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Telling Lies Online
ASIN moved from less recent edition
When her dating app decides she's a man, what's a lonely lesbian to do?
Jamie Richards is a scientist who embraces reason-- except when it comes to romance. Tired of her impulsive streak leaving her heartbroken, she's determined to do everything right the next time she's in love. But her resolve crumbles when a technical glitch matches her with perfection in Claire, a woman who lives on the opposite side of the country. Who is straight. And under the impression that Jamie's a guy. But Jamie can't help being smitten. Would one tiny lie be so terrible if it gets her closer to the woman of her dreams?
Claire Flores is a dreamer and a believer in signs, but she has a secret that keeps her cautious about love. All she wants is a picture-perfect family of her own, but she's never met a man who attracts her. Until now. Throwing caution to the wind, she goes from Portland to Boston to meet Jay, her online love. Instead she meets Jamie, his work colleague, who befriends her in Jay's unexpected absence. Claire's heart is aflutter. Jamie stirs up feelings Claire never knew possible, but how close can she get without having to admit that she's been lying to herself about her dreams all along?
What starts as a simple fib soon snowballs as Jamie fabricates increasingly ridiculous tales to keep her identity as Jay under wraps, until a comedy of errors threatens to topple the whole charade to the ground. Can true love prevail when it's founded on a lie?
When her dating app decides she's a man, what's a lonely lesbian to do?
Jamie Richards is a scientist who embraces reason-- except when it comes to romance. Tired of her impulsive streak leaving her heartbroken, she's determined to do everything right the next time she's in love. But her resolve crumbles when a technical glitch matches her with perfection in Claire, a woman who lives on the opposite side of the country. Who is straight. And under the impression that Jamie's a guy. But Jamie can't help being smitten. Would one tiny lie be so terrible if it gets her closer to the woman of her dreams?
Claire Flores is a dreamer and a believer in signs, but she has a secret that keeps her cautious about love. All she wants is a picture-perfect family of her own, but she's never met a man who attracts her. Until now. Throwing caution to the wind, she goes from Portland to Boston to meet Jay, her online love. Instead she meets Jamie, his work colleague, who befriends her in Jay's unexpected absence. Claire's heart is aflutter. Jamie stirs up feelings Claire never knew possible, but how close can she get without having to admit that she's been lying to herself about her dreams all along?
What starts as a simple fib soon snowballs as Jamie fabricates increasingly ridiculous tales to keep her identity as Jay under wraps, until a comedy of errors threatens to topple the whole charade to the ground. Can true love prevail when it's founded on a lie?
Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2016
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About the author
Miranda MacLeod
40 books462 followersOriginally from southern California, Miranda now lives in New England and writes heartfelt romances and romantic comedies featuring witty and charmingly flawed women that you'll want to marry. Or just grab a coffee with, if that's more your thing. Before becoming a writer, she spent way too many years in graduate school, worked in professional theater and film, and held temp jobs in just about every office building in downtown Boston. To find out about her upcoming releases, be sure to sign up for her mailing list or follow her on Goodreads!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
February 27, 2020
So many lies. Jamie lies to Claire. Claire lies to Claire. Not to mention the catfishing was so uncomfortable. Jamie full on kept manipulating Claire.
April 16, 2018
“Telling Lies Online” is, I think, the third book I’ve listened to that featured a straight woman being matched with a lesbian by a dating app. It also plays to the “fake relationship” plot line, but in this case the two women aren’t working together to deceive others.
In this book, the straight woman (MC Claire) isn’t initially shocked, because the lesbian (MC Jamie) decides to continue her online persona as Jay, allowing Claire to think that Jamie is Jay’s work colleague. Now, to continue further with this book, one has to be willing to consider both Jamie and Claire as fictional characters, with each doing things that are completely unrealistic, if not outright unlikable, for the purpose of entertaining the reader/listener with a silly comedy plot line.
Let’s face it: Claire is completely unrealistic. She changes jobs and moves to be near Jay, because she loves him, though she’s never (obviously) met him. Jamie of course, is actively lying to Claire because she’s the woman of her dreams. Really?
Ok, with belief properly suspended, and with agreeing not to evaluate or judge the actions of Jamie or Claire as we would anyone IRL, this is a pretty funny and cute book. Much of the credit to my enjoyment goes to the terrific narration by Stephanie Murphy, but I do want to chide her (and the author) for allowing some pretty poor audio quality onto the recording at multiple points. The author does a great job of having Jamie come up with various and increasingly ridiculous reasons for Jay not being around (e.g., “he” had to leave abruptly to research penguins!).
I think the author wanted to deliver something along the lines of a Cary Grant / Katherine Hepburn “screwball comedy” from the 1930s. There are some elements here: a farcical scenario, quick banter, and the romance develops despite a battle of the sexes. But, Claire is more clueless than hapless, and Jamie is more deceitful than conniving, so the effort falls short of where it might have been.
With a weak but entertaining story, and a lively but technically flawed narration, I rate “Telling Lies Online” 3* - meh.
In this book, the straight woman (MC Claire) isn’t initially shocked, because the lesbian (MC Jamie) decides to continue her online persona as Jay, allowing Claire to think that Jamie is Jay’s work colleague. Now, to continue further with this book, one has to be willing to consider both Jamie and Claire as fictional characters, with each doing things that are completely unrealistic, if not outright unlikable, for the purpose of entertaining the reader/listener with a silly comedy plot line.
Let’s face it: Claire is completely unrealistic. She changes jobs and moves to be near Jay, because she loves him, though she’s never (obviously) met him. Jamie of course, is actively lying to Claire because she’s the woman of her dreams. Really?
Ok, with belief properly suspended, and with agreeing not to evaluate or judge the actions of Jamie or Claire as we would anyone IRL, this is a pretty funny and cute book. Much of the credit to my enjoyment goes to the terrific narration by Stephanie Murphy, but I do want to chide her (and the author) for allowing some pretty poor audio quality onto the recording at multiple points. The author does a great job of having Jamie come up with various and increasingly ridiculous reasons for Jay not being around (e.g., “he” had to leave abruptly to research penguins!).
I think the author wanted to deliver something along the lines of a Cary Grant / Katherine Hepburn “screwball comedy” from the 1930s. There are some elements here: a farcical scenario, quick banter, and the romance develops despite a battle of the sexes. But, Claire is more clueless than hapless, and Jamie is more deceitful than conniving, so the effort falls short of where it might have been.
With a weak but entertaining story, and a lively but technically flawed narration, I rate “Telling Lies Online” 3* - meh.
February 17, 2016
Oh, what fun this digital age is turning out to be: catfishing, internet-trolling, and Gwen Stefani finding out that her husband Gavin Rossdale is cheating on her with the nanny from an unsecured iCloud account. Oh, the woes! Childhood dreams shattered! As if dating isn't complicated enough, let's just add a fun little layer of technological confusion to the equation and see how it pans out!
This digital digital get-down (Nsync, anyone?) turns out to be the living nightmare of the protagonist in this story, Jamie aka "Jay". Half of the novel, I wanted to throw homegirl a life preserver to save her from herself. The problem with lies is that you have to keep lying and lying even more. This is exactly what happens when the technological glitch (not Jamie's fault) turns into a Mt.Everest of lies (totally Jamie's fault). Strap on your hiking boots and pull out your trekking poles, folks. There's gonna be some hard climbing ahead!
What I appreciate the most about this debut novel by Miranda Macleod, is that the elements of this story are not presented in "black & white". The story exists somewhere in this beautiful grey space, which allows its readers to explore their own thoughts on some of the questions asked in this novel (wrong vs right, lies vs truth). The author also shows its readers in Telling Lies Online that appearances can be deceiving, especially when it comes to these "signs" that are referenced throughout the novel. What appears to be one thing, can turn out to be something entirely different, and this entirely different something can transpire and transform into the most wonderfully unexpected surprise. It's all just a matter of perspective, and perhaps, a little bit of nudging from fate.
And an added bonus, Telling Lies Online also features a pretty diverse cast. Bravo!
Macleod articulates this love story tenderly and with great care towards her characters, who experience the first stages of love and it's fragility. The pace and style of the writing are consistent and it's a gentle transition from chapter to chapter.
One helluva debut and a solid start, I would say. You bet I can't wait for the next novel!
This digital digital get-down (Nsync, anyone?) turns out to be the living nightmare of the protagonist in this story, Jamie aka "Jay". Half of the novel, I wanted to throw homegirl a life preserver to save her from herself. The problem with lies is that you have to keep lying and lying even more. This is exactly what happens when the technological glitch (not Jamie's fault) turns into a Mt.Everest of lies (totally Jamie's fault). Strap on your hiking boots and pull out your trekking poles, folks. There's gonna be some hard climbing ahead!
What I appreciate the most about this debut novel by Miranda Macleod, is that the elements of this story are not presented in "black & white". The story exists somewhere in this beautiful grey space, which allows its readers to explore their own thoughts on some of the questions asked in this novel (wrong vs right, lies vs truth). The author also shows its readers in Telling Lies Online that appearances can be deceiving, especially when it comes to these "signs" that are referenced throughout the novel. What appears to be one thing, can turn out to be something entirely different, and this entirely different something can transpire and transform into the most wonderfully unexpected surprise. It's all just a matter of perspective, and perhaps, a little bit of nudging from fate.
And an added bonus, Telling Lies Online also features a pretty diverse cast. Bravo!
Macleod articulates this love story tenderly and with great care towards her characters, who experience the first stages of love and it's fragility. The pace and style of the writing are consistent and it's a gentle transition from chapter to chapter.
One helluva debut and a solid start, I would say. You bet I can't wait for the next novel!
May 17, 2016
Let's be honest. This was very unrealistic.
A "straight" girl decides to move across the States for a 'man' she'd never met and doesn't even know his last name. Never even heard his voice, doesn't have his number, nothing. Okay then.
Then the 'man', who is actually a woman pretending to be a man - are you still following? - sees her? on the street. Just like that. Coincidence. First one. Okay, it happens sometimes. I guess.
Then they became bff, move in together, because the 'straight' girl - who is not so straight - has nowhere to go, then they quickly, I might say very quickly, fall in love, but of course stuff happens, the girl finds out her online boyfriend is actually her real girlfriend pretending to be her online boyfriend, she's mad for a while, then another coincidence happens and the rest is a history.
This whole book was such a unrealistic cliché. Also typical U-Haul kind of book, which I'm not a fan of.
And don't even let me start about the ending.
I'm giving this 2.5, but I have a soft spot for it, so I round it up to 3.
A "straight" girl decides to move across the States for a 'man' she'd never met and doesn't even know his last name. Never even heard his voice, doesn't have his number, nothing. Okay then.
Then the 'man', who is actually a woman pretending to be a man - are you still following? - sees her? on the street. Just like that. Coincidence. First one. Okay, it happens sometimes. I guess.
Then they became bff, move in together, because the 'straight' girl - who is not so straight - has nowhere to go, then they quickly, I might say very quickly, fall in love, but of course stuff happens, the girl finds out her online boyfriend is actually her real girlfriend pretending to be her online boyfriend, she's mad for a while, then another coincidence happens and the rest is a history.
This whole book was such a unrealistic cliché. Also typical U-Haul kind of book, which I'm not a fan of.
And don't even let me start about the ending.
I'm giving this 2.5, but I have a soft spot for it, so I round it up to 3.
February 23, 2016
I don't feel comfortable reading about a relationship based on lies. Moreover, lies over lies over lies. Of course, in the case of a funny comedy of errors all this is not only acceptable but welcome. But unfortunately this story is not a comedy. A fun read? Yes. A comedy? No.
January 18, 2024
Really nice story
April 23, 2018
2.5 stars. I didn't particularly enjoy this one as most of the book is focused on sustaining the lie rather than romance.
March 5, 2018
I liked the story. It was clever and fun, and I enjoyed the cast of characters. This is a feel-good book with quite a bit of angst. The narrator of the audiobook was outstanding.
June 23, 2018
A fun read - just don’t read too much into the optics.
February 23, 2016
Catfishing will get you nowhere but in a heap of trouble, even if it started off by accident. This book is centered on a computer glitch that leaves two women in precarious situation. This crazy novel is fun, and reminds us the truth will set you free.
Dr. Jamie “Jay” Richards is a climate scientist. While Jamie has had a rash of bad luck dating, she tends to always pick the Miss Wrong, but currently things are beginning to look up. She’s met someone amazing on an online dating site. This may finally be the lady she is looking for. Everything is going wonderful until an automated message turns the whole thing upside done. A malfunction in website led her match to believe Jay is a male, and her profile picture she’s wearing a cowboy hat doesn’t help dissuade this error.
Dr. Claire Flores is a professor of literature at a small college in Portland. She has spent her whole life trying to attain the high standards her great aunt has set for her. Nothing was ever good enough, and Claire was constantly reminded that her deceased parents would have expected more form her. Claire has spent her whole life feeling guilty, and wishing she had what her parents had. She has ideals of what her future should look like, and that does not include a wife, it includes a husband. She feels a connection to Jay, but if she knew Jay was a woman, all bets would be off.
Jay does the unthinkable and lets Claire believe that Jay is male. Claire decides on whim to take an interview for a job in Jay’s hometown of Boston. This is when things get crazy, and it keeps getting crazier.
This novel is light-heated and fun. It is perfect for a quite weekend, when you want to relax and unwind with a fun tale. You won’t be disappointed!
3.5 Stars
Dr. Jamie “Jay” Richards is a climate scientist. While Jamie has had a rash of bad luck dating, she tends to always pick the Miss Wrong, but currently things are beginning to look up. She’s met someone amazing on an online dating site. This may finally be the lady she is looking for. Everything is going wonderful until an automated message turns the whole thing upside done. A malfunction in website led her match to believe Jay is a male, and her profile picture she’s wearing a cowboy hat doesn’t help dissuade this error.
Dr. Claire Flores is a professor of literature at a small college in Portland. She has spent her whole life trying to attain the high standards her great aunt has set for her. Nothing was ever good enough, and Claire was constantly reminded that her deceased parents would have expected more form her. Claire has spent her whole life feeling guilty, and wishing she had what her parents had. She has ideals of what her future should look like, and that does not include a wife, it includes a husband. She feels a connection to Jay, but if she knew Jay was a woman, all bets would be off.
Jay does the unthinkable and lets Claire believe that Jay is male. Claire decides on whim to take an interview for a job in Jay’s hometown of Boston. This is when things get crazy, and it keeps getting crazier.
This novel is light-heated and fun. It is perfect for a quite weekend, when you want to relax and unwind with a fun tale. You won’t be disappointed!
3.5 Stars
April 19, 2017
The book's cover and the title suggest a light-hearted comedic romance. At least this is what I expected and maybe craved when I picked this up. I was hoping for a Shakespearean mix up like in The Tempest. However, this is not what the book is about.
Initially, this is all about that: A misunderstanding created by a bug on a dating site - a seemingly straight woman, Claire, falls for a woman she thinks of as male and a lesbian, Jamie, who falls for the straight woman whom she believes to be a lesbian. But as Jamie becomes aware of the misunderstanding she is reluctant, to tell the truth, and poses as a man (virtually of course). What makes her do that?
Is she a notorious liar or does she enjoy the conversations they have so much that she is reluctant to stop or does she have some other reason?
When Claire visits Jamie unexpectedly because of a job interview Jamie is in a fix. So she decides to deposit her alter ego to Antarctica, while she befriends her dream woman.
Does she like to torture herself, I asked myself? Why doesn't she come clean? Or is Claire a little less straight than she herself wants to believe?
So, I expected a lot of misunderstandings and muddle ups and funny if sometimes excruciating and hilarious situations and I did not exactly get that. It was not funny, it was more painful to see Jamie caught and twitching in her sticky net of lies. And I knew from the beginning that this whole thing could only blow up in her face.
Still, I liked it. I enjoyed the chemistry and the two characters were really loveable.
Initially, this is all about that: A misunderstanding created by a bug on a dating site - a seemingly straight woman, Claire, falls for a woman she thinks of as male and a lesbian, Jamie, who falls for the straight woman whom she believes to be a lesbian. But as Jamie becomes aware of the misunderstanding she is reluctant, to tell the truth, and poses as a man (virtually of course). What makes her do that?
Is she a notorious liar or does she enjoy the conversations they have so much that she is reluctant to stop or does she have some other reason?
When Claire visits Jamie unexpectedly because of a job interview Jamie is in a fix. So she decides to deposit her alter ego to Antarctica, while she befriends her dream woman.
Does she like to torture herself, I asked myself? Why doesn't she come clean? Or is Claire a little less straight than she herself wants to believe?
So, I expected a lot of misunderstandings and muddle ups and funny if sometimes excruciating and hilarious situations and I did not exactly get that. It was not funny, it was more painful to see Jamie caught and twitching in her sticky net of lies. And I knew from the beginning that this whole thing could only blow up in her face.
Still, I liked it. I enjoyed the chemistry and the two characters were really loveable.
April 11, 2023
I stuck it out until 77% but I can't take Jamie's insane lies and gaslighting or Claire's cluelessness and self-deception anymore. I'm actually angry at how awful Jamie (and Paul) are. At the very least, Jamie should be fired and hated forever by Claire and her sister. What a horrible human. Yes, I'm actually mad that I didn't look at any other reviews before wasting more than 6 hours of my life on this.
I will absolutely read the author again because I've enjoyed other works of hers but this one... no. Just no.
I will absolutely read the author again because I've enjoyed other works of hers but this one... no. Just no.
December 30, 2016
Normally I'd give this quality of writing a 3 or even 4 star review, but I struggled with the main concept of deceit by one of the main characters. I have to say, that killed the book for me.
I like the other books I've read of MacLeod's. They are fun romances with interesting ideas. She creates characters who have different jobs and are written like regular woman rather than superwomen. So if you've not ready any of MacLeod's books, try some of the others first.
I like the other books I've read of MacLeod's. They are fun romances with interesting ideas. She creates characters who have different jobs and are written like regular woman rather than superwomen. So if you've not ready any of MacLeod's books, try some of the others first.
June 3, 2023
Due to an online glitch on a dating website, Jamie's profile says shes a man, named Jay (her nickname). Before she realizes the glitch, she starts up a conversation with Caire, a beautiful woman. Claire thinks she's talking to a man, and when Jamie realizes what the glitch did, she doesn't tell Claire. Jamie lives in Boston, MA, and Claire lives in Portland, OR. One day Jamie sees Claire at her work, and then the fun begins! I couldn't put this book down! Definitely 5 stars!!
April 26, 2019
I am not sure I can describe the uncomfortable and upset feelings this novel brings out in me, how much the "telling lies online" title (complete with cute cover) sugarcoats what really goes on within its pages. All I could think of as I was reading are those very, very dated, offensive and false stereotypes about lesbians "tricking" straight women into having relationships.
"Jay" excusing her deliberately deceiving people is rather nauseating and just too much to overlook in a main character the reader is apparently supposed to like. It is true that we are all human and make mistakes when we like someone and that we might even be willing to do almost anything for love, but masquerading as someone you are not _and_ allowing that deception to continue (to the point the authorities get involved and innocent, unsuspecting people make donations to this imaginary person's "cause") goes way, way, way beyond a mistake.
I confess that I am letting my own personal experiences feed my anger over this book, but I would like to think that (with or without having ever been "catfished" by another person) anyone could see how wrong this is. How a relationship could successfully continue after something this serious happens sincerely puzzles me.
"Jay" excusing her deliberately deceiving people is rather nauseating and just too much to overlook in a main character the reader is apparently supposed to like. It is true that we are all human and make mistakes when we like someone and that we might even be willing to do almost anything for love, but masquerading as someone you are not _and_ allowing that deception to continue (to the point the authorities get involved and innocent, unsuspecting people make donations to this imaginary person's "cause") goes way, way, way beyond a mistake.
I confess that I am letting my own personal experiences feed my anger over this book, but I would like to think that (with or without having ever been "catfished" by another person) anyone could see how wrong this is. How a relationship could successfully continue after something this serious happens sincerely puzzles me.
January 15, 2021
3.5
Since I rarely rate low, I want to explain.
There are some cute things in this book. And if I think back to the ridiculous things I did for love, I can totally understand it. Who flies across the country to meet someone they've only spoken to online? *raises hand* Oh, even better, who flew across the country to try to get back the girl who broke her heart a month or so after that first flight? *raises hand again*
I wouldn't have done that for just anyone, but when there's that connection... yeah, there are plenty of people who do things that seem crazy from the outside.
My bigger challenges came from the support characters. They were entirely too easy on Jay.
At the same time, I did go into it with the mindset of it being slightly ridiculous and that helped. Overall, I still enjoyed the story.
Since I rarely rate low, I want to explain.
There are some cute things in this book. And if I think back to the ridiculous things I did for love, I can totally understand it. Who flies across the country to meet someone they've only spoken to online? *raises hand* Oh, even better, who flew across the country to try to get back the girl who broke her heart a month or so after that first flight? *raises hand again*
I wouldn't have done that for just anyone, but when there's that connection... yeah, there are plenty of people who do things that seem crazy from the outside.
My bigger challenges came from the support characters. They were entirely too easy on Jay.
At the same time, I did go into it with the mindset of it being slightly ridiculous and that helped. Overall, I still enjoyed the story.
January 2, 2020
I have to say, I really enjoyed this story, despite finding the characters utterly annoying at times, which I think is a testament to the author’s talent and the narrator’s too. Telling Lies Online is the story of a train wreck, you know it’s going to happen but you can’t help watching and you can’t prevent it. It’s unnerving and irritating. And yet, it’s very sweet too, go figure…
So, what’s the story? A technical glitch leads to a series of bad decisions. Jay and Claire have been online dating for a while, and both think they might have found The One. Only problem is, a bug changed Jay’s profile into a man’s. Claire is straight, or so she believes. In a totally unrealistic move, she decides to leave Portland (in Oregon) for Boston (on the other side of the country), where Jay lives. When she gets there, instead of telling her there was a bug on the dating website and she’s really a woman, Jay becomes Jamie and introduces herself as Jay’s colleague. She then uses everything she’s learnt about Claire during their months of chatting to woo her. I spent the whole book wanting to shake Jamie for missing so many opportunities to end her lies and Claire for being so gullible.
The most interesting thing about this novel, I think, it’s that it’s Miranda MacLeod‘s debut, and that she wrote it as part of NaNoWriMo. As she explains on her website, she wrote in a little over a month, it in not the best conditions (that’s part of the fun). I’ve read a couple of the books she wrote since and liked them a lot, which I find very encouraging for would-be authors.
So, what’s the story? A technical glitch leads to a series of bad decisions. Jay and Claire have been online dating for a while, and both think they might have found The One. Only problem is, a bug changed Jay’s profile into a man’s. Claire is straight, or so she believes. In a totally unrealistic move, she decides to leave Portland (in Oregon) for Boston (on the other side of the country), where Jay lives. When she gets there, instead of telling her there was a bug on the dating website and she’s really a woman, Jay becomes Jamie and introduces herself as Jay’s colleague. She then uses everything she’s learnt about Claire during their months of chatting to woo her. I spent the whole book wanting to shake Jamie for missing so many opportunities to end her lies and Claire for being so gullible.
The most interesting thing about this novel, I think, it’s that it’s Miranda MacLeod‘s debut, and that she wrote it as part of NaNoWriMo. As she explains on her website, she wrote in a little over a month, it in not the best conditions (that’s part of the fun). I’ve read a couple of the books she wrote since and liked them a lot, which I find very encouraging for would-be authors.
January 15, 2018
First of all, I think the most overwhelming thought with this one is that it is all so unrealistic. people tell lies on line all of the time, but... So this is based on the idea that an intelligent "Straight" woman goes all out and moves to be with a "Man" they have never met?
And then the other intelligent woman tells more and more lies to keep on with this woman who is allegedly straight and is half in love with a man she has never met?
Lies, lies and more lies.
The shame in this, is that MacLeod can write, and I will get another MacLeod at some point. There were lots of good things in here, but the bad points far outweigh the good ones.
And then the other intelligent woman tells more and more lies to keep on with this woman who is allegedly straight and is half in love with a man she has never met?
Lies, lies and more lies.
The shame in this, is that MacLeod can write, and I will get another MacLeod at some point. There were lots of good things in here, but the bad points far outweigh the good ones.
December 23, 2017
This was an okay read. The premise was promising and it would have worked for me if the initial error wasn't continuously compounded by deceit. There were some humorous bits and some very sweet moments but not enough to negate the secrets and lies. I know someone who has perpetrated this kind of deceit and someone else who has been on the receiving end and in both cases the results were heartbreaking so I don't think I am able to give an unbiased opinion.
November 15, 2019
Jamie surely had a lesson of a lifetime for the rest of her life, and that is not to lie. There were several moments I seriously was screaming "WTF dude!" If you thought it cannot get any worse...well it did.
It is pretty damn good story. Mellow read, or as in this case Listening. Stephanie is great voice for the narration.
It is pretty damn good story. Mellow read, or as in this case Listening. Stephanie is great voice for the narration.
June 12, 2019
This is a mini-review I wrote for a collection of Romance audiobooks with couples meeting online.
You know how people make themselves taller, sexier, smarter on dating sites? It’s so easy to pretend you’re the perfect partner, but an entirely different thing how you explain that away during a real first date. With no fault of her own (initially), lesbian Jamie falls in love online with a woman who thinks she’s talking to Jay, the man.
This story is absolutely adorable and I was wonderfully entertained. The narrator Stephanie Murphy was absolutely fantastic. I loved the way she brought Jamie to life!
You know how people make themselves taller, sexier, smarter on dating sites? It’s so easy to pretend you’re the perfect partner, but an entirely different thing how you explain that away during a real first date. With no fault of her own (initially), lesbian Jamie falls in love online with a woman who thinks she’s talking to Jay, the man.
This story is absolutely adorable and I was wonderfully entertained. The narrator Stephanie Murphy was absolutely fantastic. I loved the way she brought Jamie to life!
March 19, 2025
Decent story. The characters were likeable and annoying in equal parts.
It was a 3 star story but after knowing that this is Miranda MacLeod’s first book, I added one extra star because it’s actually a good first book.
One can read this book if looking for a light read with a sprinkle of angst.
It was a 3 star story but after knowing that this is Miranda MacLeod’s first book, I added one extra star because it’s actually a good first book.
One can read this book if looking for a light read with a sprinkle of angst.
March 10, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Inked Rainbow Reads in return for an honest review.
This is a story that I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own. I'm not one for reading that story about the lies people enmesh themselves with, compounding their initial mistake with lie after lie until the whole thing topples down around them in the inevitable crash that it was all headed for from the beginning little lie. I myself am rather painfully honest, so sometimes reading about people getting themselves into these situations agitates me, especially when I really like the character. It's almost like you want to smack them upside the face and yell at them to rip the bandaid off quickly. So I probably wouldn't have picked this book up on my own. And I would have missed out on a very entertaining read. Yes, there is that sense of inevitability to the direction of the story, because Jamie "Jay" Lee passes on several chances to 'fess up. And you can see the betrayal getting bigger and bigger, because Jamie is using insider knowledge to get closer to Claire.
The whole thing about this glitch with the dating chat site that Jay and Claire have both subscribed to is that it seems to bring fate into it. Even though I'm not sure that was a theme of the book itself. Because Claire seems to be lying to herself about her own sexuality, and the computer glitch is the only thing that allowed the two to actually connect in the first place. Claire seems extremely impetuous and not really very sensible. And both are hopeless romantics. So by the time we get to the big reveal, we're actually rooting for the two of them, and wanting to smack Claire upside the head instead of Jamie. I have to give MacLeod kudos for the scope of the spiraling events that lead to Jay finally revealing herself to Claire. I was in awe, and that series of events made the whole inevitability of the plotline worth reading through in and of itself.
In the end, it seems like Claire's "signs" help bring about a resolution that strikes me as really sweet, and again, kind of fated. Which is extremely romantic. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable story with likeable characters. And I'll be looking for this author's name in the future.
This is a story that I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own. I'm not one for reading that story about the lies people enmesh themselves with, compounding their initial mistake with lie after lie until the whole thing topples down around them in the inevitable crash that it was all headed for from the beginning little lie. I myself am rather painfully honest, so sometimes reading about people getting themselves into these situations agitates me, especially when I really like the character. It's almost like you want to smack them upside the face and yell at them to rip the bandaid off quickly. So I probably wouldn't have picked this book up on my own. And I would have missed out on a very entertaining read. Yes, there is that sense of inevitability to the direction of the story, because Jamie "Jay" Lee passes on several chances to 'fess up. And you can see the betrayal getting bigger and bigger, because Jamie is using insider knowledge to get closer to Claire.
The whole thing about this glitch with the dating chat site that Jay and Claire have both subscribed to is that it seems to bring fate into it. Even though I'm not sure that was a theme of the book itself. Because Claire seems to be lying to herself about her own sexuality, and the computer glitch is the only thing that allowed the two to actually connect in the first place. Claire seems extremely impetuous and not really very sensible. And both are hopeless romantics. So by the time we get to the big reveal, we're actually rooting for the two of them, and wanting to smack Claire upside the head instead of Jamie. I have to give MacLeod kudos for the scope of the spiraling events that lead to Jay finally revealing herself to Claire. I was in awe, and that series of events made the whole inevitability of the plotline worth reading through in and of itself.
In the end, it seems like Claire's "signs" help bring about a resolution that strikes me as really sweet, and again, kind of fated. Which is extremely romantic. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable story with likeable characters. And I'll be looking for this author's name in the future.
May 25, 2016
I think the part that bothered me the most about this book is that the main characters are not likable. Claire is a self-denial person whom can't make up her mind nor know exactly what she truly wanted. Jamie is...well, a coward and a liar.
But don't get me wrong, the author intentionally made them that way, otherwise, we wouldn't have a storyline anymore. Their flaws are compensated in the end when they finally learned their mistakes and won't commit it again. Yet, the story is frustratingly unenjoyable with their negative characteristics dominated more than 70% of the book, especially when everything seemed to work against Jamie in such an unrealistic way.
The main reason why Jamie lied to Claire is because she knew Claire won't give her a chance. But after both Jamie and Claire becomes more intimate with one another, Jamie still unable to say anything. It was as if the only thing that makes Jamie finally honest with Claire is because shit hits the fan, not because she wanted to tell Claire the truth. Okay, I get why she afraid to tell Claire the truth, it's not an easy thing to do after all. But...BUT, there are just so many chances, and Jamie simply passed it all up. She can't use the excuse of "but Claire won't give me a chance if I tell her the truth" anymore. She already passed that point, so anything beyond that is simply manipulative. The author knew that. Claire said it as well.
As for Claire and her signs, with so many coincidences that stacked up the scene, that led to where they are and how they end up. It is too cheesy for me to digest. The best part of the book is gotta be its ending. The ending is nice, is what I hoped for, and it delivered.
But don't get me wrong, the author intentionally made them that way, otherwise, we wouldn't have a storyline anymore. Their flaws are compensated in the end when they finally learned their mistakes and won't commit it again. Yet, the story is frustratingly unenjoyable with their negative characteristics dominated more than 70% of the book, especially when everything seemed to work against Jamie in such an unrealistic way.
The main reason why Jamie lied to Claire is because she knew Claire won't give her a chance. But after both Jamie and Claire becomes more intimate with one another, Jamie still unable to say anything. It was as if the only thing that makes Jamie finally honest with Claire is because shit hits the fan, not because she wanted to tell Claire the truth. Okay, I get why she afraid to tell Claire the truth, it's not an easy thing to do after all. But...BUT, there are just so many chances, and Jamie simply passed it all up. She can't use the excuse of "but Claire won't give me a chance if I tell her the truth" anymore. She already passed that point, so anything beyond that is simply manipulative. The author knew that. Claire said it as well.
As for Claire and her signs, with so many coincidences that stacked up the scene, that led to where they are and how they end up. It is too cheesy for me to digest. The best part of the book is gotta be its ending. The ending is nice, is what I hoped for, and it delivered.
May 6, 2016
hree Stars: f/f romance
I was sent this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
This book is well written and the author obviously a very competent writer. However I found the content full of lesbian stereotypical assumptions, even if they were written in an updated context. I also found the basis of the plot, personally, a little distasteful.
I felt from the outset that the outcome was very predictable and there were far to many coincidences to be genuine or real. For me there was not enough humour to make the plot acceptable and not serious enough to make it believable.
This was a book that was easy to read and would fill in a few hours of your time in a likeable enough manner. Personally I would have preferred much more substance and reality.
I was sent this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
This book is well written and the author obviously a very competent writer. However I found the content full of lesbian stereotypical assumptions, even if they were written in an updated context. I also found the basis of the plot, personally, a little distasteful.
I felt from the outset that the outcome was very predictable and there were far to many coincidences to be genuine or real. For me there was not enough humour to make the plot acceptable and not serious enough to make it believable.
This was a book that was easy to read and would fill in a few hours of your time in a likeable enough manner. Personally I would have preferred much more substance and reality.
June 22, 2022
This review is for the audio edition. This was not for me at all! This is what I get for not reading other reviews on this one before purchasing! The characters were just so unrealistic and the prevailing theme of dishonesty and their senseless expectations in trying to date online was not fun at all. And yes I know it's right there in the title but I thought it might be a fun little lighthearted comedy of errors that started with a mistake and cleared up quickly. It didn't. The deceit went on way too long and the story never really came together for me at all. I just found both MC's very unlikable; desperate and so whiny!
re: the narrator - I would say very average. it's so hard to rate a narrator when one just really dislikes the characters.
re: the narrator - I would say very average. it's so hard to rate a narrator when one just really dislikes the characters.
May 31, 2017
Telling LIES Online
Telling LIES Online is such an easy thing to be sucked into, I have been tempted to tell a dub online many times over the years. I guess this title just resonated with the memory of this to me and one other thought popped into my mind. I read "Dancing On the Danube". I enjoyed both of these books by Miranda MacLeod very much and would be very happy to read more of her books given the chance. I love beautiful realistic romance novels especially Lesbian Romance. I believe anyone that loves romance themed Lesbian fiction would surely enjoy this read. Best Wishes Miranda, I hope to read more of your lovely books soon.
Sky
Telling LIES Online is such an easy thing to be sucked into, I have been tempted to tell a dub online many times over the years. I guess this title just resonated with the memory of this to me and one other thought popped into my mind. I read "Dancing On the Danube". I enjoyed both of these books by Miranda MacLeod very much and would be very happy to read more of her books given the chance. I love beautiful realistic romance novels especially Lesbian Romance. I believe anyone that loves romance themed Lesbian fiction would surely enjoy this read. Best Wishes Miranda, I hope to read more of your lovely books soon.
Sky
July 15, 2018
Can true love prevail?
How.hard would it be for an honest person to tell the truth?? The author dares to explore in this farce comedy of errors story containing all the cliche jokes told about lesbians as said through the main characters. A good first time story but not a great story. I read it because the cover portrayed a comical fun quick read, but it got a bit too twisted with too many turns for me to enjoy as a lighthearted read about two lesbians who each desire true love but must first weave through their own deceptions to themselves in both having unrealistic expectations in trying to date online.
How.hard would it be for an honest person to tell the truth?? The author dares to explore in this farce comedy of errors story containing all the cliche jokes told about lesbians as said through the main characters. A good first time story but not a great story. I read it because the cover portrayed a comical fun quick read, but it got a bit too twisted with too many turns for me to enjoy as a lighthearted read about two lesbians who each desire true love but must first weave through their own deceptions to themselves in both having unrealistic expectations in trying to date online.
March 16, 2022
I actually really enjoyed this book, I know many people have struggled with the concept of the deciept in this story but the author does stress in the note at the start of this book that it is a lighthearted farcical comedy, so it really shouldn’t be taken all that seriously. No, it is not advocating that anyone should or even would really get caught up in all these lies but it does make for a good read seeing how far it can realistically be taken before everything implodes. I thought it was really well written and just the right level of believability to make you think it could all actually happen.
Well done Miranda MacLeod 😁
Well done Miranda MacLeod 😁
February 14, 2016
Fun and Quirky
I enjoyed reading about Jaime (Jay) and Claire and the crazy internet mix up that followed them throughout the story, though frustrated at times with Jamie's reasoning. Though Claire believed there was a sign for everything and Jaime disagreed, things couldn't have been more perfect. As secondary characters go, I think both Paul and Theresa were great. A really enjoyable and sometimes funny book.
I enjoyed reading about Jaime (Jay) and Claire and the crazy internet mix up that followed them throughout the story, though frustrated at times with Jamie's reasoning. Though Claire believed there was a sign for everything and Jaime disagreed, things couldn't have been more perfect. As secondary characters go, I think both Paul and Theresa were great. A really enjoyable and sometimes funny book.
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