What do you think?
Rate this book
Just Another Liar
He says he loves you. He says you’re the only one. He’s just another liar…
Three women love him. But he’s lying to them all.
Denise, Petra, and Anna all have their reasons for being alone.
But they’re not ready to share them.
David is the answer to all their problems.
But they’ve only met him online.
Each woman wants her happy ending.
But only one of them can get it.
One of these women will end up dead.
But which one? And will you ever work out who killed them?
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2022
56 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Mandy Byatt
2 books39 followersMandy Byatt lives in Cheshire and has recently completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. She has been shortlisted in the Gransnet/HQ novel competition and Woman & Home short story competition as well as longlisted in the HWA/Sharpe Books Unpublished Novel Award and Orange Pathé screenwriting competition. She was also a winner of a Radio 5 Live monologue competition. Just Another Liar is her debut novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
January 8, 2022
Just Another Liar
I loved the title! (And the book cover)
But, unfortunately that is all that I loved about this book!
Denise, Petra and Anna all think that Dr. David Kingfisher is “THE ONE”.
Each met him online, and they have all spoken with him on the phone, but he always has an excuse about why he cannot meet them in person. 🚩🚩🚩
Wise up, Ladies!
Unlikable characters and the gratuitous death of a pet dog sealed the deal on this two ⭐️ rating!
Unfortunately this isn’t a book that I can recommend. 😕
Thank You to Avon books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley, in exchange for a candid review!
I loved the title! (And the book cover)
But, unfortunately that is all that I loved about this book!
Denise, Petra and Anna all think that Dr. David Kingfisher is “THE ONE”.
Each met him online, and they have all spoken with him on the phone, but he always has an excuse about why he cannot meet them in person. 🚩🚩🚩
Wise up, Ladies!
Unlikable characters and the gratuitous death of a pet dog sealed the deal on this two ⭐️ rating!
Unfortunately this isn’t a book that I can recommend. 😕
Thank You to Avon books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley, in exchange for a candid review!
April 24, 2022
Three ladies.
One man.
Three different ladies who are looking for love, looking for their “happy ever after” is there such a thing?
And if so, can you find this online?
I found this quite interesting in that dating is many men/womens source for finding a partner.
We hear of the dangers, we read the dangers and we are aware of them…..we think.
Would I personally trust a dating site or someone online like this? God no!
These three women are in the net hook line and definitely sinker!
Who is this David who each time an arrangement is made with each individual woman he retracts it, excuses himself etc?
The dating of these women are each unknown from each other….until….
What happens when they find out?
What twist is in its tail?
This wasn’t mind blowing yet it was compulsive reading.
It’s like one of those films that you watch, enjoy at the time and bits where you get up and make a cup of tea, grab a biscuit and cosy down for the second half of the viewing hoping it gets better.
I’d say, it’s good, pleasant, and ok for a change of reading pace, not memorable in an eager way but sure to remember as an OK read.
It’s not a thriller so don’t expect much, but I went in blind and found it an OK read.
One man.
Three different ladies who are looking for love, looking for their “happy ever after” is there such a thing?
And if so, can you find this online?
I found this quite interesting in that dating is many men/womens source for finding a partner.
We hear of the dangers, we read the dangers and we are aware of them…..we think.
Would I personally trust a dating site or someone online like this? God no!
These three women are in the net hook line and definitely sinker!
Who is this David who each time an arrangement is made with each individual woman he retracts it, excuses himself etc?
The dating of these women are each unknown from each other….until….
What happens when they find out?
What twist is in its tail?
This wasn’t mind blowing yet it was compulsive reading.
It’s like one of those films that you watch, enjoy at the time and bits where you get up and make a cup of tea, grab a biscuit and cosy down for the second half of the viewing hoping it gets better.
I’d say, it’s good, pleasant, and ok for a change of reading pace, not memorable in an eager way but sure to remember as an OK read.
It’s not a thriller so don’t expect much, but I went in blind and found it an OK read.
January 6, 2022
I thought this book was ok. It dragged a bit in the beginning. The book is told through multiple POVs. The action picks up towards the end. Although I did not see the plot twist coming, I was underwhelmed by it.
Denise, Petra, and Anna have all been unlucky at love. For one reason or another they each decide to roll the dice and try online dating. One *ding in their message box and that’s all that it takes; they are all hooked, head over heels for Dr. David Kingfisher. Unbeknownst to them until they are all dating the same man. They come together after a one of them see Facebook post asking if anyone has seen David. None of them has met him; there is always an excuse for his absence, and after two of the women loan David a substantial amount of money, he disappears.
The three women are determined to track David down, get an explanation for his actions, and get their money back. They are hot on his trail when one of them winds up dead. This leads to a series of strange events, with one unbelievable conclusion.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Denise, Petra, and Anna have all been unlucky at love. For one reason or another they each decide to roll the dice and try online dating. One *ding in their message box and that’s all that it takes; they are all hooked, head over heels for Dr. David Kingfisher. Unbeknownst to them until they are all dating the same man. They come together after a one of them see Facebook post asking if anyone has seen David. None of them has met him; there is always an excuse for his absence, and after two of the women loan David a substantial amount of money, he disappears.
The three women are determined to track David down, get an explanation for his actions, and get their money back. They are hot on his trail when one of them winds up dead. This leads to a series of strange events, with one unbelievable conclusion.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 15, 2022
What a twisty, twisted story this is! I was a little worried that it would have a YA/Chick-Lit vibe, but thankfully, it didn’t. If the shows “Web Of Lies” and “Catfish” combined, you’d come out with something pretty close to this book (and I like both those shows, so that’s a bonus for me).
Three women have met the same person on dating apps, a man named David Kingfisher. These three women seem to have nothing in common except him. Anna is a gorgeous woman, a thin and tanned school teacher who men can’t resist. Denise is more dowdy, an overweight bookkeeper who takes care of her ailing mother. Petra is an emaciated alcoholic, an anxious wreck trying desperately to save her marriage. All three of them are totally taken by this handsome surgeon giving them online attention.
After they are all stood up and ghosted multiple times by Dave, they find out about each other, and get together to get even. This man lied to them, took money from them, embarrassed them all … they have to find out who he is. All three women have different motives for finding David, but they will find him, one way or another.
I’m still deciding if I liked the ending of this. It wasn’t anything that I saw coming, but it also didn’t shock me. The story is really good, and a quick and easy read. I’m giving it 3.5 stars, rounded up because this is a debut novel and I think this author has it! Hopefully we’ll see more from her soon.
(Thank you to Avon Books UK, Mandy Byatt, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Three women have met the same person on dating apps, a man named David Kingfisher. These three women seem to have nothing in common except him. Anna is a gorgeous woman, a thin and tanned school teacher who men can’t resist. Denise is more dowdy, an overweight bookkeeper who takes care of her ailing mother. Petra is an emaciated alcoholic, an anxious wreck trying desperately to save her marriage. All three of them are totally taken by this handsome surgeon giving them online attention.
After they are all stood up and ghosted multiple times by Dave, they find out about each other, and get together to get even. This man lied to them, took money from them, embarrassed them all … they have to find out who he is. All three women have different motives for finding David, but they will find him, one way or another.
I’m still deciding if I liked the ending of this. It wasn’t anything that I saw coming, but it also didn’t shock me. The story is really good, and a quick and easy read. I’m giving it 3.5 stars, rounded up because this is a debut novel and I think this author has it! Hopefully we’ll see more from her soon.
(Thank you to Avon Books UK, Mandy Byatt, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
April 15, 2022
⭐⭐⭐.5
Honestly, this one started off a little iffy for me. The first 30%(ish) was kind of slow and I wasn't sure I was going to keep going with it. However, since my previous two reads weren't great, I decided to give this one a few more chapters and I am glad that I did. The pace picked up, and I found myself thoroughly invested in this story! Bonus points to the author for the plot twist I did not see coming, and I am usually aces at Sherlocking these things out! Sp yeah, a solid thumbs up for this one from yours truly. 👍🏻
**ARC Via NetGalley**
Honestly, this one started off a little iffy for me. The first 30%(ish) was kind of slow and I wasn't sure I was going to keep going with it. However, since my previous two reads weren't great, I decided to give this one a few more chapters and I am glad that I did. The pace picked up, and I found myself thoroughly invested in this story! Bonus points to the author for the plot twist I did not see coming, and I am usually aces at Sherlocking these things out! Sp yeah, a solid thumbs up for this one from yours truly. 👍🏻
**ARC Via NetGalley**
January 20, 2022
This was a fantastic audiobook!
It follows three different women, all of whom take up online dating and start seeing the same man. They all have different lives and different reasons for signing up on the dating site, and this book gives a perseptive view of online dating in general.
I really enjoyed the differing stories, but as an audiobook I think it would have benefitted from 3 different narrators for the different perspectives of the women. Until I was a fair way in, I hadn't realised there was a different woman's story and I had to go back and relisten to fully grasp it. Different narrators would have saved this from happening.
That said, I loved the book and raced through it, looking for things I could do around the house while I listened. It was a thoroughly gripping book and made me question all the characters' motives throughout.
It follows three different women, all of whom take up online dating and start seeing the same man. They all have different lives and different reasons for signing up on the dating site, and this book gives a perseptive view of online dating in general.
I really enjoyed the differing stories, but as an audiobook I think it would have benefitted from 3 different narrators for the different perspectives of the women. Until I was a fair way in, I hadn't realised there was a different woman's story and I had to go back and relisten to fully grasp it. Different narrators would have saved this from happening.
That said, I loved the book and raced through it, looking for things I could do around the house while I listened. It was a thoroughly gripping book and made me question all the characters' motives throughout.
January 24, 2022
Aargh, I don't know where to start with this. I'm torn. Ok, let's start with the problematic content. While reading this book it was very clear the author placed a lot of relevance on how people looked. When describing the characters the author used their appearance to determine their worth. Without giving too much away a character was described as disgusting and grotesque and their house was filthy which are damaging stereotypes of those who are overweight. It's like she thought overweight people were unworthy of love and were lazy. There was another character that was “fat” and was always being referred to because of her size and it turns out she is a size 12. It was just very uncomfortable to read.
Then we move on to the sexual assaults that some of the main characters faced. It wasn’t really dealt with until a token consequence towards the end. It wasn’t tackled well at all. The book could have done so much more to address the issues of sexual assault and the dangers of online dating but sadly it fell flat. The book was also a bit disjointed at times and it was difficult to follow who’s perspective it was because it jumped with no warning.
It disappoints me that this book had these issues because it put a dark cloud over the full thing. It could have been so good. The plot was great and I loved the twists, some I saw coming and others I didn’t.
Then we move on to the sexual assaults that some of the main characters faced. It wasn’t really dealt with until a token consequence towards the end. It wasn’t tackled well at all. The book could have done so much more to address the issues of sexual assault and the dangers of online dating but sadly it fell flat. The book was also a bit disjointed at times and it was difficult to follow who’s perspective it was because it jumped with no warning.
It disappoints me that this book had these issues because it put a dark cloud over the full thing. It could have been so good. The plot was great and I loved the twists, some I saw coming and others I didn’t.
January 25, 2022
Anna is a teacher. Her long-time boyfriend has left her for good. She is heartbroken and wants to get him or get over him. She moves towns knowing that her ex is there too. Will her love life improve in this new place?
Denise is stuck at home looking after an invalid and verbally abusive mother. Her fiance left her after her mother had a stroke and she has a non-existent love life now.
Petra is married to Sam. She has had a miscarriage recently and cannot get over it. She logs on to a dating site just for the novelty of the whole thing.
David Kingfisher is a paediatric surgeon. He has a swank BMW and lives in a lovely home. He has looks to die for. But does he? Or is that just what he tells Anna, Denise, and Petra over the dating app?
David Kingfisher has now disappeared after taking money off Denise and Petra. And these three women have to come together to find him. So who is David Kingfisher? And why did he lie?
This was slow in the beginning but gained speed eventually. I listened to the audiobook and thought that three different narrators would have done more justice to the three leads.
I guessed the mystery at around midway point but that didn't take away from the listening. I really liked Denise too and gratifyingly, her character had a good arc. Anna and Petra, not so much.
There were a few plotholes in the end though the story tied up most of them well.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for the audio ARC.
3.5 stars
Denise is stuck at home looking after an invalid and verbally abusive mother. Her fiance left her after her mother had a stroke and she has a non-existent love life now.
Petra is married to Sam. She has had a miscarriage recently and cannot get over it. She logs on to a dating site just for the novelty of the whole thing.
David Kingfisher is a paediatric surgeon. He has a swank BMW and lives in a lovely home. He has looks to die for. But does he? Or is that just what he tells Anna, Denise, and Petra over the dating app?
David Kingfisher has now disappeared after taking money off Denise and Petra. And these three women have to come together to find him. So who is David Kingfisher? And why did he lie?
This was slow in the beginning but gained speed eventually. I listened to the audiobook and thought that three different narrators would have done more justice to the three leads.
I guessed the mystery at around midway point but that didn't take away from the listening. I really liked Denise too and gratifyingly, her character had a good arc. Anna and Petra, not so much.
There were a few plotholes in the end though the story tied up most of them well.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for the audio ARC.
3.5 stars
October 23, 2021
A twisty psychological thriller that is a classic page turner, really addictive once you start.
Three very different women start online dating the same handsome doctor who always seems to have an excuse for standing them up. When the women get together to track him down things take a dark turn.
I really liked this for its readability and the distinction between the characters, all of them interesting on different levels. Mostly though I loved the fact that it didn't take the path of least resistance in its resolution nor did it repeat the plot conventions that psychological thriller fans know so well .
Overall a clever, intriguing read.
Three very different women start online dating the same handsome doctor who always seems to have an excuse for standing them up. When the women get together to track him down things take a dark turn.
I really liked this for its readability and the distinction between the characters, all of them interesting on different levels. Mostly though I loved the fact that it didn't take the path of least resistance in its resolution nor did it repeat the plot conventions that psychological thriller fans know so well .
Overall a clever, intriguing read.
November 7, 2021
I started off really enjoying Just Another Liar. Three women falling for the same mysterious man, none of whom have met him in person? Sign me up. There were rotating POVs, lies, secrets, and action, but the farther along I got into the book; the more confused I got. There is a mystery POV sprinkled throughout the book, and although we eventually find out who it is, I didn't see the point in it being there, especially when the person's involvement was minimal in the end. The three women also just ended up being self-centered and annoying, and I don't understand why the story ended the way that it did. Just Another Liar had a ton of potential, but it just didn't work for me.
Content warning for death, attempted rape, abuse.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC of Just Another Liar by Mandy Byatt.
Content warning for death, attempted rape, abuse.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC of Just Another Liar by Mandy Byatt.
January 13, 2022
Catfish Online Dating! How will 3 women team up together to catch their online predator?
Predator: David is a gorgeous pediatrician. He drives a Porsche and lives in a dreamy cottage... or does he???
Victim One: Anna is a teacher. Her love life never seems to work out, until she falls in love with David. The two have never met, but after messaging/talking on the phone for weeks, Anna is sure this is the perfect man for her.
Victim Two: Petra is married, but has been deeply hurt in her marriage. Even knowing it's wrong, Petra gets online for fun. After talking to David online, she can't wait to meet him. There is just one problem. He never shows up for the date.
Victim Three: Denise takes care of her elderly narcissist mom. She can't believe her good fortune when she connects with David online and he wants to be in a relationship with her. She loans him money through a online banking service, but mysteriously David disappears.
"Just Another Liar" by Mandy Byatt, is fiction. However, many real women can relate to being catfished. This book/ audiobook has some great curveballs the reader/listener will not be expecting. It starts off slow, but works up to a surprise ending. The audiobook is narrated by the talented Melissa Woodbridge and will be published January 20, 2022.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, and Harper Collins, UK Audio, for allowing me to review this adorable e-book while listening to the audiobook. It was a pure pleasure.
Predator: David is a gorgeous pediatrician. He drives a Porsche and lives in a dreamy cottage... or does he???
Victim One: Anna is a teacher. Her love life never seems to work out, until she falls in love with David. The two have never met, but after messaging/talking on the phone for weeks, Anna is sure this is the perfect man for her.
Victim Two: Petra is married, but has been deeply hurt in her marriage. Even knowing it's wrong, Petra gets online for fun. After talking to David online, she can't wait to meet him. There is just one problem. He never shows up for the date.
Victim Three: Denise takes care of her elderly narcissist mom. She can't believe her good fortune when she connects with David online and he wants to be in a relationship with her. She loans him money through a online banking service, but mysteriously David disappears.
"Just Another Liar" by Mandy Byatt, is fiction. However, many real women can relate to being catfished. This book/ audiobook has some great curveballs the reader/listener will not be expecting. It starts off slow, but works up to a surprise ending. The audiobook is narrated by the talented Melissa Woodbridge and will be published January 20, 2022.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, and Harper Collins, UK Audio, for allowing me to review this adorable e-book while listening to the audiobook. It was a pure pleasure.
December 17, 2022
Just Another Liar
By: Mandy Byatt
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Three women are looking for love online. Unfortunately they are all talking to the same person!
David is the man in question. He always has an excuse for not making a date!
One gives him money with the promise to return the money but when she tries to surprise him she finds out he is not whom he claims to be.
Oh the perils of online dating! You really need to meet someone in person or at least video chat before meeting.
Will any of these women get what they truly want?
A great debut novel!
#avon, #audiobook, #mandybyatt, #justanotherliar, #debutauthor, #booksconnectus, #bookstagram, #bookreview, #stamperlady50
By: Mandy Byatt
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Three women are looking for love online. Unfortunately they are all talking to the same person!
David is the man in question. He always has an excuse for not making a date!
One gives him money with the promise to return the money but when she tries to surprise him she finds out he is not whom he claims to be.
Oh the perils of online dating! You really need to meet someone in person or at least video chat before meeting.
Will any of these women get what they truly want?
A great debut novel!
#avon, #audiobook, #mandybyatt, #justanotherliar, #debutauthor, #booksconnectus, #bookstagram, #bookreview, #stamperlady50
December 23, 2021
Rating: 3.8/5
It is nothing new for the marketing blurb to describe a book they think people will want to read rather than the one the author actually wrote, but this is one of those less common occasions where the story is a markedly better, more complex (and certainly less superficial) piece of work than its blurb suggests.
Mandy Byatt's debut novel is an entertaining, well-paced and carefully constructed psychological thriller. The three main female protagonists, Anna, Denise and Petra find themselves involved in the world of internet dating. They are all in contact with the same man, David Kingfisher - but it isn't long before it transpires that the Kingfisher is a catfisher. Who is David and what is his motivation for targeting these very different ladies?
The characterisation is admirable with all of the key players being given credible backstories that help to explain their behaviour and decision making processes. Each of them is flawed and this contributes to certain aspects of "Just Another Liar" being reminiscent of noir fiction. There were occasions when I began to question whether the author might be at risk of taking liberties with her dramatic licence and stretching credulity a little too far, but, as it transpired, I need have had no such concerns. Mandy Byatt's meticulous plotting ensures that the various strands pull together and stay within the boundaries of acceptable fictional scrutiny.
The subject matter and the manner in which it is presented make for a refreshing change from the somewhat more predictable scenarios that are often regurgitated. "Just Another Liar" still delivers the core characteristics that the genre demands, but while managing to avoid the hackneyed clichés. Although not at the core of the storyline, the narrative does also raise a number of interesting sociological questions. These include the rôle of the online world in society and also the effects that traumatic experiences or loneliness can have on a person's perception of themselves and their environment.
An impressive debut and I am looking forward to book two.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
It is nothing new for the marketing blurb to describe a book they think people will want to read rather than the one the author actually wrote, but this is one of those less common occasions where the story is a markedly better, more complex (and certainly less superficial) piece of work than its blurb suggests.
Mandy Byatt's debut novel is an entertaining, well-paced and carefully constructed psychological thriller. The three main female protagonists, Anna, Denise and Petra find themselves involved in the world of internet dating. They are all in contact with the same man, David Kingfisher - but it isn't long before it transpires that the Kingfisher is a catfisher. Who is David and what is his motivation for targeting these very different ladies?
The characterisation is admirable with all of the key players being given credible backstories that help to explain their behaviour and decision making processes. Each of them is flawed and this contributes to certain aspects of "Just Another Liar" being reminiscent of noir fiction. There were occasions when I began to question whether the author might be at risk of taking liberties with her dramatic licence and stretching credulity a little too far, but, as it transpired, I need have had no such concerns. Mandy Byatt's meticulous plotting ensures that the various strands pull together and stay within the boundaries of acceptable fictional scrutiny.
The subject matter and the manner in which it is presented make for a refreshing change from the somewhat more predictable scenarios that are often regurgitated. "Just Another Liar" still delivers the core characteristics that the genre demands, but while managing to avoid the hackneyed clichés. Although not at the core of the storyline, the narrative does also raise a number of interesting sociological questions. These include the rôle of the online world in society and also the effects that traumatic experiences or loneliness can have on a person's perception of themselves and their environment.
An impressive debut and I am looking forward to book two.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
December 29, 2021
I was sent an advanced reading copy for Just Another Liar, but had forgotten its blurb by the time I started reading it yesterday, and judged the book by its cover and by its early set up that had me thinking it would be more romance... and then the twists began. Three women, all sad, all lonely, and at least 2 out of the 3 not very likable (something else I love - unlikeable MCs) and all seeking love via the Internet. This story feels very topical as it explores the pitfalls of Internet dating, and becomes increasingly darker as the story unfolds into a psychological thriller, albeit an easy and gentle one. I read it very fast, as I was intrigued about where the story was headed - certainly not in the direction I initially expected, nor towards an ending I ever saw coming!
February 24, 2022
Time taken to read - 2.5 days
Pages - 400
Publisher - Avon
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
He says he loves you. He says you’re the only one. He’s just another liar…
Three women love him. But he’s lying to them all.
Denise, Petra, and Anna all have their reasons for being alone.
But they’re not ready to share them.
David is the answer to all their problems.
But they’ve only met him online.
Each woman wants her happy ending.
But only one of them can get it.
One of these women will end up dead.
But which one? And will you ever work out who killed them?
My Review
Meet Denise, Petra and Anna, three very different women with one thing in common - they are all dating the same man, David. David is perfect, everything each of them needs but none know of the others and none of them have met David. One of them will die but who and why?
There are a fair few unsavoury characters in this book so you can't help but turn page after page for more revelations. We hear from each of the women and short snippets from David. Whilst this is a fiction book the online dodgy dating many could ring off stories very similar. David offers them an escape or comfort, understanding, a distraction, romance, love, a relationship, something different to each of them.
It offers a perspective of online dating as the three women experience it, to look at the type of people they are and the old no-one is quite what they seem, especially online. Character flaws, very shady behaviour and questionable morals. This is one of those books you could quite happy sit with a bucket of popcorn as you go page to page with a oh no, cringe, ahhhhh. Lots of drama - a bit like sinking into a fab epiosde of one of your fave soaps! 4/5 for me, this is her debut novel I cannot wait to read more from Byatt!
Pages - 400
Publisher - Avon
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
He says he loves you. He says you’re the only one. He’s just another liar…
Three women love him. But he’s lying to them all.
Denise, Petra, and Anna all have their reasons for being alone.
But they’re not ready to share them.
David is the answer to all their problems.
But they’ve only met him online.
Each woman wants her happy ending.
But only one of them can get it.
One of these women will end up dead.
But which one? And will you ever work out who killed them?
My Review
Meet Denise, Petra and Anna, three very different women with one thing in common - they are all dating the same man, David. David is perfect, everything each of them needs but none know of the others and none of them have met David. One of them will die but who and why?
There are a fair few unsavoury characters in this book so you can't help but turn page after page for more revelations. We hear from each of the women and short snippets from David. Whilst this is a fiction book the online dodgy dating many could ring off stories very similar. David offers them an escape or comfort, understanding, a distraction, romance, love, a relationship, something different to each of them.
It offers a perspective of online dating as the three women experience it, to look at the type of people they are and the old no-one is quite what they seem, especially online. Character flaws, very shady behaviour and questionable morals. This is one of those books you could quite happy sit with a bucket of popcorn as you go page to page with a oh no, cringe, ahhhhh. Lots of drama - a bit like sinking into a fab epiosde of one of your fave soaps! 4/5 for me, this is her debut novel I cannot wait to read more from Byatt!
January 11, 2022
This is a good story with an interesting twist on the perils of internet dating and pretending to be someone that you are not.
Three very different women fall for a handsome man online who woos them and makes them feel adored and special. None of them meet him in person, however two hand over large quantities of money and one sends revealing photos of herself. The women are very different and the reasons they are looking for love are different too and yet they eventually meet and decide to find the man who has deceived them.
There are a few twists and turns with each of the women having their own story as well as the main one. The more we hear we see they are interwoven and the climax of the book was quite shocking.
Good thriller and an interesting read. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Three very different women fall for a handsome man online who woos them and makes them feel adored and special. None of them meet him in person, however two hand over large quantities of money and one sends revealing photos of herself. The women are very different and the reasons they are looking for love are different too and yet they eventually meet and decide to find the man who has deceived them.
There are a few twists and turns with each of the women having their own story as well as the main one. The more we hear we see they are interwoven and the climax of the book was quite shocking.
Good thriller and an interesting read. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2023
Predictable storyline... #yawn
January 30, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I don't think that Just Another Liar for me.
I went into it having already fallen in love with the synopsis, when sounded very intriguing in the 'then'. I also really loved the cover. But when I started reading the book I just found that the story was very slow-paced and boring. There was also something about the book that just lacked. I suppose it was the characters who lacked any really characteristics.
It's just not realistic.
Denise, Petra, and Anna all fall in love with David Kingfisher who they have never meant. A guy that they don't even know and just makes excuses when they ask to go out with him.
The multiple POV ideas was smart but at the same time, I don't think that it was mastered properly because despite the fact that each character speaks of their backstory, the writing style makes all the characters have the same voice, if you know what I mean.
The plot also took a lot of time and it was too slow for my liking, but points to the narrator for the audiobook, they made it so much better.
Unfortunately, I don't think that Just Another Liar for me.
I went into it having already fallen in love with the synopsis, when sounded very intriguing in the 'then'. I also really loved the cover. But when I started reading the book I just found that the story was very slow-paced and boring. There was also something about the book that just lacked. I suppose it was the characters who lacked any really characteristics.
It's just not realistic.
Denise, Petra, and Anna all fall in love with David Kingfisher who they have never meant. A guy that they don't even know and just makes excuses when they ask to go out with him.
The multiple POV ideas was smart but at the same time, I don't think that it was mastered properly because despite the fact that each character speaks of their backstory, the writing style makes all the characters have the same voice, if you know what I mean.
The plot also took a lot of time and it was too slow for my liking, but points to the narrator for the audiobook, they made it so much better.
January 23, 2022
Fans of T M Logan and Lisa Jewell would enjoy this one!
Three women, Anna, Denise and Petra decide to try online dating, each having their own reasons for being alone. They all happen upon a guy named David Kingfisher and he seems like the perfect man. However, they've never had chance to meet him in person. Things soon turn sour and they soon realise that he isn't the man they thought he was at all. They decide to get together and try to hunt down the real David Kingfisher ... one of these women will end up dead.
I loved the twists and turns in this book and it certainly kept me on my feet. I was convinced I knew who it was until events happened and it made me second guess everything. The multiple narratives was a little confusing at times, but I liked that we got "the killer's" insight every now and then which helped to add tension and pace. It was certainly a gripping read as I was so desperate to find out what happens in the end.
I would just like to thank Avon Books and Harper Collins for sending me an ARC of this book.
Three women, Anna, Denise and Petra decide to try online dating, each having their own reasons for being alone. They all happen upon a guy named David Kingfisher and he seems like the perfect man. However, they've never had chance to meet him in person. Things soon turn sour and they soon realise that he isn't the man they thought he was at all. They decide to get together and try to hunt down the real David Kingfisher ... one of these women will end up dead.
I loved the twists and turns in this book and it certainly kept me on my feet. I was convinced I knew who it was until events happened and it made me second guess everything. The multiple narratives was a little confusing at times, but I liked that we got "the killer's" insight every now and then which helped to add tension and pace. It was certainly a gripping read as I was so desperate to find out what happens in the end.
I would just like to thank Avon Books and Harper Collins for sending me an ARC of this book.
January 23, 2022
This debut thriller has some great twists and 3 strong leading female characters that I could easily see transferring across to the screen.
Denise, Petra and Anna have little in common until they meet Dr David Kingfisher online. They believe that they have met someone who will give them what they need in their lives but things are rarely what they appear to be on the internet.
I honestly didn’t see the conclusion of this coming in a novel that started off quite slowly. The second half is considerably stronger than the first half with the exception of one issue which still doesn’t quite make sense to me, hence the docking of a star. A great stab at a first novel though!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Avon, Harper Collins for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Denise, Petra and Anna have little in common until they meet Dr David Kingfisher online. They believe that they have met someone who will give them what they need in their lives but things are rarely what they appear to be on the internet.
I honestly didn’t see the conclusion of this coming in a novel that started off quite slowly. The second half is considerably stronger than the first half with the exception of one issue which still doesn’t quite make sense to me, hence the docking of a star. A great stab at a first novel though!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Avon, Harper Collins for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2022
Ooh, this was an exciting read that kept me wanting to turn the page. Three women, all with their own issues, have been drawn to a man online, and when he begins to let them down, they realise they have been duped and want to find him. Urgently. The women are seeking happiness, and have some serious issues to overcome, so they feel an online date would suit them best. However, the date is not at all as he appeared online, and when they realise he is fooling them, they have urgent reasons to want to confront him.
We don't discover who the man is until almost the end, and it was an exciting chase with red herrings strewn along the way. The characters aren't terribly deep, but the novel is a fast-paced read that keeps the reader guessing. Great fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We don't discover who the man is until almost the end, and it was an exciting chase with red herrings strewn along the way. The characters aren't terribly deep, but the novel is a fast-paced read that keeps the reader guessing. Great fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2022
This was a slow burn type story. It was a good read, the characters were fleshed out, the storyline was interesting and quite relevant to current times, although I found the multiple ladies POV confusing at times. I kept forgetting who was who and what the story was, but then that could just be me in old age. It makes you think about who you’re talking to online though, well, I guess I see who people talk to online sometimes when they’re caught for doing the wrong thing and end up in front of me! A good quick read, but I didn’t find the twist/s and shocking or twisty as I would have liked.
January 13, 2022
3-star read
Denise, Petra & Anna have met David Kingfisher online – they have all chatted with him, exchanged messages and some photos, and some money too – thus begins the hunt for David Kingfisher, where past secrets are revealed.
This was a good read, fast paced after you get the hang of all the characters, and then their family members names – I found it a bit difficult to remember all the names initially!
Denise, Petra & Anna have met David Kingfisher online – they have all chatted with him, exchanged messages and some photos, and some money too – thus begins the hunt for David Kingfisher, where past secrets are revealed.
This was a good read, fast paced after you get the hang of all the characters, and then their family members names – I found it a bit difficult to remember all the names initially!
January 16, 2022
Wow, just when I thought I was getting bored of thrillers! This one kept me hooked the entire way through.
At times, I even found myself feeling sick with fear and anxiety and rushing to find out what was going to happen.
When a book gives you flutters you know it’s a good book!
Highly recommend this thriller (coming from someone whose getting fed up with them being the same!) this one is very different and hits the spots.
At times, I even found myself feeling sick with fear and anxiety and rushing to find out what was going to happen.
When a book gives you flutters you know it’s a good book!
Highly recommend this thriller (coming from someone whose getting fed up with them being the same!) this one is very different and hits the spots.
March 7, 2023
Thrilling
April 15, 2022
Another one that's a 3.5 stars for me, that I can't round up. Some day Goodreads will allow half stars, or a larger scale (maybe 1-10), which would allow a more accurate rating, but I digress! This was a great premise and a reflection of new norms in our culture with online dating and the inherent dangers. I definitely did not see the twist but, I can say that every single character was suspect at one point or another, and none of them were particularly likeable. It felt a bit chaotic with the authors attempt to cast doubt on everyone's story and make you believe they all had a reason to be the who in whodunnit, and a few things were a bit laughable/implausible/bit too convenient. All in all, it kept me turning pages!!
December 8, 2021
Just Another Liar follows the story of David. Three women love him but he’s lying to them all. Denise, Petra and Anna all have their reasons for being alone but David seems to be the answer to their problems. However they’ve only met him online. Each woman wants a happy ending but who if any of them will get it? A gripping novel that will keep you guessing. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.
March 28, 2022
BIZARRE!
I really did not know what to make of this one - It was not only hard to swallow but rather unsavoury and left a nasty taste in my mouth as not the sweet confection I mistook it for when I started reading.
At first it seemed light and frothy then took a turn for the dark side.
It started off tongue in cheek rather like an Agatha Raisin.
Just what I need I thought after having three disappointments in a row with my usual favoured thriller genre having returned "Reputation" by Sarah Vaughan, The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley and been so bored by "The Curfew" by TM Logan.
But this turned out not to be the light-hearted romp it started out to be as it became increasingly difficult to read as the mood took a turn for the macabre.
Yes, you could not take it seriously and yet it was all a bit disturbing and off kilter.
I often wonder if book editors still exist as this was full of inconsistencies which made it feel like wither it was written by slightly defective software or the author was in one heck of a rush and wrote at the gallop without a backwards glance.
Gender seemed to be the main thing that was thrown to the wind - a male dog was given a caesarean - Clemantina was a "Ginger Tom" and Kai was a her and a him. Anna was "sorry she was wearing shorts" then minutes later in a sentence a following sequential sentence she "smoothed down her skirt" Petra had a sudden impulse to turn on the car radio and listen to music but a few sentences later someone was singing along to the radio in the car. Rather like the book itself, even allowing for the errant editor who writes like that without even reading back their own work or keeping details in their head. I can only think it was dictated rather than written.
Animal lovers may also not be keen on the way there are four separate mentions of animal deaths all casually thrown in without much relevance to the plot which add to the sort of underlying sadness of this seemingly bright and amusing book. I always find tropes like this simply lazy shorthand and indeed they just took away from a book which had a unpleasant undertones and unlikeable characters.
There is a huge amount of fat shaming as well as people who are described as fat or wrinkled and sagging, while those not criticised for being old, sweaty, fat, disabled, troll-like, ugly or with terrible hair are vain and selfish.
It seemed as if the author basically hated everyone in the book.
Then there were the oddly old fashioned and graphic references to women which seemed like it was written more likely by a misogynistic older man rather than a woman as the "Mandy Byatt" name suggests.
All in all I thought it was very well written, bar the weird mistakes and it made for good listening until about three quarters the way along when it all got a bit strange.
I think I understand the plot, though it was very far fetched and super complicated with many layers however given the many glaring insignificant inconsistencies which tumbled thick and fast - I do wonder if there might have been others in the plot as it did seem hard to put all the pieces together after the reveal. More of a "Huh?" moment than an "Aha!"
I am actually quite sorry I even started this book as it really was a bit of a bitter, unwholesome centre hidden within a sweet candy shell and there were a lot of dark stories and themes lightly glazed over with complete lack of sensitivity including infertility and alcoholism. It short it just was not very likeable and I feel like I need a good long shower to get the hate filled parts out of my psyche.
Personally I enjoy a bit of dark humour like the fab Sweet Pea series by C.J. Skuse or the aforementioned League of Gentlemen and I did think this book was well written and easy to get into, unusual and intriguing - but I felt the balance was off it just wasn't as funny as it was dark and disturbing and it seemed like the author hated all the characters and indeed their pets.
Maybe it is a learning curve and the talented Mandy Byatt's next one will be more enjoyable, better edited and with some more likeable less one dimensional characters, less fat/ugly/old shaming and no animal deaths.
I really did not know what to make of this one - It was not only hard to swallow but rather unsavoury and left a nasty taste in my mouth as not the sweet confection I mistook it for when I started reading.
At first it seemed light and frothy then took a turn for the dark side.
It started off tongue in cheek rather like an Agatha Raisin.
Just what I need I thought after having three disappointments in a row with my usual favoured thriller genre having returned "Reputation" by Sarah Vaughan, The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley and been so bored by "The Curfew" by TM Logan.
But this turned out not to be the light-hearted romp it started out to be as it became increasingly difficult to read as the mood took a turn for the macabre.
Yes, you could not take it seriously and yet it was all a bit disturbing and off kilter.
I often wonder if book editors still exist as this was full of inconsistencies which made it feel like wither it was written by slightly defective software or the author was in one heck of a rush and wrote at the gallop without a backwards glance.
Gender seemed to be the main thing that was thrown to the wind - a male dog was given a caesarean - Clemantina was a "Ginger Tom" and Kai was a her and a him. Anna was "sorry she was wearing shorts" then minutes later in a sentence a following sequential sentence she "smoothed down her skirt" Petra had a sudden impulse to turn on the car radio and listen to music but a few sentences later someone was singing along to the radio in the car. Rather like the book itself, even allowing for the errant editor who writes like that without even reading back their own work or keeping details in their head. I can only think it was dictated rather than written.
Animal lovers may also not be keen on the way there are four separate mentions of animal deaths all casually thrown in without much relevance to the plot which add to the sort of underlying sadness of this seemingly bright and amusing book. I always find tropes like this simply lazy shorthand and indeed they just took away from a book which had a unpleasant undertones and unlikeable characters.
There is a huge amount of fat shaming as well as people who are described as fat or wrinkled and sagging, while those not criticised for being old, sweaty, fat, disabled, troll-like, ugly or with terrible hair are vain and selfish.
It seemed as if the author basically hated everyone in the book.
Then there were the oddly old fashioned and graphic references to women which seemed like it was written more likely by a misogynistic older man rather than a woman as the "Mandy Byatt" name suggests.
All in all I thought it was very well written, bar the weird mistakes and it made for good listening until about three quarters the way along when it all got a bit strange.
I think I understand the plot, though it was very far fetched and super complicated with many layers however given the many glaring insignificant inconsistencies which tumbled thick and fast - I do wonder if there might have been others in the plot as it did seem hard to put all the pieces together after the reveal. More of a "Huh?" moment than an "Aha!"
I am actually quite sorry I even started this book as it really was a bit of a bitter, unwholesome centre hidden within a sweet candy shell and there were a lot of dark stories and themes lightly glazed over with complete lack of sensitivity including infertility and alcoholism. It short it just was not very likeable and I feel like I need a good long shower to get the hate filled parts out of my psyche.
Personally I enjoy a bit of dark humour like the fab Sweet Pea series by C.J. Skuse or the aforementioned League of Gentlemen and I did think this book was well written and easy to get into, unusual and intriguing - but I felt the balance was off it just wasn't as funny as it was dark and disturbing and it seemed like the author hated all the characters and indeed their pets.
Maybe it is a learning curve and the talented Mandy Byatt's next one will be more enjoyable, better edited and with some more likeable less one dimensional characters, less fat/ugly/old shaming and no animal deaths.
November 23, 2021
Wow the ending of this blew my mind. I loved the characters although it took me a minute to keep track of them. The plot twist was one I didn’t see coming! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this pre-release in exchange did my honest review
November 20, 2021
Had a lot of promise, but I got tangled up and confused. I got it in the end but it fell apart after the ladies get to know one another after being stood up one time too many. The search to find Mr. Wonderful drags you into a weird and choppy rabbit hole.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews