story took a totally different turn than I was expecting, very good read- entertaining.
My Kindle First Read choice for May- it is listed as Suspense, but I think it's more of a psychological thriller. The story took a totally different turn than I was expecting, very good read- entertaining.
June 8, 2018
Well, I gave it a day or so before reviewing and it still isn't much easier. I tortured myself over whether it was a 3 or 4 star book, in the end I rounded down to 3 stars, but it was marginal.
The plot is good and fairly novel. There are twists, but to be honest I could see the outline of the climax and pretty much guessed the culprits from a little over halfway through. Some of the lesser twists were a bit of a surprise, but that predictability (for me at least - maybe I've read too many mysteries and psychological thrillers) is the main reason I rounded down instead of up.
The characters....hmmm. I actually like the main protagonist, Jan. Perversely, I like the fact that she is inherently unlikable, a compulsive liar who sabotages her own life and those around her with her fabrications. I like her despite that because of her self awareness, the fact she hates herself for it and wishes she were different. I feel the other characters, though, are a little thin; not exactly two dimensional, but not really fleshed out enough to form an attachment, even Marcus, the closest Jan has to a co-conspirator. Some of the characters are decidedly unlikable, but that's how the author wants them to be. Maybe a little overdone in some cases, but that's okay, I get it. Gretchen, I could do without and really don't see the point in her. I just found her irritating from start to finish.
Some reviewers have complained that the book verges on a mythology history lesson at times, but I don't mind that, and while not integral to the plot, it does at least give some character to the setting and plays into the psychological mindset of some characters in their ordeals.
Overall, I'm probably making this a 3.49 star book. So nearly 4 stars but not quite. I did enjoy it, and I would read more from the author for sure. I could see it being a great holiday read, sitting by the pool (though maybe not in Crete!). Just a couple of minor frailties keeping it fractionally south of the border for me.
The plot is good and fairly novel. There are twists, but to be honest I could see the outline of the climax and pretty much guessed the culprits from a little over halfway through. Some of the lesser twists were a bit of a surprise, but that predictability (for me at least - maybe I've read too many mysteries and psychological thrillers) is the main reason I rounded down instead of up.
The characters....hmmm. I actually like the main protagonist, Jan. Perversely, I like the fact that she is inherently unlikable, a compulsive liar who sabotages her own life and those around her with her fabrications. I like her despite that because of her self awareness, the fact she hates herself for it and wishes she were different. I feel the other characters, though, are a little thin; not exactly two dimensional, but not really fleshed out enough to form an attachment, even Marcus, the closest Jan has to a co-conspirator. Some of the characters are decidedly unlikable, but that's how the author wants them to be. Maybe a little overdone in some cases, but that's okay, I get it. Gretchen, I could do without and really don't see the point in her. I just found her irritating from start to finish.
Some reviewers have complained that the book verges on a mythology history lesson at times, but I don't mind that, and while not integral to the plot, it does at least give some character to the setting and plays into the psychological mindset of some characters in their ordeals.
Overall, I'm probably making this a 3.49 star book. So nearly 4 stars but not quite. I did enjoy it, and I would read more from the author for sure. I could see it being a great holiday read, sitting by the pool (though maybe not in Crete!). Just a couple of minor frailties keeping it fractionally south of the border for me.
June 14, 2018
I'm surprised this book is ranking so low - this is one of my favorite reads of 2018! (And I'm normally a harsh critic).
This is a story about lying.
The main character lies to both us the readers and the other characters, and yet, she does share with us her true feelings that she hides from the other characters, so we sort of trust her and yet we don't. I love characters that are multi-dimensional and have obvious flaws.
I love the idea that this book references a lot of Greek mythology, which you can argue, are also lies. Stories that aren't real, but are meant to teach us something about ourselves.
The constant side stories of mythology (hiding Baby Zeus from his father) and World War II (The Allies protecting the city of Alexandria) emphasize the use of misdirection for a greater purpose. Again, more lying, but interesting moral dilemma: Is it wrong? In this context, no.
The dynamic of the group, the six "good friends" is also riddled with quirks and words and actions that are inconsistent with true friendships. Again, more lying to each other about what they actually think of one another.
All of these things are really cool ways to integrate the theme but make it relevant to the reader.
I also thought he tells the story of Jan's imprisonment chillingly well. Like I feel other authors glance over this - the girl wakes up, she's chained up in a basement and she has an escape plan after 2 paragraphs. Jan methodically goes over different scenarios and tries different things to find freedom - it made me there in the room doing those same things.
I am currently very cranky at work because I stayed up far too late last night finishing the book. Totally worth it.
This is a story about lying.
The main character lies to both us the readers and the other characters, and yet, she does share with us her true feelings that she hides from the other characters, so we sort of trust her and yet we don't. I love characters that are multi-dimensional and have obvious flaws.
I love the idea that this book references a lot of Greek mythology, which you can argue, are also lies. Stories that aren't real, but are meant to teach us something about ourselves.
The constant side stories of mythology (hiding Baby Zeus from his father) and World War II (The Allies protecting the city of Alexandria) emphasize the use of misdirection for a greater purpose. Again, more lying, but interesting moral dilemma: Is it wrong? In this context, no.
The dynamic of the group, the six "good friends" is also riddled with quirks and words and actions that are inconsistent with true friendships. Again, more lying to each other about what they actually think of one another.
All of these things are really cool ways to integrate the theme but make it relevant to the reader.
I also thought he tells the story of Jan's imprisonment chillingly well. Like I feel other authors glance over this - the girl wakes up, she's chained up in a basement and she has an escape plan after 2 paragraphs. Jan methodically goes over different scenarios and tries different things to find freedom - it made me there in the room doing those same things.
I am currently very cranky at work because I stayed up far too late last night finishing the book. Totally worth it.
May 7, 2018
This book is one of Amazon First’s selection which I chose without any expectation as these offerings vary hugely. I enjoyed most of this and initially gave it 4 stars as I liked the setting of Crete and found the use of Greek mythology especially the Minotaur very interesting. I could picture the characters although most were not very likeable. The reason I downgraded the book to 3 stars was on reflection I felt the ending was too far fetched and I felt it spoilt what was basically a good story.
August 12, 2018
3.5 stars
What a strange trip - I stopped and started this one many times but kept picking it back up. I had to figure out what was going on in this seeming innocuous story that ended up being suspenseful and somewhat psychological. Sometimes it felt like the author had just taken a class on Greek mythology (Crete, Minotaur) and wanted to incorporate it into a book - fiction, mystery, suspense but at times wasn't sure how to go about it - or perhaps it was me as the reader not catching on early enough. It was only toward the end that I truly saw where the story was heading.
Jan is the protagonist and a pathological liar. Her ex, Marcus, is a professor. While on a vacation in Greece, they "by chance" meet a idly rich and seemingly golden couple (Simon and Melissa). Simon and Melissa are vacationing with another couple (Brad and Kristen). Melissa invites Jan and Marcus to dinner at a popular restaurant because there are only reservations for 6. Jan and Marcus make up the difference. The holiday eventually leads to a split between Marcus and Jan by the time they return from their holiday. A few years later, Simon and Melissa invite Jan on an all expense paid vacation to relive their first holiday. Enter Marcus, Brad, Kristen and Gretchen.
This did not seem like a mystery/suspense/psychological thriller for much of the book. I kept wondering where this was going. But all the information is there to lead up to a very weird, strange, harrowing, and revealing ending of the house party from a nightmare. This is not horror - just something I did not really expect. In many ways, it reminded me of some other mysteries I've watched and read - except without a detective to put it all together for you. Mostly, it is Jan's memories, current view and thoughts and actions that reveal all.
I'm glad I finished this one. It will forever be fuel to my OCD to finish books even when I don't want to. So, I'm not sure if this is a curse or a blessing.
What a strange trip - I stopped and started this one many times but kept picking it back up. I had to figure out what was going on in this seeming innocuous story that ended up being suspenseful and somewhat psychological. Sometimes it felt like the author had just taken a class on Greek mythology (Crete, Minotaur) and wanted to incorporate it into a book - fiction, mystery, suspense but at times wasn't sure how to go about it - or perhaps it was me as the reader not catching on early enough. It was only toward the end that I truly saw where the story was heading.
Jan is the protagonist and a pathological liar. Her ex, Marcus, is a professor. While on a vacation in Greece, they "by chance" meet a idly rich and seemingly golden couple (Simon and Melissa). Simon and Melissa are vacationing with another couple (Brad and Kristen). Melissa invites Jan and Marcus to dinner at a popular restaurant because there are only reservations for 6. Jan and Marcus make up the difference. The holiday eventually leads to a split between Marcus and Jan by the time they return from their holiday. A few years later, Simon and Melissa invite Jan on an all expense paid vacation to relive their first holiday. Enter Marcus, Brad, Kristen and Gretchen.
This did not seem like a mystery/suspense/psychological thriller for much of the book. I kept wondering where this was going. But all the information is there to lead up to a very weird, strange, harrowing, and revealing ending of the house party from a nightmare. This is not horror - just something I did not really expect. In many ways, it reminded me of some other mysteries I've watched and read - except without a detective to put it all together for you. Mostly, it is Jan's memories, current view and thoughts and actions that reveal all.
I'm glad I finished this one. It will forever be fuel to my OCD to finish books even when I don't want to. So, I'm not sure if this is a curse or a blessing.
May 28, 2018
For those of you who actually go on vacation, I'm a broke ho, so I don't even take vacations, this is a story of why you shouldn't befriend strangers just because you come from the same country and why you shouldn't keep promises to meet up five years later.
Jan is a mess, she's a liar and has been stuck in the same retail hell job for five years, maybe longer. She works long hours, her finances aren't the best she just lost out on a promotion and she's still pining for her ex. The only bright spot in her dark, dark drizzly world is an upcoming trip to Crete, yeah that Crete in Greece. Because all wage slaves can afford trips to Greece this makes perfect sense.
She's hoping to rekindle her relationship with her ex Marcus and meet up again with the radiant attention whore Melissa, her just there husband Simon, the basic cable TV star Kristen and her asshole husband Brad all of who she met five years earlier in Crete. These two couples radiate and sparkle with a type of moneyed glamour that makes everyone want to be near them. If this were Gilligan's Isle Jan and Marcus would be "and the rest". While Jan works a lowly retail job, Marcus is a teacher so it doesn't make much sense that these two couples would want to stay friends with such average work-a-day people, would it? But Melissa insists that they meet up in Crete 2,000 days later.
To Jan's disappointment, Melissa brought her friend Gretchen along. No one knows who this Gretchen is or why she's even there but one thing Jan knows is that that ho is trying to get with Marcus. Oh hell no!
She was hoping her vacation would be like this
Instead she got this
:
Jan wakes up in a dark room chained to a wall trying to figure out why she's there and how to get out. Also, the deranged psycho who locked her up makes an appearance from time to time questioning her and threatening bodily harm. But Jan doesn't know what she did or where she is...
Jan's response to being kidnapped is actually pretty calm and the reasons for and why she's in the predicament she's in is pretty fucking far fetch.
So many things about this book annoyed me and here they are....
The best way to sum up this entire story is like this....
My say something nice is.... I liked the Greek mythology that was included in the story.
Jan is a mess, she's a liar and has been stuck in the same retail hell job for five years, maybe longer. She works long hours, her finances aren't the best she just lost out on a promotion and she's still pining for her ex. The only bright spot in her dark, dark drizzly world is an upcoming trip to Crete, yeah that Crete in Greece. Because all wage slaves can afford trips to Greece this makes perfect sense.
She's hoping to rekindle her relationship with her ex Marcus and meet up again with the radiant attention whore Melissa, her just there husband Simon, the basic cable TV star Kristen and her asshole husband Brad all of who she met five years earlier in Crete. These two couples radiate and sparkle with a type of moneyed glamour that makes everyone want to be near them. If this were Gilligan's Isle Jan and Marcus would be "and the rest". While Jan works a lowly retail job, Marcus is a teacher so it doesn't make much sense that these two couples would want to stay friends with such average work-a-day people, would it? But Melissa insists that they meet up in Crete 2,000 days later.
To Jan's disappointment, Melissa brought her friend Gretchen along. No one knows who this Gretchen is or why she's even there but one thing Jan knows is that that ho is trying to get with Marcus. Oh hell no!
She was hoping her vacation would be like this
Instead she got this
:
Jan wakes up in a dark room chained to a wall trying to figure out why she's there and how to get out. Also, the deranged psycho who locked her up makes an appearance from time to time questioning her and threatening bodily harm. But Jan doesn't know what she did or where she is...
Jan's response to being kidnapped is actually pretty calm and the reasons for and why she's in the predicament she's in is pretty fucking far fetch.
So many things about this book annoyed me and here they are....
The best way to sum up this entire story is like this....
My say something nice is.... I liked the Greek mythology that was included in the story.
June 22, 2018
Sorry, but I couldn’t get past the 20% mark. The writing was mediocre and the dialogue had me continuously rolling my eyes. I can deal with some pretty meh plots but I can’t handle cheesy dialogues... I don’t know any adults that actually speak this way.
“You missed the drinkies!”
*Ex-boyfriend sees ex-girlfriend in a towel walking down the hallway*
“Hey stranger! I was just going to... is the bathroom free?”
Girl: “Yes. It’s right there.”
Guy: “Right. Cool. Ok, then. What a great place, huh?”
Girl: “Yes.”
Guy: “Gonna be fun. Us all together again.”
Girl: “Yes.”
Guy: “Ok. Well, we’ll do the reunion thing when you’re dressed, yeah? Hugs and such.”
Girl: “Sure.”
Guy: “Ok, then. I’ll see you in a few...”
“We are so white! Aren’t we just so white?”
“Pretty white.”
“Right?”
“You are so random.”
“I know, right? Seriously random.”
Weird chick (that the main chick has only just met for the first time in her life): “Do you still have that pink top that you got on employee discount?”
Main chick: “How did you know about that top?”
Weird chick: “You were wearing it in a picture.”
“God, look at this place. Is this awesome or what?”
“Pretty awesome.”
“Totally awesome.”
“Awesome. Jan?”
“Awesome.”
If you can get past any of that dialogue without rolling your eyes then you’re stronger than me. Godspeed.
“You missed the drinkies!”
*Ex-boyfriend sees ex-girlfriend in a towel walking down the hallway*
“Hey stranger! I was just going to... is the bathroom free?”
Girl: “Yes. It’s right there.”
Guy: “Right. Cool. Ok, then. What a great place, huh?”
Girl: “Yes.”
Guy: “Gonna be fun. Us all together again.”
Girl: “Yes.”
Guy: “Ok. Well, we’ll do the reunion thing when you’re dressed, yeah? Hugs and such.”
Girl: “Sure.”
Guy: “Ok, then. I’ll see you in a few...”
“We are so white! Aren’t we just so white?”
“Pretty white.”
“Right?”
“You are so random.”
“I know, right? Seriously random.”
Weird chick (that the main chick has only just met for the first time in her life): “Do you still have that pink top that you got on employee discount?”
Main chick: “How did you know about that top?”
Weird chick: “You were wearing it in a picture.”
“God, look at this place. Is this awesome or what?”
“Pretty awesome.”
“Totally awesome.”
“Awesome. Jan?”
“Awesome.”
If you can get past any of that dialogue without rolling your eyes then you’re stronger than me. Godspeed.
June 15, 2025
Absolutely riveting
I was pulled into the story from the start. Great characters and story that really kept me guessing at the end. I would absolutely read more by this author
I was pulled into the story from the start. Great characters and story that really kept me guessing at the end. I would absolutely read more by this author
May 2, 2018
2.5 STARS
It's revealed fairly early in the book that Jan is a liar, she lies about big things, she lies about inconsequential things. She's aware of this, yet acts affronted when people don't believe her.
The book opens with Jan being shackled to a wall, her memory foggy. Then it flashes back to her arrival in Greece. It goes back and forth, but the present chapters were much more interesting, as the stakes are much higher. The flashback chapters are longer (sometimes too long), filled with one unlikable character after another. They pretty much drink all day and throw vague insults (and the occasional menacing look) at each other.
This book reminded me of "In a Dark, Dark Wood", but it didn't grab me in the same way (not nearly as atmospheric).
It's revealed fairly early in the book that Jan is a liar, she lies about big things, she lies about inconsequential things. She's aware of this, yet acts affronted when people don't believe her.
The book opens with Jan being shackled to a wall, her memory foggy. Then it flashes back to her arrival in Greece. It goes back and forth, but the present chapters were much more interesting, as the stakes are much higher. The flashback chapters are longer (sometimes too long), filled with one unlikable character after another. They pretty much drink all day and throw vague insults (and the occasional menacing look) at each other.
This book reminded me of "In a Dark, Dark Wood", but it didn't grab me in the same way (not nearly as atmospheric).
August 13, 2018
I have tried, twice, to slog along and get into this book, but I can't do it. I'm giving up. Jan, the main character, is so unlikable that I didn't really care who put her where she is, or if she will ever get out alive. Once I found out that everything I'd learned about her life, her job, etc. to this point had been lies, and that Jan is a habitual liar, I'd had it. Life is too short to waste time reading about a character I dislike so much.
August 30, 2018
Audiobook Review:
First time read for this author and it seem like it was going to be an okay story. However, I had a hard time following it. This was one that started off good and got confusing somewhere in the middle and made its way back to good in the end.
This is a story where the major charactor is a liar who reunites with her friends in the Greek Islands. and decides to put on a "pretend" once again. However, pretending goes wrong and her secrets and lies catch up with her.
I thought parts of the story was unbelievable and the major character was very flawed. Dialogue between characters was terrible and expected better. Even though I didn't find it an enjoyable listening ...JMO, the story did have some pretty good twists especially at the end, when I thought it was all just a dream for her.
Kindly giving this 3-Stars
First time read for this author and it seem like it was going to be an okay story. However, I had a hard time following it. This was one that started off good and got confusing somewhere in the middle and made its way back to good in the end.
This is a story where the major charactor is a liar who reunites with her friends in the Greek Islands. and decides to put on a "pretend" once again. However, pretending goes wrong and her secrets and lies catch up with her.
I thought parts of the story was unbelievable and the major character was very flawed. Dialogue between characters was terrible and expected better. Even though I didn't find it an enjoyable listening ...JMO, the story did have some pretty good twists especially at the end, when I thought it was all just a dream for her.
Kindly giving this 3-Stars
May 6, 2018
Gripping!!!
Gripping, can't put the kindle down, read. I loved the way the author intertwined Greek mythology around the story line. Would highly recommend this book and the author. Onto one of his next books!!
Gripping, can't put the kindle down, read. I loved the way the author intertwined Greek mythology around the story line. Would highly recommend this book and the author. Onto one of his next books!!
May 5, 2018
My free Kindle First book for May. I was surprised by how much I liked it. It presented Jan’s lying like an addiction. An interesting story of her journey to self awareness, entwined with the mystery and intrigue happening around her.
June 2, 2019
I nearly ditched this book quite early on. I was interested in the opening of the book – manacled woman in a dark room – but bored by the interspersed story of six characters who were both uninteresting and unbelievable. I starting skipping through the book, just to get to the juicy bits.
A sudden revelation () slowed me down, had me backtracking to check I hadn’t missed anything and added interest to the plot.
But actually, now I’ve finished the story, I can’t really see how this was relevant to the plot at all. What was the point? Or did I miss the point because of all my skipping?
Lies that Bind Us has a really exciting beginning and an even more exciting ending. It’s just the in-between that lets it down.
A sudden revelation () slowed me down, had me backtracking to check I hadn’t missed anything and added interest to the plot.
But actually, now I’ve finished the story, I can’t really see how this was relevant to the plot at all. What was the point? Or did I miss the point because of all my skipping?
Lies that Bind Us has a really exciting beginning and an even more exciting ending. It’s just the in-between that lets it down.
February 26, 2019
Why did i read that?
Half way through and I was heavily skimming already, I begged for someone to tell me how it ended because I was just curious enough to want to know but not curious enough to actually read to find out. But in the end, I did and it was every bit as asinine as I thought it would be.
Half way through and I was heavily skimming already, I begged for someone to tell me how it ended because I was just curious enough to want to know but not curious enough to actually read to find out. But in the end, I did and it was every bit as asinine as I thought it would be.
March 24, 2019
Another book im not sure how i feel about. It kept my interest and i was motivated to get to the ending. I felt a disconnect with the characters tho.. i really didnt like any of them. They were all terribly flawed. Im sure that was the intention of the author. I would recommend tho..its a page turner for sure but didnt feel the love....
May 14, 2018
I chose this book as my May kindle first read book. It sounded interesting but I found it weird and boring. I gave it 2/5 stars because the twists were actually pretty good and I just thought it was going to end with Jan saying it was all a lie, so that was a plus that it didn't end that way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2020
This book was... unexpectedly good.
I picked this up as a Kindle First Read back in 2018 (if the date I first shelved it is to be believed), and it's been pushed further and further back into my Kindle library. Forgotten. Unloved. Unread. Until now.
I could not put this book down. Admittedly it starts out a little slow. The introvert in me kept wondering why a) you would make friends on vacation, and b) you would plan another vacation with these random strangers you befriended, but that's just socially awkward me. I guess people do these things... Anyway. Once you get past the reunion bits in the beginning, the story starts to take off.
Jan wakes up in a dark cell chained to a wall. She can't remember how she got here or even where here is, but as the narrative progresses, she starts to remember the events leading up to her captivity. The story alternates between the Jan that came to Crete a few days ago for a reunion with a group of couples she met on vacation while in Crete 5 years ago (including her ex), and the Jan that somehow ended up in this super creepy situation where she's manacled to the wall in a cell. Events that happened on the original trip 5 years ago also slowly unfold--if you're an avid reader of suspense, you might guess where this book is headed, but personally, I think trying to guess the end is part of the fun of the mystery/suspense genre (even if you guess right).
Early on in the novel we discover a few important tidbits about Jan, including that she is a pathological liar, which makes her the quintessential unreliable narrator. I would recommend to any fan of domestic thrillers, especially those looking for a reprieve from the standard cookie-cutter domestic thriller plot.
4 creeped out, paged turning stars.
I picked this up as a Kindle First Read back in 2018 (if the date I first shelved it is to be believed), and it's been pushed further and further back into my Kindle library. Forgotten. Unloved. Unread. Until now.
I could not put this book down. Admittedly it starts out a little slow. The introvert in me kept wondering why a) you would make friends on vacation, and b) you would plan another vacation with these random strangers you befriended, but that's just socially awkward me. I guess people do these things... Anyway. Once you get past the reunion bits in the beginning, the story starts to take off.
Jan wakes up in a dark cell chained to a wall. She can't remember how she got here or even where here is, but as the narrative progresses, she starts to remember the events leading up to her captivity. The story alternates between the Jan that came to Crete a few days ago for a reunion with a group of couples she met on vacation while in Crete 5 years ago (including her ex), and the Jan that somehow ended up in this super creepy situation where she's manacled to the wall in a cell. Events that happened on the original trip 5 years ago also slowly unfold--if you're an avid reader of suspense, you might guess where this book is headed, but personally, I think trying to guess the end is part of the fun of the mystery/suspense genre (even if you guess right).
Early on in the novel we discover a few important tidbits about Jan, including that she is a pathological liar, which makes her the quintessential unreliable narrator. I would recommend to any fan of domestic thrillers, especially those looking for a reprieve from the standard cookie-cutter domestic thriller plot.
4 creeped out, paged turning stars.
January 8, 2023
I was impressed by this e-book. I know that some of what is published and offered up for free is not always and entertaining read. However, this one was quite enjoyable. After finally sorting out the 7 major characters, and finding the ability to follow from past to present chapters I found I needed to desperately know what happened. Why was Jan such a liar? Why was she back on a reunion trip with people who weren’t particularly nice? Who was Gretchen? Does Jan ever get back with Marcus? All in all, a good 4th read for 2023.
August 11, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, but am giving it 4 stars because of the many inconsistencies in it. This story is exciting and original, and delves unexpectedly into the psychology behind people's actions. The author also weaves greek mythology into the story is a nice touch. Each chapter alternates between the main character, Jan in the present (who is chained in a cell, with no memory of how she got there,) and Jan a week ago in the past (who is recounting the events leading up to her present imprisonment.) We learn early on, that the past Jan lies extensively about anything and everything, but is fortunate to have 2 rich acquaintances (Simon & Melissa) who are paying for her trip to Greece to join them for a reunion party. Joining the 3 for the reunion party, are Marcus, Jan's ex-boyfriend, another couple (Brad & Kristin), and Gretchen, a woman she has never met before. The book reads quite a bit as a "whodunit", in regards to who has chained up Jan. The author masterfully writes in a suspenseful way, that it is easy to believe that any of her 6 reunion mates could be guilty, along with the possibilities that Jan is lying about the whole episode, or that an outsider unrelated to their reunion party is the culprit. Most surprising was the reason behind Jan's captivity, which in retrospect, the author had dropped several clues about. Throughout most of the book, the different characters are intriguing and believable. However, the book was also full of inconsistencies that I found greatly annoying. Most prominent as it carried through the entire book, extremely near-sighted Jan loses her glasses very early on in the book, then the rest of the book has her alternating between describing things at a distance that she could not possibly see, or has her lamenting being unable to see things that are much closer to her than some of the previous things she had described. There were many other little inconsistencies. To list some of the more prominent ones: 1) Jan while chained to the wall, lamenting that her arm stretches a millimeter short to grab a nail, when it seems obvious that she should stretch out her leg and grab it with her toes, 2) Jan being immediately affected when walking into a room full of carbon monoxide, but the carbon monoxide having no effect on another character that walks into the room, not to mention the other characters who had been exposed to the carbon monoxide for hours not already being dead 3) Jan's escape from being chained in a way that does not seem at all physically possible short of a huge adrenaline rush which she did not have, 4) Jan not having any thoughts or concerns about water, despite being chained up for hours without any water (not to mention she had no thoughts of any other human concerns, such as food, going to the bathroom, or being cold.) 5) the trial scene where the guilty party inexplicably takes the stand, even though Greece does protect against self-incrimination, 6) admittedly I don't know Greek law, but it seems unlikely that "multiple life sentences" would be given to someone for manslaughter and attempted murder 7) and admittedly this is a minor part, but when Jan mentions that her bra is "soft and comfortable"...um just no, bras are never soft or comfortable for the woman wearing them. Overall, this is a book that is worth reading and thinking about, but it is unfortunate that there are so many inconsistencies distracting from the story.
May 6, 2018
I ordered this book as my Kindle First book for May. The synopsis seemed interesting and I enjoy mystery/suspense stories, so I thought it would be a fun read. Other reviewers have found that the book was heavy on Greek mythology, but I found the mythology throughout the book interesting and not overwhelming to the rest of the book. The overall story, while formulaic for mystery and psychological suspense books, had parts that were different and made this book "hold its own." I finished the book feeling as if the ending was good and not totally expected. The story takes some time to bring the "suspense" portion to the front, but the story doesn't lag to the point where I wanted to stop reading. Readers who enjoy suspense/psychological thrillers will find this book interesting.
May 3, 2018
From the first page to the last you are trying to figure out who and why.
This well written thriller keeps you guessing until the end. I usually figure it out well before the end but not this time. This Author knows how to grab your attention and make you feel like you are there. Would recommend this for anyone who loves a great thriller.
This well written thriller keeps you guessing until the end. I usually figure it out well before the end but not this time. This Author knows how to grab your attention and make you feel like you are there. Would recommend this for anyone who loves a great thriller.
May 6, 2018
Engulfed me
I never do read a book straight through but rather just add it to bedtime reading for a few weeks until I finish. This book was different, I barely put this one down and finished it in 2 1/2 days. Great story, wonderful imagery. I felt that I was on vacation in Greece with them and I also felt their horror.
I never do read a book straight through but rather just add it to bedtime reading for a few weeks until I finish. This book was different, I barely put this one down and finished it in 2 1/2 days. Great story, wonderful imagery. I felt that I was on vacation in Greece with them and I also felt their horror.
June 3, 2018
Really great thriller - creepy, suspenseful and a satisfying ending. I didn't like the protagonist until almost the end of the book and at first I thought I wouldn't like the book, but I got sucked into the story and wanting to know what happened. Glad I kept reading.
June 17, 2018
This story of a pathological liar who reunites with friends in the Greek Islands doesn't really flow or come together. The last two chapters were the best part of the book. The mythological parallels don't really work and the suspense is lacking.
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
September 11, 2018
Mai letto un libro più sgangherato e più sconclusionato di questo!
Trama quasi inesistente,dialoghi da ragazzini delle elementari.
Una domenica buttata via per leggere questo pseudo " thriller!
Trama quasi inesistente,dialoghi da ragazzini delle elementari.
Una domenica buttata via per leggere questo pseudo " thriller!
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