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Poppy & Serena #2
All My Lies Are True
From the bestselling author of Tell Me Your Secret and The Brighton Mermaid comes the breath-taking sequel to the iconic Sunday Times bestseller The Ice Cream Girls.
Verity is telling lies...
And that's why she's about to be arrested for attempted murder.
Serena has been lying for years. . .
And that may have driven her daughter, Verity, to do something unthinkable...
Poppy's lies have come back to haunt her . . .
So will her quest for the truth hurt everyone she loves?
Everyone lies.
But whose lies are going to end in tragedy?
Verity is telling lies...
And that's why she's about to be arrested for attempted murder.
Serena has been lying for years. . .
And that may have driven her daughter, Verity, to do something unthinkable...
Poppy's lies have come back to haunt her . . .
So will her quest for the truth hurt everyone she loves?
Everyone lies.
But whose lies are going to end in tragedy?
456 pages, ebook
First published July 9, 2020
392 people are currently reading
2559 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Koomson
50 books3,280 followersHello, my name's Dorothy Koomson and I'll try to make this bit that's all about me as interesting as possible.
I wrote my first novel called There's A Thin Line Between Love And Hate when I was 13. I used to write a chapter every night then pass it around to my fellow convent school pupils every morning, and they seemed to love it.
I grew up in London and then grew up again in Leeds when I went to university. I eventually returned to London to study for my masters degree and stayed put for the following years. I took up various temping jobs and eventually got my big break writing, editing and subbing for various women's magazines and national papers.
Fiction and storytelling were still a HUGE passion of mine and I continued to write short stories and novels every spare moment that I got. In 2001 I had the idea for The Cupid Effect and my career as a published novelist began. And it's been fantastic. In 2006, third novel, My Best Friend's Girl was published. It was incredibly successful - selling nearly 90,000 copies within its first few weeks on sale. Six weeks later, it was selected for the Richard & Judy Summer Reads Book Club and the book went on to sell over 500,000 copies. Oh, there I go again, this is meant to be about me, not my novels.
Okay, back to me. I recently spent two years living in Sydney Australia, and now I'm back in England. But I can't say for how long I'll be in the UK for because I've been well and truly bitten by the travel bug
I wrote my first novel called There's A Thin Line Between Love And Hate when I was 13. I used to write a chapter every night then pass it around to my fellow convent school pupils every morning, and they seemed to love it.
I grew up in London and then grew up again in Leeds when I went to university. I eventually returned to London to study for my masters degree and stayed put for the following years. I took up various temping jobs and eventually got my big break writing, editing and subbing for various women's magazines and national papers.
Fiction and storytelling were still a HUGE passion of mine and I continued to write short stories and novels every spare moment that I got. In 2001 I had the idea for The Cupid Effect and my career as a published novelist began. And it's been fantastic. In 2006, third novel, My Best Friend's Girl was published. It was incredibly successful - selling nearly 90,000 copies within its first few weeks on sale. Six weeks later, it was selected for the Richard & Judy Summer Reads Book Club and the book went on to sell over 500,000 copies. Oh, there I go again, this is meant to be about me, not my novels.
Okay, back to me. I recently spent two years living in Sydney Australia, and now I'm back in England. But I can't say for how long I'll be in the UK for because I've been well and truly bitten by the travel bug
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 402 reviews
April 17, 2021
Hello, gorgeous cover! I’m back with another fabulous read from Mobius Books, an imprint of Hachette, publishing many previously released UK titles in print in the US for the first time. I say this every time I review one of their books- I am loving them all! All My Lies Are True is no exception.
This is actually a follow-up book but can easily stand on its own. This book is classified as a mystery/thriller/contemporary with a smidge of romance, and I think that suits it perfectly.
Serena is married and has it all, including a daughter, Verity, who happens to be the main character of the novel. We also hear from Serena and Poppy. There’s a trauma in Serena and Poppy’s past, and now Verity has been arrested for attempted murder.
My favorite thing about this book is how Dorothy Koomson builds suspense bit by bit. She drops breadcrumbs, and I love to analyze. Even at almost 500 pages, the story is completely absorbing, and I was caught up in the flawed characters and their actions. It also brought out a ton of emotion in every direction.
This was one wild ride, and I definitely have to go back and read The Ice Cream Girls now, as well as more books by Dorothy Koomson.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
This is actually a follow-up book but can easily stand on its own. This book is classified as a mystery/thriller/contemporary with a smidge of romance, and I think that suits it perfectly.
Serena is married and has it all, including a daughter, Verity, who happens to be the main character of the novel. We also hear from Serena and Poppy. There’s a trauma in Serena and Poppy’s past, and now Verity has been arrested for attempted murder.
My favorite thing about this book is how Dorothy Koomson builds suspense bit by bit. She drops breadcrumbs, and I love to analyze. Even at almost 500 pages, the story is completely absorbing, and I was caught up in the flawed characters and their actions. It also brought out a ton of emotion in every direction.
This was one wild ride, and I definitely have to go back and read The Ice Cream Girls now, as well as more books by Dorothy Koomson.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
September 1, 2020
Tenho de admitir que adoro esta autora e este livro superou todas as minhas expectativas.
Neste livro voltamos a entrar na história das meninas do gelado e num homicídio que ainda coloca muitas questões no ar.
As meninas do gelado, anos depois continuam enfrentando as suas ansiedades. Mas, neste livro, o foco principal é na família destas meninas. Uma família destruída pelo passado. Uma família que não conhece o passado.
O que será que vai acontecer com a família delas? Será que os segredos irão ser revelados?
Neste livro, as realidades de ambas vão chocar-se mais uma vez. Desta vez, irá ser mais destrutivo, irá haver vingança.
Será que Serena e Poppy, as meninas do gelado, conseguirão ultrapassar mais uma fase que as une? Será que serão as mesmas depois de tudo o que irá acontecer?
Um livro que fala sobre um tema importante e atual. Que fala sobre um tema que, ainda, acontece com muitos casais e em muitas relações.
Um tema essencial que precisa de ser falado e discutido. É importante perceber a diferença entre amor e violência.
Neste livro voltamos a entrar na história das meninas do gelado e num homicídio que ainda coloca muitas questões no ar.
As meninas do gelado, anos depois continuam enfrentando as suas ansiedades. Mas, neste livro, o foco principal é na família destas meninas. Uma família destruída pelo passado. Uma família que não conhece o passado.
O que será que vai acontecer com a família delas? Será que os segredos irão ser revelados?
Neste livro, as realidades de ambas vão chocar-se mais uma vez. Desta vez, irá ser mais destrutivo, irá haver vingança.
Será que Serena e Poppy, as meninas do gelado, conseguirão ultrapassar mais uma fase que as une? Será que serão as mesmas depois de tudo o que irá acontecer?
Um livro que fala sobre um tema importante e atual. Que fala sobre um tema que, ainda, acontece com muitos casais e em muitas relações.
Um tema essencial que precisa de ser falado e discutido. É importante perceber a diferença entre amor e violência.
October 3, 2020
4.5 ⭐
Continuação do livro Um erro inocente, mas desta vez focada em Verity, a filha de Serena, que foi uma personagem que adorei. Gostei muito de rever a história de Poppy e Serena 10 anos depois, e perceber o modo como as suas vidas foi perturbada pela história das Meninas do Gelado e, sobretudo, como isso afetou as pessoas que amam. Um livro sobre segredos, mentiras e abusos, que me deixou agarrada desde a primeira página e me fez duvidar de tudo e de todos. Aborda temas como os laços familiares, as relações abusivas e o poder de resiliência face aos fantasmas do passado. Muito bem escrito e com uma história super envolvente, como habitual na nossa Dorothy.
Continuação do livro Um erro inocente, mas desta vez focada em Verity, a filha de Serena, que foi uma personagem que adorei. Gostei muito de rever a história de Poppy e Serena 10 anos depois, e perceber o modo como as suas vidas foi perturbada pela história das Meninas do Gelado e, sobretudo, como isso afetou as pessoas que amam. Um livro sobre segredos, mentiras e abusos, que me deixou agarrada desde a primeira página e me fez duvidar de tudo e de todos. Aborda temas como os laços familiares, as relações abusivas e o poder de resiliência face aos fantasmas do passado. Muito bem escrito e com uma história super envolvente, como habitual na nossa Dorothy.
August 7, 2020
9 de 10*
Eu quase temo não ser imparcial no que toca a Dorothy Koomson. Gosto tanto desta autora que não consigo não gostar de nada do que ela escreve. Nem leio sinopses, se há livro novo quero ler… ontem! Porque sei que vou ter uma leitura fantástica que nunca me desilude. Tal como voltou a acontecer neste “Vidas Adiadas”.
Comentário completo em:
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.com...
Eu quase temo não ser imparcial no que toca a Dorothy Koomson. Gosto tanto desta autora que não consigo não gostar de nada do que ela escreve. Nem leio sinopses, se há livro novo quero ler… ontem! Porque sei que vou ter uma leitura fantástica que nunca me desilude. Tal como voltou a acontecer neste “Vidas Adiadas”.
Comentário completo em:
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.com...
October 29, 2020
Leitura conjunta do Clube de leitura @mantadehistorias
Depois de termos lido Um Erro Inocente fazia todo o sentido ler a sequela das meninas do Gelado.
Desta vez a história irá centrar-se em Verity a filha de Serena.
Mais uma vez as mentiras e os segredos vão estar bem presentes na vida de Poppy e Serena. E a violência nas relações amorosas continua a ser tema nesta obra.
Foi um livro que gostei muito de ler e que me deixou agarrada desde as primeiras páginas. Algumas coisas deixadas em aberto no livro anterior foram esclarecidas mas parece-me que outras deixam a dúvida se esta história terminou mesmo aqui...
Depois de termos lido Um Erro Inocente fazia todo o sentido ler a sequela das meninas do Gelado.
Desta vez a história irá centrar-se em Verity a filha de Serena.
Mais uma vez as mentiras e os segredos vão estar bem presentes na vida de Poppy e Serena. E a violência nas relações amorosas continua a ser tema nesta obra.
Foi um livro que gostei muito de ler e que me deixou agarrada desde as primeiras páginas. Algumas coisas deixadas em aberto no livro anterior foram esclarecidas mas parece-me que outras deixam a dúvida se esta história terminou mesmo aqui...
July 21, 2020
I didn't even realise how much I wanted a sequel to Dorothy Koomson's The Ice Cream Girls until I heard there was one coming and honestly, this was one of my most anticipated books of the year. My expectations were high. It exceeded all of them! I loved it!
If you liked The Ice Cream Girls then you will love this book. It features Poppy and Serena and their families but ten years on from when the last book ended. The storyline to All My Lies Are True is slightly easier to swallow than The Ice Girls was but abuse is a running theme throughout this book again, along with secrets and lies of course.
This time Verity, Serena's daughter is the main character but we also hear from Serena and Poppy's perspective too. As always, Dorothy's characters are so well written and feel so real, this is what always makes me books stand out from the crowd for me, that an addictive storyline that continuously drip feeds you clues. Dorothy's books are always around the 500 page mark but never do I feel bored or as if the book is dragging on, every page is a delight to read!
I felt like the book stayed so true to who the characters were in the first book and there were lots of parts that linked to The Ice Cream Girls, I'd definitely recommend reading that book before this one just to get full experience and enjoyment out of the books.
And I can't write a review without mentioning the ending. I loved it, it was just perfect. Except the very last few lines which has left me craving another instalment to this story which sadly I don't think will happen. Why Dorothy, why!?
If you liked The Ice Cream Girls then you will love this book. It features Poppy and Serena and their families but ten years on from when the last book ended. The storyline to All My Lies Are True is slightly easier to swallow than The Ice Girls was but abuse is a running theme throughout this book again, along with secrets and lies of course.
This time Verity, Serena's daughter is the main character but we also hear from Serena and Poppy's perspective too. As always, Dorothy's characters are so well written and feel so real, this is what always makes me books stand out from the crowd for me, that an addictive storyline that continuously drip feeds you clues. Dorothy's books are always around the 500 page mark but never do I feel bored or as if the book is dragging on, every page is a delight to read!
I felt like the book stayed so true to who the characters were in the first book and there were lots of parts that linked to The Ice Cream Girls, I'd definitely recommend reading that book before this one just to get full experience and enjoyment out of the books.
And I can't write a review without mentioning the ending. I loved it, it was just perfect. Except the very last few lines which has left me craving another instalment to this story which sadly I don't think will happen. Why Dorothy, why!?
July 24, 2020
“The sky is never simple, never one thing, never easy to define. The sky is there as a reflection of my life, something that at first looks clear and simple, but when you move closer, look a little bit deeper, there’s always so much more.”
- Poppy Carlisle
-—-
“I see a decent person and he offers me love, I go with it. I accept his love and I give love back and I enjoy myself around him. Love is not complicated for me.”
- Bella Carlisle
-—-
“This is incredible. Us is incredible. I don’t want to stop falling in love with you.”
- Logan Carlisle
-—-
“That terrified me. The things that love could make you do, make you put up with.
(...)
“Love is part of life and life is messy; is love just about messiness? Is love about being caught up in the general melee of the confusing mass of mess that is life?”
- Verity Gillmare
-—-
“It was never enough. When you are a prisoner, a convict like me or Tina, you are lowly. And even if you go back to ‘real life’ you are still lowly, you are always that number. You are never completely human again. Innocent or not, people always expect a piece of you whenever they demand it. They always expect an answer. They always expect you to want to prove yourself worthy of being around them. It probably isn’t conscious, it rarely is malicious, but it is there. It is always there at the back of their minds. It is always there as something they wonder about and feel entitled to ask about.”
- Poppy Carlisle
-—-
“Innocent or guilty, once you’re in there, everyone thinks you’re guilty. Everyone treats you like you’re guilty. You start to believe you’re guilty. Innocent until proven guilty is just a nice thing to trot out for the people who are unlikely to find out the actual truth of being arrested and accused.”
- Serena Guilmare
-—-
“Believe me, they can find the lie in every single word, no matter how innocent or “true” it might seem.”
- Darryl Palmer
-—-
“Logan lied. He seduced me, he fooled me, he sucked me into his world.
Logan lied. And unfortunately for me, all his lies are true.”
- Verity Gillmare
-—-
“This is what it was like with Marcus, sometimes. He would switch in a blink – one moment he would be romantic and adoring, the next – nasty, vicious, dangerous; then back to adoring, attentive, loving. It was disorientating, destabilising.”
- Poppy Carlisle
- Poppy Carlisle
-—-
“I see a decent person and he offers me love, I go with it. I accept his love and I give love back and I enjoy myself around him. Love is not complicated for me.”
- Bella Carlisle
-—-
“This is incredible. Us is incredible. I don’t want to stop falling in love with you.”
- Logan Carlisle
-—-
“That terrified me. The things that love could make you do, make you put up with.
(...)
“Love is part of life and life is messy; is love just about messiness? Is love about being caught up in the general melee of the confusing mass of mess that is life?”
- Verity Gillmare
-—-
“It was never enough. When you are a prisoner, a convict like me or Tina, you are lowly. And even if you go back to ‘real life’ you are still lowly, you are always that number. You are never completely human again. Innocent or not, people always expect a piece of you whenever they demand it. They always expect an answer. They always expect you to want to prove yourself worthy of being around them. It probably isn’t conscious, it rarely is malicious, but it is there. It is always there at the back of their minds. It is always there as something they wonder about and feel entitled to ask about.”
- Poppy Carlisle
-—-
“Innocent or guilty, once you’re in there, everyone thinks you’re guilty. Everyone treats you like you’re guilty. You start to believe you’re guilty. Innocent until proven guilty is just a nice thing to trot out for the people who are unlikely to find out the actual truth of being arrested and accused.”
- Serena Guilmare
-—-
“Believe me, they can find the lie in every single word, no matter how innocent or “true” it might seem.”
- Darryl Palmer
-—-
“Logan lied. He seduced me, he fooled me, he sucked me into his world.
Logan lied. And unfortunately for me, all his lies are true.”
- Verity Gillmare
-—-
“This is what it was like with Marcus, sometimes. He would switch in a blink – one moment he would be romantic and adoring, the next – nasty, vicious, dangerous; then back to adoring, attentive, loving. It was disorientating, destabilising.”
- Poppy Carlisle
August 19, 2020
Este livro é a continuação de Um Erro Inocente publicado em 2010 e que conta a história da Serena e da Poppy duas adolescentes que foram julgadas pela morte de um professor.
Apesar de estarmos perante uma continuação, há uma nova história neste livro, pelo que, podem ler os livros em separado. Claro que a experiência é melhor se lerem o anterior porque ficam a saber mais sobre a história principal, mas podem ler um sem o outro que percebem bem tudo na mesma.
Neste livro a Serena e a Poppy voltam a cruzar-se, assim como as suas famílias, e o passado volta a estar muito presente.
Uma série de acontecimentos, mal entendidos, interpretações diferentes e que levam a consequências desastrosas são o mote principal do livro.
Na vida, antes de fazermos qualquer juízo de valor, ou tomarmos algum partido, devemos sempre ouvir todos os lados envolvidos e todas as versões da história. Nem sempre a verdade de uns é a verdade de outros.
É um livro muito interessante e cativante que aborda temas muito relevantes e importantes. Confesso que o primeiro livro não me tinha cativado tanto e este prendeu-me muito mais logo de início, tanto que li as 500 páginas em 2 dias.
October 27, 2020
Gostei muito desta conclusão! Tudo está bem quando acaba bem, mesmo que a última frase tenha sido um bomba caída do céu. Esta estória centrou-se na filha da Serena, Verity e do irmão da Poppy, Logan, partindo assim na descoberta da verdade.
July 4, 2020
10 anos depois de Um Erro Inocente regressamos ao Brighton das meninas do gelado; com as personagens que já conhecemos tão bem e com novas personagens intrigantes.
Adorei rever as personagens numa nova fase das suas vidas - muita coisa mudou, mas os fantasmas do passado continuam presentes na mente e na vida da Serena e da Poppy; ainda mais, quando estes começam a afetar as pessoas mais próximas de ambas.
Mais uma vez, a voz que mais gostei de ler, foi a da Poppy - adoro o seu modo de ser, a sua resiliência. Claro que também gosto da Serena e agora esta apresenta-se mais forte que no livro anterior, mas ainda assim não consigo criar tanta ligação com ela. A nova voz, que é a Verity é uma caixinha de surpresas...não estava a contar com isto, mas adorei conhecê-la e ver a força que tem.
Gostei que este livro se focasse nos elementos da família e não apenas nas personagens centrais. As ligações estão muito bem feitas e adorei descobrir mais sobre todos.
Fiquei muito surpreendida com o rumo da ação - não contava que fosse abordar esta temática e muito menos deste modo. A certa altura já duvidava de todos (não acreditava na verdade de ninguém). Um livro com personagens muito fortes, muito inteligentes e seguras de si, das suas verdades. Adorei todas as personagens e fiquei rendida à complexidade de todos.
Um aspeto que adorei foi ter finalmente resposta a questões que tinha após a leitura de Um Erro Inocente - gostei como alguns aspetos foram revelados, enquanto que outros senti que foram demasiado apressados.
A redenção das personagens foi algo que adorei ver e os capítulos finais de cada um...Uau! Fiquei satisfeita com todos, mas o final da Verity...digamos que é o motivo para eu acreditar que se calhar este ainda não foi o fim da história - ainda que tenha adorado o final.
Uma história que aborda traumas, relações abusivas, e as consequências de contar a verdade ou não.
E o que é a verdade afinal? Julgamos que é o que sentimos e vivemos, mas...quem está de fora pode entender a nossa verdade como mentira... Ou então a nossa mentira como verdade.
No final...All My Lies Are True...
Adorei rever as personagens numa nova fase das suas vidas - muita coisa mudou, mas os fantasmas do passado continuam presentes na mente e na vida da Serena e da Poppy; ainda mais, quando estes começam a afetar as pessoas mais próximas de ambas.
Mais uma vez, a voz que mais gostei de ler, foi a da Poppy - adoro o seu modo de ser, a sua resiliência. Claro que também gosto da Serena e agora esta apresenta-se mais forte que no livro anterior, mas ainda assim não consigo criar tanta ligação com ela. A nova voz, que é a Verity é uma caixinha de surpresas...não estava a contar com isto, mas adorei conhecê-la e ver a força que tem.
Gostei que este livro se focasse nos elementos da família e não apenas nas personagens centrais. As ligações estão muito bem feitas e adorei descobrir mais sobre todos.
Fiquei muito surpreendida com o rumo da ação - não contava que fosse abordar esta temática e muito menos deste modo. A certa altura já duvidava de todos (não acreditava na verdade de ninguém). Um livro com personagens muito fortes, muito inteligentes e seguras de si, das suas verdades. Adorei todas as personagens e fiquei rendida à complexidade de todos.
Um aspeto que adorei foi ter finalmente resposta a questões que tinha após a leitura de Um Erro Inocente - gostei como alguns aspetos foram revelados, enquanto que outros senti que foram demasiado apressados.
A redenção das personagens foi algo que adorei ver e os capítulos finais de cada um...Uau! Fiquei satisfeita com todos, mas o final da Verity...digamos que é o motivo para eu acreditar que se calhar este ainda não foi o fim da história - ainda que tenha adorado o final.
Uma história que aborda traumas, relações abusivas, e as consequências de contar a verdade ou não.
E o que é a verdade afinal? Julgamos que é o que sentimos e vivemos, mas...quem está de fora pode entender a nossa verdade como mentira... Ou então a nossa mentira como verdade.
No final...All My Lies Are True...
September 6, 2022
Este foi o primeiro livro que li de Dorothy Koomson e tenho de admitir que fiquei rendida à forma como ela escreve e como nos prende em todas as páginas que vamos passando.
Serena e Poppy, as meninas do gelado agora já mais velhas e maduras, do primeiro livro desta série, vão estar de novo sob situações extremamente stressantes, só que, desta vez, as visadas são as famílias delas. Maridos e filhos vão ser o foco principal desta história. No entanto, Serena e Poppy são sempre as "estrelas" principais deste livro. (...)
Opinião Completa no Sinfonia dos Livros
https://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.co...
Serena e Poppy, as meninas do gelado agora já mais velhas e maduras, do primeiro livro desta série, vão estar de novo sob situações extremamente stressantes, só que, desta vez, as visadas são as famílias delas. Maridos e filhos vão ser o foco principal desta história. No entanto, Serena e Poppy são sempre as "estrelas" principais deste livro. (...)
Opinião Completa no Sinfonia dos Livros
https://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.co...
August 11, 2020
A minha opinião em vídeo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fhnn...
April 7, 2021
Twisty, tragic, and unpredictable!
All My Lies Are True is the tortuous, cunning sequel to The Ice Cream Girls that takes you into the life of Poppy Carlisle’s brother, Logan, who is consumed with vindication, revenge, and an all-consuming love affair with Serena Gorringe’s daughter, Verity.
The prose is tight and intense. The characters are secretive, scarred, and troubled. And the plot told from multiple perspectives and using a past/present, back-and-forth style builds and unravels quickly into an ominous tale filled with deep-seated resentments, suspicious motivations, shocking revelations, familial drama, deception, lies, obsession, abuse, and violence.
Overall, All My Lies Are True is an unsettling, clever, riveting tale by Koomson that delves into the long-reaching, enduring emotional and psychological damage caused by traumatic events and highlights just how easily dominance, intimidation, and manipulation can be masked as love.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All My Lies Are True is the tortuous, cunning sequel to The Ice Cream Girls that takes you into the life of Poppy Carlisle’s brother, Logan, who is consumed with vindication, revenge, and an all-consuming love affair with Serena Gorringe’s daughter, Verity.
The prose is tight and intense. The characters are secretive, scarred, and troubled. And the plot told from multiple perspectives and using a past/present, back-and-forth style builds and unravels quickly into an ominous tale filled with deep-seated resentments, suspicious motivations, shocking revelations, familial drama, deception, lies, obsession, abuse, and violence.
Overall, All My Lies Are True is an unsettling, clever, riveting tale by Koomson that delves into the long-reaching, enduring emotional and psychological damage caused by traumatic events and highlights just how easily dominance, intimidation, and manipulation can be masked as love.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2020
Que livro maravilhoso!
Tive a minha estreia com esta autora quando li o primeiro livro desta história, “Um erro inocente” e na altura não fiquei fã! Quando ainda tinha lido poucos capítulos achei que já tinha percebido tudo que se tinha passado e foi essa linha que a história seguiu, não houve surpresas nem mistério!
Na altura não percebi o porquê de um segundo livro, a trama ficou resolvido para o leitor e aparentemente as protagonistas ficaram em paz!
Este “Vidas adiadas” foi uma caixa de surpresas!
Com dez anos de diferença, até a evolução da escrita é notória!
Já se sabia (pela sinopse) que este livro ia ser mais centrado na Verity, filha da Serena, mas no decorrer da história revemos as personagens do primeiro livros e percebemos que nem tudo ficou resolvido como parecia!
Até que a Verity é acusado de tentativa de homicídio e fica tudo muito estranho!
Não percebemos quem mente, quem não mente!
Uma personagem desaparece e não sabemos nada dela!
A autora foi fantástica escreveu tudo de uma forma ambígua levando-nos a especular e a querer ler sem parar para descobrir a verdade!
Mistério e surpresas não faltam, capítulos curtos (que eu adoro) e uma história interessante que nos agarra e que permite não só viver esta história como reviver o que a Poppi e a Serena passaram porque acaba tudo por estar interligado e finalmente deixar essas personagens viver em paz...
...ou não!
Sim a Verity no final faz-nos uma revelação 😲 que nos deixa estupefactos!
Será presságio para um terceiro livros em torno “das meninas do gelado”?
Tive a minha estreia com esta autora quando li o primeiro livro desta história, “Um erro inocente” e na altura não fiquei fã! Quando ainda tinha lido poucos capítulos achei que já tinha percebido tudo que se tinha passado e foi essa linha que a história seguiu, não houve surpresas nem mistério!
Na altura não percebi o porquê de um segundo livro, a trama ficou resolvido para o leitor e aparentemente as protagonistas ficaram em paz!
Este “Vidas adiadas” foi uma caixa de surpresas!
Com dez anos de diferença, até a evolução da escrita é notória!
Já se sabia (pela sinopse) que este livro ia ser mais centrado na Verity, filha da Serena, mas no decorrer da história revemos as personagens do primeiro livros e percebemos que nem tudo ficou resolvido como parecia!
Até que a Verity é acusado de tentativa de homicídio e fica tudo muito estranho!
Não percebemos quem mente, quem não mente!
Uma personagem desaparece e não sabemos nada dela!
A autora foi fantástica escreveu tudo de uma forma ambígua levando-nos a especular e a querer ler sem parar para descobrir a verdade!
Mistério e surpresas não faltam, capítulos curtos (que eu adoro) e uma história interessante que nos agarra e que permite não só viver esta história como reviver o que a Poppi e a Serena passaram porque acaba tudo por estar interligado e finalmente deixar essas personagens viver em paz...
...ou não!
Sim a Verity no final faz-nos uma revelação 😲 que nos deixa estupefactos!
Será presságio para um terceiro livros em torno “das meninas do gelado”?
July 9, 2021
Νιώθω ότι το all my lies are true είναι από αυτά τα βιβλία που σε κάνουν να πεις, "ναι, τώρα μάλιστα. ΑΥΤΟ είναι ψυχολογικό θρίλερ". Αν και θα έλεγα ότι είναι πολλά περισσότερα από ένα ψυχολογικό θρίλερ βασισμένο στα ψέματα και την απόκρυψη της αλήθειας. Είναι ένα ψυχογράφιμα χαρακτήρων και μια σφαιρική ματιά στις καταχρηστικές σχέσεις.
Η Koomson έχει χειριστεί με εξαιρετική μαεστρία τόσο τους χαρακτήρες της όσο και την υπόθεσή της για να αναδείξει για ένα, δυστυχώς, πάντα επίκαιρο θέμα. Μέσα στο βιβλίο της μιλάει τόσο για της σωματικά όσο και για τις ψυχικά βίαιες σχέσεις και παρουσιάζει το πόσο εύκολα μπορεί να παραβλέψουμε κάποια σημάδια ενός καταχρηστικού ατόμου ακόμα κι αν πιστεύουμε ότι μπορούμε να τα αναγνωρίσουμε. Ένα από τα άτομα που βρίσκονται σε μια τέτοια σχέση είναι μια νεαρή, δυναμική, ανεξάρτητη γυναίκα και θεωρώ πολύ σημαντικό να συνειδητοποιήσουμε ότι δεν είναι μόνο ένα είδος γυναίκας που μπορεί να πέσει θύμα ενός τέτοιου άντρα.
Εξίσου σημαντικό είναι το γεγονός ότι παρουσιάζει μια καταχρηστική, βίαιη σχέση όπου το θύμα είναι άντρας και η θύτης γυναίκα, αναδεικνύοντας το στίγμα και τη ντροπή που οδηγούν στη σιωπή του θύματος με τραγικά αποτελέσματα.
Αυτά είναι θέματα με τα οποία η συγγραφέας είχε ασχοληθεί και στο πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς, όμως σε αυτό το βιβλίο παρουσιάζονται και σχολιάζονται πιο σωστά, κατά τη γνώμη μου. Μετά και από αυτό το βιβλίο δηλώνω ένθερμη αναγνώστρια της Koomson και ανυπομονώ για το νέο της βιβλίο που κυκλοφορεί αύριο με τίτλο I know what you've done.
Η Koomson έχει χειριστεί με εξαιρετική μαεστρία τόσο τους χαρακτήρες της όσο και την υπόθεσή της για να αναδείξει για ένα, δυστυχώς, πάντα επίκαιρο θέμα. Μέσα στο βιβλίο της μιλάει τόσο για της σωματικά όσο και για τις ψυχικά βίαιες σχέσεις και παρουσιάζει το πόσο εύκολα μπορεί να παραβλέψουμε κάποια σημάδια ενός καταχρηστικού ατόμου ακόμα κι αν πιστεύουμε ότι μπορούμε να τα αναγνωρίσουμε. Ένα από τα άτομα που βρίσκονται σε μια τέτοια σχέση είναι μια νεαρή, δυναμική, ανεξάρτητη γυναίκα και θεωρώ πολύ σημαντικό να συνειδητοποιήσουμε ότι δεν είναι μόνο ένα είδος γυναίκας που μπορεί να πέσει θύμα ενός τέτοιου άντρα.
Εξίσου σημαντικό είναι το γεγονός ότι παρουσιάζει μια καταχρηστική, βίαιη σχέση όπου το θύμα είναι άντρας και η θύτης γυναίκα, αναδεικνύοντας το στίγμα και τη ντροπή που οδηγούν στη σιωπή του θύματος με τραγικά αποτελέσματα.
Αυτά είναι θέματα με τα οποία η συγγραφέας είχε ασχοληθεί και στο πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς, όμως σε αυτό το βιβλίο παρουσιάζονται και σχολιάζονται πιο σωστά, κατά τη γνώμη μου. Μετά και από αυτό το βιβλίο δηλώνω ένθερμη αναγνώστρια της Koomson και ανυπομονώ για το νέο της βιβλίο που κυκλοφορεί αύριο με τίτλο I know what you've done.
October 5, 2020
Suspense novel set mainly BRIGHTON/HOVE
Have you read any novels by Dorothy Koomson before? If you have, you know that what I am about to write is going to be really positive. And if you haven’t, then maybe it’s time to pick up one of her books!
All My Lies Are True is billed as a sequel to The Ice Cream Girls, the story of Poppy and Serena who, in their mid teens, were charged with the murder of their teacher. Poppy was found guilty and was given a lengthy prison sentence. Serena got off scot free (or, as free as anyone can be with the cloud of suspicion like this hanging over them). Now, Serena appears to have it all, a marriage to a doctor, a great house, a daughter….
No individual can go through such trauma without consequences, and the nearest and dearest similarly have pieces to pick up. The ripple effect of being associated with a violent crime is actually phenomenal. Poppy’s brother Logan never really gets back on track and early in the book he is intent on getting Serena to own up to the crime. He has become obsessed with the notion, and with obsession comes warped thinking – he sets his sights on Serena’s daughter, Verity.
The author builds in all kinds of facets that make this a well thought out read. Imagine the notion that Marcus, the dead teacher, markedly resembled Logan – that could certainly be a psychological can of worms. There is also considerable dark human behaviour and it is clear that one person’s ‘truth’ is not automatically the same truth for another person (and that of course is why we have the courts of law!).
It is in many ways a brutal story but it is also a story of people and life…..
Do you need to read the prequel The Ice Cream Girls? This book is fine if you don’t know the story in the original book because the author fills in the gaps, so that this works as a stand alone novel. However, I do think that reading The Ice Cream Girls first will make reading this novel a richer experience.
I listened to this on Audio. I am a great fan of audiobooks because certainly during lockdown stories have accompanied me on lengthy walks and that has been a true pleasure. I am not altogether sure that this book – which comes in at around 450 pages and 15 hours of listening time – is quite the ideal choice. I got really confused as the characters (albeit with different voices) all jostled for position at the beginning and it was quite hard to keep track.
Have you read any novels by Dorothy Koomson before? If you have, you know that what I am about to write is going to be really positive. And if you haven’t, then maybe it’s time to pick up one of her books!
All My Lies Are True is billed as a sequel to The Ice Cream Girls, the story of Poppy and Serena who, in their mid teens, were charged with the murder of their teacher. Poppy was found guilty and was given a lengthy prison sentence. Serena got off scot free (or, as free as anyone can be with the cloud of suspicion like this hanging over them). Now, Serena appears to have it all, a marriage to a doctor, a great house, a daughter….
No individual can go through such trauma without consequences, and the nearest and dearest similarly have pieces to pick up. The ripple effect of being associated with a violent crime is actually phenomenal. Poppy’s brother Logan never really gets back on track and early in the book he is intent on getting Serena to own up to the crime. He has become obsessed with the notion, and with obsession comes warped thinking – he sets his sights on Serena’s daughter, Verity.
The author builds in all kinds of facets that make this a well thought out read. Imagine the notion that Marcus, the dead teacher, markedly resembled Logan – that could certainly be a psychological can of worms. There is also considerable dark human behaviour and it is clear that one person’s ‘truth’ is not automatically the same truth for another person (and that of course is why we have the courts of law!).
It is in many ways a brutal story but it is also a story of people and life…..
Do you need to read the prequel The Ice Cream Girls? This book is fine if you don’t know the story in the original book because the author fills in the gaps, so that this works as a stand alone novel. However, I do think that reading The Ice Cream Girls first will make reading this novel a richer experience.
I listened to this on Audio. I am a great fan of audiobooks because certainly during lockdown stories have accompanied me on lengthy walks and that has been a true pleasure. I am not altogether sure that this book – which comes in at around 450 pages and 15 hours of listening time – is quite the ideal choice. I got really confused as the characters (albeit with different voices) all jostled for position at the beginning and it was quite hard to keep track.
July 17, 2020
Este livro é a sequela de Um Erro Inocente e onde encontramos Serena e Poppy, as famosas meninas do gelado, 10 anos após a acção presente do livro anterior. Mas, para além destas duas personagens, temos também como protagonista, Verity, a filha de Serena. E são estas três personagens, com mais ligações entre si, do que julgam, que são o ponto central da história.
Encontramos uma história rica e bastante intrincada, e onde, às páginas tantas, já não sabemos o que é verdade e o que é mentira.
Neste novo livro, vamos percebemos ainda melhor as implicações que o caso das meninas do gelado, teve não só nas vidas e inseguranças de Serena e Poppy mas também de como afectou a vidas das suas famílias. Para além disso, temos também explorado, e do forma brilhante, relações abusivas, os traumas e os dilemas e consequências das nossas mentiras ou verdades. Tudo misturado com desconfianças familiares e ainda um pontinha de romance mais picante 😉
Uma história brilhante, cheia de voltas e reviravoltas, onde desconfiamos de tudo e de todos, e que nos deixa agarrados desta a primeira à última página, ou melhor, à última linha, porque, muito sinceramente, aquele final foi surpreendente. Uma montanha-russa de emoções!
Encontramos uma história rica e bastante intrincada, e onde, às páginas tantas, já não sabemos o que é verdade e o que é mentira.
Neste novo livro, vamos percebemos ainda melhor as implicações que o caso das meninas do gelado, teve não só nas vidas e inseguranças de Serena e Poppy mas também de como afectou a vidas das suas famílias. Para além disso, temos também explorado, e do forma brilhante, relações abusivas, os traumas e os dilemas e consequências das nossas mentiras ou verdades. Tudo misturado com desconfianças familiares e ainda um pontinha de romance mais picante 😉
Uma história brilhante, cheia de voltas e reviravoltas, onde desconfiamos de tudo e de todos, e que nos deixa agarrados desta a primeira à última página, ou melhor, à última linha, porque, muito sinceramente, aquele final foi surpreendente. Uma montanha-russa de emoções!
July 9, 2020
Powerful, addictive & unforgettable!
Ever wonder what happened to The Ice Cream Girls? I certainly did their story was incredibly powerful and really stayed with me long after I had turned the last page 10 years ago. It is a treasured book and one I always recommend. When I heard Koomson was penning a sequel my excitement was palpable and it instantly became my most anticipated read of 2020.
I am over the moon to report All My Lies Are True is every bit as affecting, tense, emotional & unputdownable as the first. I was so lucky to get my mitts on an early copy, I will be forever thankful Tandem gang!
Koomson has a way of writing that gets under your skin and makes you feel all the feels goosebumps, madness, sadness, hopefulness, and those jaw-dropping twists (even on the very last line). No one does it better!
It is a thought-provoking, I can't-put-it-down rollercoaster of a read that will leave its mark. If you read one book this year make it this! I wholeheartedly recommend it - Buy it. Read it. Love it.
A huge thanks to Tandem Collective & Headline for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ever wonder what happened to The Ice Cream Girls? I certainly did their story was incredibly powerful and really stayed with me long after I had turned the last page 10 years ago. It is a treasured book and one I always recommend. When I heard Koomson was penning a sequel my excitement was palpable and it instantly became my most anticipated read of 2020.
I am over the moon to report All My Lies Are True is every bit as affecting, tense, emotional & unputdownable as the first. I was so lucky to get my mitts on an early copy, I will be forever thankful Tandem gang!
Koomson has a way of writing that gets under your skin and makes you feel all the feels goosebumps, madness, sadness, hopefulness, and those jaw-dropping twists (even on the very last line). No one does it better!
It is a thought-provoking, I can't-put-it-down rollercoaster of a read that will leave its mark. If you read one book this year make it this! I wholeheartedly recommend it - Buy it. Read it. Love it.
A huge thanks to Tandem Collective & Headline for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 22, 2020
I was so lucky to be invited to participate in a read-along for All My Lies Are before the publishing day alongside a lovely group of bookstagrammers! Thank you so much to Headline Books, Dorothy Koomson and Tandem Collective for sending me a copy and organising the read-along!
I definitely felt a lot of tension throughout the book and for it having quite a lot of pages I completed it quickly! I was hooked right from the start and as I read more I found myself invested in the characters and their futures. I must say Dorothy Koomson did a fabulous job building suspense all the way through until the very end. In my opinion, I enjoyed this book more than the first.
I don't want to say anymore because I'm afraid a spoiler will slip so you will just have to go and read this one yourself! Enjoy!
I definitely felt a lot of tension throughout the book and for it having quite a lot of pages I completed it quickly! I was hooked right from the start and as I read more I found myself invested in the characters and their futures. I must say Dorothy Koomson did a fabulous job building suspense all the way through until the very end. In my opinion, I enjoyed this book more than the first.
I don't want to say anymore because I'm afraid a spoiler will slip so you will just have to go and read this one yourself! Enjoy!
February 15, 2021
Awfull
I read the ice cream girls, and really liked it. This sequel is so disappointing, I ended up skipping through most of it.
The plot was long and boring, and the end completely unbelievable.
The characters, who were so good in the ice cream girls, were awfull, dull, self obesssed, and unlikable.
But most annoyingly almost everyone was either an abuser, being abused, thinking they were being abused,or had been abused, it was ridiculous.
I read the ice cream girls, and really liked it. This sequel is so disappointing, I ended up skipping through most of it.
The plot was long and boring, and the end completely unbelievable.
The characters, who were so good in the ice cream girls, were awfull, dull, self obesssed, and unlikable.
But most annoyingly almost everyone was either an abuser, being abused, thinking they were being abused,or had been abused, it was ridiculous.
August 6, 2020
Opinião no canal: https://youtu.be/DC6LG_cp7to
January 21, 2021
Really disappointed went on and on forced myself to read it Unbelievable in part and wish I’d just left it at The Ice Cream Girls Could not recommend
December 26, 2020
Mind is blown.
What on earth have I just read?
Feel like I've been on a rollercoaster, just so much ooomph packed into this book.
Completely unexpected revelations.
Just wow.
This is absorbing, enthralling reading that grabs you by the scruff of your neck and just won't let you go. It took about 100 pages for me to full get into the book at which point the world could have ended and I may not have noticed.
I was just drawn into the lives of Poppy, Serena, Verity, Logan and their families. The viewpoint changes with almost every chapter and its always rather clear.
This may be a sequel to The Ice Cream Girls, which I know I read and loved when it first came out 10 years ago, but honestly couldn't remember the details of, so in part this was as much a standalone in my mind and it worked so so well.
The way this story unfolded, the way you see it happening from many perspectives, but at the same time you are never are sure who is telling the truth, what is being twisted, and well the title my feel like a contradiction but it is also entirely correct - and it will become apparent as you read.
There is no way in a million years that I can do this book justice with a mere review, you are best reading it for yourself if it even remotely appeals as you won't be disappointed.
Just Wow!
Thank you to EDPR for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
What on earth have I just read?
Feel like I've been on a rollercoaster, just so much ooomph packed into this book.
Completely unexpected revelations.
Just wow.
This is absorbing, enthralling reading that grabs you by the scruff of your neck and just won't let you go. It took about 100 pages for me to full get into the book at which point the world could have ended and I may not have noticed.
I was just drawn into the lives of Poppy, Serena, Verity, Logan and their families. The viewpoint changes with almost every chapter and its always rather clear.
This may be a sequel to The Ice Cream Girls, which I know I read and loved when it first came out 10 years ago, but honestly couldn't remember the details of, so in part this was as much a standalone in my mind and it worked so so well.
The way this story unfolded, the way you see it happening from many perspectives, but at the same time you are never are sure who is telling the truth, what is being twisted, and well the title my feel like a contradiction but it is also entirely correct - and it will become apparent as you read.
There is no way in a million years that I can do this book justice with a mere review, you are best reading it for yourself if it even remotely appeals as you won't be disappointed.
Just Wow!
Thank you to EDPR for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
October 13, 2021
I had this feeling when I bought the book. Reading it just confirmed that feeling. This book is just unnecessary. It may seem harsh, but it's exactly what I feel. It adds nothing new to Serena and Poppy's story. Actually, it even ends up destroying the extraordinary ending of the last book, which felt just so right.
Everything Serena and Poppy had achieved in the end of the first book, Koomson had to undo in order for this book to even stand a chance. They had already moved on, accepted their past, made peace with it and where now looking for a future that could give them some hapinness. They had got their closure, which was exactly what they needed. In order to write this book, Koomson had to force them to give up on that closure that was so right in a way that doesn't really make much sense. They just wake up one day and decide "Oh, wait. I actually didn't get the closure I needed. How can I when me being unhappy and suffering is of the upmost importace to allow the book to have the drama it needs?". They are very right, you know? Without them still unable to move oneafter spending ten years happy after getting the closure they needed, but who is counting, right?! the book wouldn't have half the drama it had. And it had very little drama as it was, so half of it would be pretty much none.
You may be wondering how could it have no drama without Serena and Poppy going back to not having their closure if the story wasn't even about them. That's because although we could try to not see them as main characters, they were the reason for everything and no matter how much the plot tried to run away from them, it would inevitably go back to them and their unsolved past. And in part I am thankful that's true, because every time it would try to run away from them and focus on Verity and Logan it would just get... annoying.
Don't get me wrong, the idea has potential and it's something we need to raise awareness about, but it was so freaking obvious that it actually hurt. Obviously, the story would repeat itself. What would be the fun if that didn't happen? Annoying or not, obvious or not, what's a fact is that when the book reached its climax I was on the egde of my seat, there's no way of denying it. But I wasn't surprised, just worried, because although I knew how things woukd turn out, I was still scared for the characters.
Which says more about Koomson's writing style and her capacity to make the readers feel every single emotions she wants us to feel than the chracters themselves, which were rather bland. It didn't get to the cliche level, but they were without doubt bland.
There's things Koomson did right, though, and one in particular that I am really, really glad she chose to include in the book. However, that's the one I will speak about lastly, because I think the matter is far too important to get lost in the middle of the others.
So, first thing I think Koomson did right. Jack. His appearence was obvious, I mean I would be disappointed if he didn't show up. What was even the point then? I do think he could have been used to add more drama, though. I mean Poppy barely shared three words with him and with Serena it was kind of a side plotline that got almost no attention at all, when it could have been a main part of Serena's path to find closureagain. Anyway, although I think some of his potential was wasted, I do like what she did with him and the twist she gave to the uncover of the truth and which reminded me why I love her books.
The second thing I liked was that ending. It is just perfect. Once again the characters managed to get their closure and to accept their mistakes and to learn to live with them. It's not a perfect happily ever after ending, just like first wasn't. It leaves questions without answer, problems needing solving. It is not the ending of a book that Koomson wrote. She wrote the end of a chapter in Poppy and Serena's lives and their families', to which will follow another and another with their own problems to be solved. It's the end of a chapter of their lives and so it isn't perfect, it isn't a happily ever after because there's no such thing in real life. New problems will follow sooner or later, but there's always time to celebrate between chapters. So, no, the ending isn't perfect, but it is the perfect ending for this chapter of their lives.
And now the last thing I liked and by far the most important matter. As I said story repeats itself. You couldn't really be expecting anything else, could you? But this book also has something the first one didn't. Domestic abuse and violent relationships don't always have the woman as the victim. Koomson reminds us of that in this book and that's something I believe more authors should try to do. The number of women suffering from domestic abuse and in violent relationships is so much higher than the men's that we often end up forgetting that men suffer from that too. Which cannot happen because they deserve just as much help as women. There has to be more people figthing against the idea that only women can be the victims, so men can get help in cases like this more easily. Raising awareness for both sides of the problem is of the upmost importance and I think Koomson did great by bringing that matter up in her book. Even if she never gave the matter never got much "screen time" when it was brought up, she did bring it up several times, giving it a little time to "shine" in every single one, adreesing it with all the attention and seriousness it deserved, which perhaps was even better as Koomson was capable of making sure we didn't forget about it through the book.
Overall, sure the book had great things in it. But although I liked the twist, was Jack really necessary? And I can find an ending in every single one of Koomson's books. The only thing that I liked and that was actually unique was the third and she could have perfectly write a new book, with a new set of characters to talk about that. Which means that even if I did like all that, I still think this book was unnecessary, especially because for all its lenght it robbed Serena and Poppy the closure they had fought so hard to get in the first book.
SCORE: 2.75 out of 5.00 stars
You can also find this review on blog
Everything Serena and Poppy had achieved in the end of the first book, Koomson had to undo in order for this book to even stand a chance. They had already moved on, accepted their past, made peace with it and where now looking for a future that could give them some hapinness. They had got their closure, which was exactly what they needed. In order to write this book, Koomson had to force them to give up on that closure that was so right in a way that doesn't really make much sense. They just wake up one day and decide "Oh, wait. I actually didn't get the closure I needed. How can I when me being unhappy and suffering is of the upmost importace to allow the book to have the drama it needs?". They are very right, you know? Without them still unable to move one
You may be wondering how could it have no drama without Serena and Poppy going back to not having their closure if the story wasn't even about them. That's because although we could try to not see them as main characters, they were the reason for everything and no matter how much the plot tried to run away from them, it would inevitably go back to them and their unsolved past. And in part I am thankful that's true, because every time it would try to run away from them and focus on Verity and Logan it would just get... annoying.
Don't get me wrong, the idea has potential and it's something we need to raise awareness about, but it was so freaking obvious that it actually hurt. Obviously, the story would repeat itself. What would be the fun if that didn't happen? Annoying or not, obvious or not, what's a fact is that when the book reached its climax I was on the egde of my seat, there's no way of denying it. But I wasn't surprised, just worried, because although I knew how things woukd turn out, I was still scared for the characters.
Which says more about Koomson's writing style and her capacity to make the readers feel every single emotions she wants us to feel than the chracters themselves, which were rather bland. It didn't get to the cliche level, but they were without doubt bland.
There's things Koomson did right, though, and one in particular that I am really, really glad she chose to include in the book. However, that's the one I will speak about lastly, because I think the matter is far too important to get lost in the middle of the others.
So, first thing I think Koomson did right. Jack. His appearence was obvious, I mean I would be disappointed if he didn't show up. What was even the point then? I do think he could have been used to add more drama, though. I mean Poppy barely shared three words with him and with Serena it was kind of a side plotline that got almost no attention at all, when it could have been a main part of Serena's path to find closure
The second thing I liked was that ending. It is just perfect. Once again the characters managed to get their closure and to accept their mistakes and to learn to live with them. It's not a perfect happily ever after ending, just like first wasn't. It leaves questions without answer, problems needing solving. It is not the ending of a book that Koomson wrote. She wrote the end of a chapter in Poppy and Serena's lives and their families', to which will follow another and another with their own problems to be solved. It's the end of a chapter of their lives and so it isn't perfect, it isn't a happily ever after because there's no such thing in real life. New problems will follow sooner or later, but there's always time to celebrate between chapters. So, no, the ending isn't perfect, but it is the perfect ending for this chapter of their lives.
And now the last thing I liked and by far the most important matter. As I said story repeats itself. You couldn't really be expecting anything else, could you? But this book also has something the first one didn't. Domestic abuse and violent relationships don't always have the woman as the victim. Koomson reminds us of that in this book and that's something I believe more authors should try to do. The number of women suffering from domestic abuse and in violent relationships is so much higher than the men's that we often end up forgetting that men suffer from that too. Which cannot happen because they deserve just as much help as women. There has to be more people figthing against the idea that only women can be the victims, so men can get help in cases like this more easily. Raising awareness for both sides of the problem is of the upmost importance and I think Koomson did great by bringing that matter up in her book. Even if she never gave the matter never got much "screen time" when it was brought up, she did bring it up several times, giving it a little time to "shine" in every single one, adreesing it with all the attention and seriousness it deserved, which perhaps was even better as Koomson was capable of making sure we didn't forget about it through the book.
Overall, sure the book had great things in it. But although I liked the twist, was Jack really necessary? And I can find an ending in every single one of Koomson's books. The only thing that I liked and that was actually unique was the third and she could have perfectly write a new book, with a new set of characters to talk about that. Which means that even if I did like all that, I still think this book was unnecessary, especially because for all its lenght it robbed Serena and Poppy the closure they had fought so hard to get in the first book.
SCORE: 2.75 out of 5.00 stars
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January 29, 2023
This was so good I read all 560 pages in 24 hours 😂 it definitely needs to be read soon after The Ice Cream Girls as if you forget any of the names or relationships then the shock factor will be missing! Really enjoyed the conclusion of Poppy and Serena’s story and there was even a twist in the very last line of the book 😱😍
November 21, 2020
This particular author was once a strong favorite of mine when I started reading as I just loved her books like Goodnight, Beautiful and Marshmallows for Breakfast and of course who could forget The Ice-Cream Girls, but then her next set of books released I found I couldn't get into them and then her second to the latest The Brighton Mermaid, I enjoyed and so I couldn't wait to read All My Lies Are True. I wasn't sure what this book would be about but imagine my excitement levels when I discovered it was a sequel to the amazing book The Ice-Cream Girls with Poppy and Serena thirty years later. Those who read The Ice-Cream girls will remember how teenagers Poppy and Serena were arrested for the murder of the teacher Marcus. Poppy ended up going to jail and sentenced and Serena got off scot-free. Poppy from a poorer white family and Serena from a wealthy black family. Ten years later Poppy was released from prison and went to confront Serena - that was in The Ice-Cream Girls. Now twenty years later Serena's daughter Verity meets Logan Carlisle - Poppy's younger brother as he wants Serena to admit that she did it not Poppy. Verity and Logan start spending time together and end up in a relationship. As the year goes on, we read as Logan wants Verity to tell their parents about them but she declines. This leads to Logan turning up half-dead to Verity's father's birthday party and then collapsing. Imagine Serena's surprise when Poppy walks in. So begins another twisted tale as Serena and Poppy's lives are intertwined again as The Ice-Cream Girls as Serena's daughter is on trial for the attempted murder of Logan. This book contains a lot of flashbacks to the girls' relationship with the teacher and their trials and what they went through. We also have a guest appearance near the end from Marcus's son Jack as remember in the first book when Marcus died his just ex-wife was pregnant with their baby boy. All My Lies Are True is a twisted tale of revenge and will keep you engrossed even though the book is a daunting size at 549 pages. However, depending on how fast you can read, it can be read as I read it in one sitting as I didn't want to put it down, and took me roughly about 4 hours to read from beginning to end.
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