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Friends Don't Lie
The new addictive, compelling and immersive thriller from Nell Pattison, with enough dark twists to give you whiplash…Fans of Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell will be hooked.
My name is Isabel Butterworth. Your name is Isabel Butterworth.
We’re around the same age. We live in the same town.
But your life is more exciting than mine, isn’t it? Richer, dramatic, more fulfilling.
Imagine if I’d never found out about you…
But I have. Because someone mistook me for you.
And now I can’t stop thinking about you because I know you’re in trouble. You need my help.
And I need a way to get to know you.
To save you.
To be you…
My name is Isabel Butterworth. Your name is Isabel Butterworth.
We’re around the same age. We live in the same town.
But your life is more exciting than mine, isn’t it? Richer, dramatic, more fulfilling.
Imagine if I’d never found out about you…
But I have. Because someone mistook me for you.
And now I can’t stop thinking about you because I know you’re in trouble. You need my help.
And I need a way to get to know you.
To save you.
To be you…
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2022
40 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
About the author
Nell Pattison
8 books270 followersAfter studying English at university, Nell Pattison became a teacher and specialised in Deaf education.
She has been teaching in the Deaf community for 12 years in both England and Scotland, working with students who use BSL. Nell began losing her hearing in her twenties, and now wears hearing aids.
She lives in North Lincolnshire with her husband and son. The Silent House is her debut novel.
She has been teaching in the Deaf community for 12 years in both England and Scotland, working with students who use BSL. Nell began losing her hearing in her twenties, and now wears hearing aids.
She lives in North Lincolnshire with her husband and son. The Silent House is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
September 20, 2022
I wish to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this psychological thriller of deception, lies, revenge, and murder.
I could definitely relate to two women having the same names, both Isabel Butterworth, and the disturbing events that entered their lives, many of their own making.
Years ago, I found myself in a similar situation, but without the threats, assumed identities, stalking, and murder. When home computers were fairly new, I began receiving some strange emails from unknown people and referring to unknown topics and phone calls I failed to understand. I had lived and worked in the city for 15 years and came to realize there was a woman living nearby with the same first and last name. She worked about a 7-minute walk from my house, and we were not even distant relatives. One day I had an appointment with my GP and another doctor was filling in. My name was called, and I entered the office of an angry, hostile doctor who told me to leave as it was not my turn. The woman with the same name was in the waiting room also, but I didn't know what she looked like. Following that, we met and straightened out the email mixups, and I learned we shared the same middle initial J. Her middle name was Jane, and mine was Joan. I sometimes found my doctor annoyed as I would be blamed for not keeping appointments with specialists. Their reports were found in the other woman's file.
I enjoyed the character development, which was very well done in the book's first section. Isabel (Izzy)has become very isolated. She works at home and orders takeout meals. She had a small group of friends but finds she has nothing in common with them anymore. They discuss relationships, husbands and children, and she can add little to the conversation. To add to her solitary lifestyle, she is becoming deaf and has withdrawn from socializing. The other Isabel (Belle)becomes known to her through some mistaken emails. One day, an unknown man grabs Izzy demanding to know where Isabel (Belle) is, saying he will kill her when he finds her. Izzy begins gathering information about Belle on the internet and then stalking her. She convinces herself by staying close to Belle she can protect her from this man.
She is obsessed with her namesake and inserts herself into Belle's life, intruding into her clubs and gym, even having a copy of her housekeys made, and secretly rifling through Belle's families belongings. Izzy manages to develop a friendship with Belle. Belle seems to have everything that Izzy lacks, a upscale home and cars, a prosperous husband and sweet children. Belle is bored. Her husband it domineering and expects her to be a stay -at- home housewife. She has one friend and confidant, Caroline, whom her husband dislikes. I was feeling sorry for the unhappy Belle who didn't need the deluded and obnoxious Izzy intruding in her life. None of the characters were particularly likeable.
However, nothing was what it seemed. There are several murders. Like many mystery fans, I enjoy startling twists. I thought, a convoluted and complicated plot contained a couple of twists and reveals too many. The story became far-fetched and the conclusion not entirely satisfying. The author managed to keep the story changing and evolving in a compelling manner, and I was mostly entertained despite my dislike for the characters and their behaviour.
I could definitely relate to two women having the same names, both Isabel Butterworth, and the disturbing events that entered their lives, many of their own making.
Years ago, I found myself in a similar situation, but without the threats, assumed identities, stalking, and murder. When home computers were fairly new, I began receiving some strange emails from unknown people and referring to unknown topics and phone calls I failed to understand. I had lived and worked in the city for 15 years and came to realize there was a woman living nearby with the same first and last name. She worked about a 7-minute walk from my house, and we were not even distant relatives. One day I had an appointment with my GP and another doctor was filling in. My name was called, and I entered the office of an angry, hostile doctor who told me to leave as it was not my turn. The woman with the same name was in the waiting room also, but I didn't know what she looked like. Following that, we met and straightened out the email mixups, and I learned we shared the same middle initial J. Her middle name was Jane, and mine was Joan. I sometimes found my doctor annoyed as I would be blamed for not keeping appointments with specialists. Their reports were found in the other woman's file.
I enjoyed the character development, which was very well done in the book's first section. Isabel (Izzy)has become very isolated. She works at home and orders takeout meals. She had a small group of friends but finds she has nothing in common with them anymore. They discuss relationships, husbands and children, and she can add little to the conversation. To add to her solitary lifestyle, she is becoming deaf and has withdrawn from socializing. The other Isabel (Belle)becomes known to her through some mistaken emails. One day, an unknown man grabs Izzy demanding to know where Isabel (Belle) is, saying he will kill her when he finds her. Izzy begins gathering information about Belle on the internet and then stalking her. She convinces herself by staying close to Belle she can protect her from this man.
She is obsessed with her namesake and inserts herself into Belle's life, intruding into her clubs and gym, even having a copy of her housekeys made, and secretly rifling through Belle's families belongings. Izzy manages to develop a friendship with Belle. Belle seems to have everything that Izzy lacks, a upscale home and cars, a prosperous husband and sweet children. Belle is bored. Her husband it domineering and expects her to be a stay -at- home housewife. She has one friend and confidant, Caroline, whom her husband dislikes. I was feeling sorry for the unhappy Belle who didn't need the deluded and obnoxious Izzy intruding in her life. None of the characters were particularly likeable.
However, nothing was what it seemed. There are several murders. Like many mystery fans, I enjoy startling twists. I thought, a convoluted and complicated plot contained a couple of twists and reveals too many. The story became far-fetched and the conclusion not entirely satisfying. The author managed to keep the story changing and evolving in a compelling manner, and I was mostly entertained despite my dislike for the characters and their behaviour.
September 20, 2022
A psychological thriller with a domestic setting, Friends Don’t Lie by Nell Pattison is a standalone tale. Two women meet in a prison visitors centre amidst tension and ill feeling. Sharing the same name, Isabella Butterworth, their two stories are recounted in alternative chapters respectively, as their lives and connections are gradually revealed. Both have their secrets and hidden motivations as their friendship grows and the death of a man in their suburb hovers menacingly in the background. With plenty of twists and turns and surprise revelations, this is an enjoyable enough mystery, making for a three and a half star read rating. With thanks to Avon Books UK and the author, for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
September 19, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
My name is Isabel Butterworth. Your name is Isabel Butterworth. We're around the same age. We live in the same town. But your life is more exciting than mine, Isn't it? Richer, dramatic, more fulfilling. Imagine if I never found out about you.... But I have. Because someone mistook me for you. and now I can't stop thinking about you because I know you're in trouble. You need my help. And I need a way to get to know you.
We get an insight into hearing loss at the beginning of this book. It's also quite an intense read. The pace is fast, it's filled with twists and devious characters. The story to told from Izzy and Isabella's perspectives. This story covers murder, grief and stalking on the internet. There's also twists and secrets. I did at times find it hard to keep track of who was who, so I took off half a star for that reason. Otherwise. this was a gripping, well written story that held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #FriendsDon'tLie in exchange foe an honest review.
My name is Isabel Butterworth. Your name is Isabel Butterworth. We're around the same age. We live in the same town. But your life is more exciting than mine, Isn't it? Richer, dramatic, more fulfilling. Imagine if I never found out about you.... But I have. Because someone mistook me for you. and now I can't stop thinking about you because I know you're in trouble. You need my help. And I need a way to get to know you.
We get an insight into hearing loss at the beginning of this book. It's also quite an intense read. The pace is fast, it's filled with twists and devious characters. The story to told from Izzy and Isabella's perspectives. This story covers murder, grief and stalking on the internet. There's also twists and secrets. I did at times find it hard to keep track of who was who, so I took off half a star for that reason. Otherwise. this was a gripping, well written story that held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #FriendsDon'tLie in exchange foe an honest review.
August 30, 2023
This is a character-driven mystery full of twists that kept me engaged. The premise instantly captivated me. two women with the same name, living in the same town are drawn together in an intriguing set of circumstances. Are one of them in peril, or are both lives in danger? Could becoming another person be the solution to this puzzle? Entertaining, suspenseful, and original describe this mystery thriller. Thank you NetGalley for my copy.
July 24, 2022
3.75 because I got lost. Is that me? Is that the writing?
Isabella Butterworth lives an unremarkable life - working as a virtual assistant, visiting her brother in prison, staying pretty much to herself. As an occasional annoyance, she gets emails for another identically monikered woman, and then: a man lays in wait for her outside her house, intending to attack the other IB, but clearly, our girl isn’t her. Knowing a stranger with her name is likely in trouble, our IB tries to inveigle herself into the other’s life, to warn her that she, and her perfect family (really: do better on the internet security) are in danger.
After this, and after the big reveal, I was left feeling a bit confuddled. Who is who? Who is the other person and what is their agenda? It was a bit slow moving, overly descriptive, and gave me the impression of a bit of filler. Having read Nowhere to Hide by this author, I was offered a copy of this through Netgalley and Avon Books UK for preview and review. It kept my interest, but was perplexing in the twists at about the 3/4 point.
Would still read another from this author though, the subject matter underlying was interesting.
Isabella Butterworth lives an unremarkable life - working as a virtual assistant, visiting her brother in prison, staying pretty much to herself. As an occasional annoyance, she gets emails for another identically monikered woman, and then: a man lays in wait for her outside her house, intending to attack the other IB, but clearly, our girl isn’t her. Knowing a stranger with her name is likely in trouble, our IB tries to inveigle herself into the other’s life, to warn her that she, and her perfect family (really: do better on the internet security) are in danger.
After this, and after the big reveal, I was left feeling a bit confuddled. Who is who? Who is the other person and what is their agenda? It was a bit slow moving, overly descriptive, and gave me the impression of a bit of filler. Having read Nowhere to Hide by this author, I was offered a copy of this through Netgalley and Avon Books UK for preview and review. It kept my interest, but was perplexing in the twists at about the 3/4 point.
Would still read another from this author though, the subject matter underlying was interesting.
February 15, 2023
I was really enjoying this read until a major plot twist that left me quite confused and scratching my head. Even as I write this review, I still don’t think I have quite untangled the web that Pattison has weaved, which meant I was a bit disappointed with my overall experience of this book.
The novel switches between Izzy and Bella, two women that coincidentally share exactly the same name and happen to live in the same city. Their lives start to overlap with Izzy receiving emails from Bella, leading to Izzy becoming increasingly curiouser about her name-twin. Personally, I thought this element a bit far-fetched and that Bella had never followed this up to rectify the incorrect emails, but it is the catalyst that starts the story. As Izzy becomes more interested in Bella’s life, events cause her to need to make contact with this woman. The two appear to lead contrasting lives and I felt sorry for Izzy with her isolation, loneliness and reliance on takeaway dinners. She does not have the life of contentment.
Large chunks of the story focus on either Bella or Izzy. I liked that there were several consequential chapters on each character because it meant that I could really settle into their narrative. It made it less confusing and I enjoyed how Pattison makes the events follow directly on from the other character, adding continuity to the story. Ambiguities increase as the story develops and I was really intrigued about what revelations would come to the novel. However, a major plot development really threw me and I had to actually pause my reading to understand what direction the story was now taking – this is completely unlike me. Reading on, I had hoped some further explanations were going to be provided – it’s what I anticipate when characters start explaining their actions to one another – but this still didn’t help with my confusion.
As the novel reached its conclusion, I felt like some of my questions had been answered – but not all of them. Furthermore, the final twists at the end felt quite far-fetched and I was disbelieving about the mistaken identities. I thought it clever what Pattison was doing with the story, but some of the ideas were pushing what was believable and it made me feel a bit dissatisfied by the ending.
Don’t get me wrong: I think this is a very clever story and had huge potential. I really enjoyed my previous read from Pattison and this was largely on the same scale as that one. But, the execution in the last quarter did not match the building intensity of the read and the complexities of the story was a just a step too far for my head.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The novel switches between Izzy and Bella, two women that coincidentally share exactly the same name and happen to live in the same city. Their lives start to overlap with Izzy receiving emails from Bella, leading to Izzy becoming increasingly curiouser about her name-twin. Personally, I thought this element a bit far-fetched and that Bella had never followed this up to rectify the incorrect emails, but it is the catalyst that starts the story. As Izzy becomes more interested in Bella’s life, events cause her to need to make contact with this woman. The two appear to lead contrasting lives and I felt sorry for Izzy with her isolation, loneliness and reliance on takeaway dinners. She does not have the life of contentment.
Large chunks of the story focus on either Bella or Izzy. I liked that there were several consequential chapters on each character because it meant that I could really settle into their narrative. It made it less confusing and I enjoyed how Pattison makes the events follow directly on from the other character, adding continuity to the story. Ambiguities increase as the story develops and I was really intrigued about what revelations would come to the novel. However, a major plot development really threw me and I had to actually pause my reading to understand what direction the story was now taking – this is completely unlike me. Reading on, I had hoped some further explanations were going to be provided – it’s what I anticipate when characters start explaining their actions to one another – but this still didn’t help with my confusion.
As the novel reached its conclusion, I felt like some of my questions had been answered – but not all of them. Furthermore, the final twists at the end felt quite far-fetched and I was disbelieving about the mistaken identities. I thought it clever what Pattison was doing with the story, but some of the ideas were pushing what was believable and it made me feel a bit dissatisfied by the ending.
Don’t get me wrong: I think this is a very clever story and had huge potential. I really enjoyed my previous read from Pattison and this was largely on the same scale as that one. But, the execution in the last quarter did not match the building intensity of the read and the complexities of the story was a just a step too far for my head.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2022
Isabella Butterworth comes across several strange emails addressed to another person with her same exact name. She searches up the other Isabella and admires her beauty, her two daughters and handsome husband, Ian. When the main character is attacked by a man asking for the other Isabella, she becomes frightened and goes to the police. She tries to get in touch with the other Isabella and befriend her in hopes to warn her and prevent an attack. Will she be successful? Or will she end up in a worse situation than she could have ever thought of?
This was a very fun and entertaining read, with a few twists along the way that I did not figure out. Highly enjoyable and a bit of a different thriller, I can highly recommend FRIENDS DON’T LIE. It's a quick and easy read to get lost in for a day.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books, UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
This was a very fun and entertaining read, with a few twists along the way that I did not figure out. Highly enjoyable and a bit of a different thriller, I can highly recommend FRIENDS DON’T LIE. It's a quick and easy read to get lost in for a day.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books, UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
October 3, 2022
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
Friends don't keep secrets...friends don't lie...
We've all heard of doppelgangers but what about someone not only the same name as you but who lives in the same town and is relatively a similar age? You wouldn't read about it...or would you? I guess I just did. Because we have not one but two Isabella Butterworths living in Lincoln, a great cathedral city of England. But that is about where the similarities end. Because the two women have equally separate lives vastly different from the other. And one woman would never have found about the other had she not been mistaken for her in the first place.
Izzy Butterworth lives a quiet and isolated existence. She once had a circle of friends at uni with whom she has since grown apart, made especially clear when Izzy began to lose her hearing and socialising became something she dreaded. A misheard word turned into an entire missed conversation and Izzy found it easier to stop frequenting those places she found it difficult to follow conversations, despite her hearing aids.
Then one day, an email lands in her inbox that is addressed to her but is obviously not for her as the email attachments contained photographs that were clearly not her nor the husband and family she doesn't have. But this isn't the first time she's received an email for Isabella Butterworth - another Isabella Butterworth - and she's just binned them, citing them having been sent to her in error.
And then something strange happens. As she leaves her flat to grab a takeaway for dinner, she is accosted by a stranger demanding to see Isabella Butterworth and threatening to kill her. The incident shakes her to the core as he obviously believes the woman he seeks to be living in her flat. He obviously knows the other Isabella Butterworth which is why he didn't mistake her for the other woman. So why is he so desperate to find her? And why did he say he wanted to kill her?
Izzy is so intrigued by the turn of events that she uses the emails sent to her in error to learn more about this Isabella Butterworth. And what she discovers is that the other Isabella has everything that she doesn't. A handsome husband. Two beautiful children. And a gorgeous palatial home. But what should she do with this information? Warn her that she is in danger? But what if she doesn't believe her? And what if her attacker comes back looking for her? Is she putting them both in danger? No...she befriends her. And discovers that she likes this woman called Bella and through her finds a new confidence she was otherwise lacking in her own lonely and isolated life.
What an amazing read this is! I certainly never expected things to play out as they did when I started it last night. In fact, a few of the reviews left me feeling a bit "meh" about it and wondering if this was going to be a waste of my time...but it most certainly wasn't. I absolutely loved this psychological thriller that is so unique but well played from start to almost the finish. The one thing letting it down from being a five start read was the ending. Without giving anything away and my reasons why I feel this way, I just felt a little cheated at the end. But aside from that, it was an outstanding read.
I have read one other of this author's thrillers, "The Silent House" , but have yet to read the rest of that series. I like the fact that it factors in hearing loss and the deaf community and how something like that may hinder one's ability in such a story. But the author uses it as an aid rather than a disability, which I find refreshing. Although in this story, Izzy's hearing impairment is really only featured in the beginning and doesn't actually play in the bigger picture...you will understand why that is in the end.
The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of both Izzy and Bella, but in blocks of several chapters rather than an alternating chapter each. I think maybe the author should have thus divided the book into Part One - Izzy, Part Two - Bella and so forth for easier identification for some. I didn't have a problem with the alternating perspectives and actually found Bella's life a lot more interesting than Izzy's, for good reason I expect. Though I hated Bella's husband Ian with a passion. The man was a self centred git. And I could sympathise with Izzy as well because I could relate to her in some ways also...and found her somewhat sad.
There are a couple of twists even I didn't foresee coming - one is just over halfway through and the others are closer to the penultimate climax. The first twist I was like...what?? I did not see that coming! The other couple I figured out just before they were revealed. But wow! I really loved this read. And I can see why it is compared to Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell because the style is so very similar to the dark tone which is found in their writing.
The plot is very intricate and complex but not confusing. You always know at which point you are and whose narrative you are reading. But equally so, both characters do appear to be unreliable and there is that air of not knowing how much you can really trust them.
FRIENDS DON'T LIE is a dark psychological thriller that has a creepy and often sinister edge to it. I wanted to read it one sitting but I was too tired to finish overnight, completing it this morning. An outstanding thriller that's only flaw is the ending, for which I knock off a half star. Some readers may love it, but not me. But it still didn't ruin my overall enjoyment of this exceptional and intriguing read.
I would like to thank #NellPattison, #NetGalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #FriendsDontLie in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Friends don't keep secrets...friends don't lie...
We've all heard of doppelgangers but what about someone not only the same name as you but who lives in the same town and is relatively a similar age? You wouldn't read about it...or would you? I guess I just did. Because we have not one but two Isabella Butterworths living in Lincoln, a great cathedral city of England. But that is about where the similarities end. Because the two women have equally separate lives vastly different from the other. And one woman would never have found about the other had she not been mistaken for her in the first place.
Izzy Butterworth lives a quiet and isolated existence. She once had a circle of friends at uni with whom she has since grown apart, made especially clear when Izzy began to lose her hearing and socialising became something she dreaded. A misheard word turned into an entire missed conversation and Izzy found it easier to stop frequenting those places she found it difficult to follow conversations, despite her hearing aids.
Then one day, an email lands in her inbox that is addressed to her but is obviously not for her as the email attachments contained photographs that were clearly not her nor the husband and family she doesn't have. But this isn't the first time she's received an email for Isabella Butterworth - another Isabella Butterworth - and she's just binned them, citing them having been sent to her in error.
And then something strange happens. As she leaves her flat to grab a takeaway for dinner, she is accosted by a stranger demanding to see Isabella Butterworth and threatening to kill her. The incident shakes her to the core as he obviously believes the woman he seeks to be living in her flat. He obviously knows the other Isabella Butterworth which is why he didn't mistake her for the other woman. So why is he so desperate to find her? And why did he say he wanted to kill her?
Izzy is so intrigued by the turn of events that she uses the emails sent to her in error to learn more about this Isabella Butterworth. And what she discovers is that the other Isabella has everything that she doesn't. A handsome husband. Two beautiful children. And a gorgeous palatial home. But what should she do with this information? Warn her that she is in danger? But what if she doesn't believe her? And what if her attacker comes back looking for her? Is she putting them both in danger? No...she befriends her. And discovers that she likes this woman called Bella and through her finds a new confidence she was otherwise lacking in her own lonely and isolated life.
What an amazing read this is! I certainly never expected things to play out as they did when I started it last night. In fact, a few of the reviews left me feeling a bit "meh" about it and wondering if this was going to be a waste of my time...but it most certainly wasn't. I absolutely loved this psychological thriller that is so unique but well played from start to almost the finish. The one thing letting it down from being a five start read was the ending. Without giving anything away and my reasons why I feel this way, I just felt a little cheated at the end. But aside from that, it was an outstanding read.
I have read one other of this author's thrillers, "The Silent House" , but have yet to read the rest of that series. I like the fact that it factors in hearing loss and the deaf community and how something like that may hinder one's ability in such a story. But the author uses it as an aid rather than a disability, which I find refreshing. Although in this story, Izzy's hearing impairment is really only featured in the beginning and doesn't actually play in the bigger picture...you will understand why that is in the end.
The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of both Izzy and Bella, but in blocks of several chapters rather than an alternating chapter each. I think maybe the author should have thus divided the book into Part One - Izzy, Part Two - Bella and so forth for easier identification for some. I didn't have a problem with the alternating perspectives and actually found Bella's life a lot more interesting than Izzy's, for good reason I expect. Though I hated Bella's husband Ian with a passion. The man was a self centred git. And I could sympathise with Izzy as well because I could relate to her in some ways also...and found her somewhat sad.
There are a couple of twists even I didn't foresee coming - one is just over halfway through and the others are closer to the penultimate climax. The first twist I was like...what?? I did not see that coming! The other couple I figured out just before they were revealed. But wow! I really loved this read. And I can see why it is compared to Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell because the style is so very similar to the dark tone which is found in their writing.
The plot is very intricate and complex but not confusing. You always know at which point you are and whose narrative you are reading. But equally so, both characters do appear to be unreliable and there is that air of not knowing how much you can really trust them.
FRIENDS DON'T LIE is a dark psychological thriller that has a creepy and often sinister edge to it. I wanted to read it one sitting but I was too tired to finish overnight, completing it this morning. An outstanding thriller that's only flaw is the ending, for which I knock off a half star. Some readers may love it, but not me. But it still didn't ruin my overall enjoyment of this exceptional and intriguing read.
I would like to thank #NellPattison, #NetGalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #FriendsDontLie in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
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September 10, 2022The title is giving stranger things
July 24, 2022
This was an interesting (though odd) read, and I felt that it was a bit of a departure from the author’s other books. It centers on Isabella, who leads a pretty unremarkable life when she is attacked by a man who thinks she is someone else. Isabella has gotten emails meant for another woman with the same name and the attack makes her realize (though slowly) that the other Isabella is in danger.
While the book starts with the first Isabella, you also get chapters from the other Isabella so you get to know both of them as the story continues. There is a pretty major twist which I found to be well done though a little confusing. There were some things the characters did that I didn’t think any reasonable person would ever do and I was sometimes frustrated with them, but I enjoyed the way it all came together at the end.
Overall, fun read that I’d recommend for those who enjoy psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While the book starts with the first Isabella, you also get chapters from the other Isabella so you get to know both of them as the story continues. There is a pretty major twist which I found to be well done though a little confusing. There were some things the characters did that I didn’t think any reasonable person would ever do and I was sometimes frustrated with them, but I enjoyed the way it all came together at the end.
Overall, fun read that I’d recommend for those who enjoy psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2022
I wanted to like this more than I did. It took me at least half the freaking' book to even get into the story. So much of the first part is slow, just observing regular, daily activities. Things that in no way forward the plot. I skimmed but I kept reading because I was so intrigued by the mystery connecting these two women. I love unreliable characters and they afforded some good twists in the end. A decent read.
August 11, 2022
I like to stray away from romances and read a thriller every now and then. I saw this one on NetGalley and the description caught my attention.
Izzy is lonely. Like really lonely. She lives alone in her flat while her brother is serving time and she works from home. She has a group of friends that she has grown apart from and no longer shares anything in common. One day she is approached by a man who grabs her and demands to know where a woman is. Oddly the woman he is searching for has the same name as her. She decides to find this other Isabella Butterworth and try to warn her that a violent man is looking for her. To do this she decides to pretend to be someone else and befriend her, but things go wrong fairly quickly.
Now this book had some twists in it, I was able to guess the ending about halfway through. While I overall really enjoyed this book, I did get pretty confused around 3/4 the way through the book and had to reread parts of it to figure out what the hell was going on. I know the author was trying to throw you off what was going on, but I think they may have thrown a little too hard.
It is a good thriller with a little twist at the end that leaves you wanting to know more.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Izzy is lonely. Like really lonely. She lives alone in her flat while her brother is serving time and she works from home. She has a group of friends that she has grown apart from and no longer shares anything in common. One day she is approached by a man who grabs her and demands to know where a woman is. Oddly the woman he is searching for has the same name as her. She decides to find this other Isabella Butterworth and try to warn her that a violent man is looking for her. To do this she decides to pretend to be someone else and befriend her, but things go wrong fairly quickly.
Now this book had some twists in it, I was able to guess the ending about halfway through. While I overall really enjoyed this book, I did get pretty confused around 3/4 the way through the book and had to reread parts of it to figure out what the hell was going on. I know the author was trying to throw you off what was going on, but I think they may have thrown a little too hard.
It is a good thriller with a little twist at the end that leaves you wanting to know more.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 31, 2023
My name is Isabel Butterworth.
Your name is Isabel Butterworth. We're around the same age. We live in the same town.
But your life is more exciting than mine, isn't it? Richer, dramatic, more fulfilling. Imagine if I'd never found out about you... But I have.
Because someone mistook me for you. And now I can't stop thinking about you because I know you're in trouble. You need my help, and I need a way to get to know you. To save you. To be you!!
This is a great intense read that is full of twists and secrets that kept me engrossed throughout.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Your name is Isabel Butterworth. We're around the same age. We live in the same town.
But your life is more exciting than mine, isn't it? Richer, dramatic, more fulfilling. Imagine if I'd never found out about you... But I have.
Because someone mistook me for you. And now I can't stop thinking about you because I know you're in trouble. You need my help, and I need a way to get to know you. To save you. To be you!!
This is a great intense read that is full of twists and secrets that kept me engrossed throughout.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2024
*Scratches head*
I honestly thought I had this book figured out, the who done it, the why they did it and all that jazz. Then the last part of the book happened and I was left a little shook. The twist in a twist actually sent me back tracking most of the book to see what I'd missed! I didn't know if I'd broken concentration and missed something huge. No, I read it right the first time. It took me a minute of open mouthed re-reading but I got there. A fine line between a little confusing and very smart writing, it's still a fast paced plot and an easy read.
I honestly thought I had this book figured out, the who done it, the why they did it and all that jazz. Then the last part of the book happened and I was left a little shook. The twist in a twist actually sent me back tracking most of the book to see what I'd missed! I didn't know if I'd broken concentration and missed something huge. No, I read it right the first time. It took me a minute of open mouthed re-reading but I got there. A fine line between a little confusing and very smart writing, it's still a fast paced plot and an easy read.
July 2, 2022
Absolute edge of seat reading! Read this in one sitting as I was way too intrigued I wanted to race to the end, only to regret that I'd read it so fast.
I had no idea where this might go, and if I had a million guesses, I still would not have been anywhere near close.
This plot is VERY intricate so be sure to give this your full attention. Its dark, twisty and I never knew quite who to trust.
Great to see some deaf representation in the book too, always a plus to see this.
If you want to feel frightened, shocked, and completely absorbed into something, this is a must read.
I had no idea where this might go, and if I had a million guesses, I still would not have been anywhere near close.
This plot is VERY intricate so be sure to give this your full attention. Its dark, twisty and I never knew quite who to trust.
Great to see some deaf representation in the book too, always a plus to see this.
If you want to feel frightened, shocked, and completely absorbed into something, this is a must read.
dnf
July 15, 2022 *I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review.*
I could not finish this. It takes forever to really get going, and in the meantime you have to suffer through an expanse that seems like the author was trying to fluff their word count - the writing is rather repetitive with a penchant for stating the obvious after making a point. I predict some readers will love it, but I didn't.
I could not finish this. It takes forever to really get going, and in the meantime you have to suffer through an expanse that seems like the author was trying to fluff their word count - the writing is rather repetitive with a penchant for stating the obvious after making a point. I predict some readers will love it, but I didn't.
July 28, 2022
I feel horribly unfair to the author.
See, I love when the author uses her books to talk about deaf culture and has deaf main characters. And while I understand that she may wish to branch out a bit, I find myself a bit disappointed when she does.
To be fair, our main character is hearing impaired – the thing is that it’s marginally important in the beginning of the book and then basically forgotten for the rest of the book. And I get it – the book is a suspense thriller that isn’t at all about deafness – but I still felt like since there was a focus on it in the beginning, it should have carried through.
That being said, it’s a good and suspenseful book and definitely has a surprise that I didn’t expect AT ALL. I mean, when we get the reveal, I literally stopped reading and then reread that section because I was so shocked. That was awesome!
A good book and a very good writer. I think I just need to get past my own expectations of her work!
*ARC via Net Galley
See, I love when the author uses her books to talk about deaf culture and has deaf main characters. And while I understand that she may wish to branch out a bit, I find myself a bit disappointed when she does.
To be fair, our main character is hearing impaired – the thing is that it’s marginally important in the beginning of the book and then basically forgotten for the rest of the book. And I get it – the book is a suspense thriller that isn’t at all about deafness – but I still felt like since there was a focus on it in the beginning, it should have carried through.
That being said, it’s a good and suspenseful book and definitely has a surprise that I didn’t expect AT ALL. I mean, when we get the reveal, I literally stopped reading and then reread that section because I was so shocked. That was awesome!
A good book and a very good writer. I think I just need to get past my own expectations of her work!
*ARC via Net Galley
October 7, 2022
Friends Don't Lie By Nell Pattison
This was hard going after reading the fantastic Hide I was looking FWD. to this but I found it slow and boring and it just never hit home for me.
Two people share the same name and here our story starts and continues to meander its way through 400 odd pages where absolutely nothing happens I found the story boring felt frustrated by the lead character who made stupid decisions and did not feel compelled to pick the book up and turn the page.
Reading about both the two leads dull life was not interesting and I wasn't a fan of the ending.
Maybe a 50 year old guy is not the target audience.
Not worth your time or hard-earned cash.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This was hard going after reading the fantastic Hide I was looking FWD. to this but I found it slow and boring and it just never hit home for me.
Two people share the same name and here our story starts and continues to meander its way through 400 odd pages where absolutely nothing happens I found the story boring felt frustrated by the lead character who made stupid decisions and did not feel compelled to pick the book up and turn the page.
Reading about both the two leads dull life was not interesting and I wasn't a fan of the ending.
Maybe a 50 year old guy is not the target audience.
Not worth your time or hard-earned cash.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 27, 2022
This thriller was just "ok." It had a slow start, but eventually held my attention enough to keep me entertained. That said, one big twist seemed was almost too big of a twist to seem feasible. I had to go back and reread sections, and I am still not totally sold on its execution. Other parts I had kind of figured out along the way. Still, this wasn't my favorite thriller, and I think readers could pick better options.
June 24, 2025
I love a good thriller, particularly one with a good twist and there definitely were plenty of twists and turns in Nell Pattison’s new novel. This one however is a bit of a slow burn and frankly I found some of the characters a tad irritating which kind of took away from the overall story for me. But otherwise a solid mid range thriller, perfect for a summer read that doesn’t require too much head space.
August 17, 2022
Isabella Butterworth has been working from home as a virtual assistant, since she started to lose her hearing. Unwilling to tell her friends she’s pulled away because she doesn’t want to admit she’s struggling to keep up with their conversations, she’s becoming more and more reclusive. That is until she’s attacked on the street, by a man looking for Isabella Butterworth - except it’s not her. Determined to find the lady with the same name the stranger was threatening to kill, so she can warn her, Isabella does some intense internet sleuthing to try and befriend her…and find out why her attacker is after her.
I was really enjoying this book until a certain plot twist. I absolutely love a plot twist that can leave you reeling, but one that is just utterly confusing and seems to leave huge holes in the entire plot? No. I honestly felt like I’d have to go back and read the entire book again to figure out if it made any sense at all. That was a shame, because up until that point, I was completely captivated by this story! (Which is why it’s still getting 4 stars from me). So many of the characters were unlikeable or downright crazy, but it worked to keep me emotionally invested in the outcome.
This was a really good thriller and I’d recommend giving it a try, just expect to get lost around 3/4 of the way through 😅
I was really enjoying this book until a certain plot twist. I absolutely love a plot twist that can leave you reeling, but one that is just utterly confusing and seems to leave huge holes in the entire plot? No. I honestly felt like I’d have to go back and read the entire book again to figure out if it made any sense at all. That was a shame, because up until that point, I was completely captivated by this story! (Which is why it’s still getting 4 stars from me). So many of the characters were unlikeable or downright crazy, but it worked to keep me emotionally invested in the outcome.
This was a really good thriller and I’d recommend giving it a try, just expect to get lost around 3/4 of the way through 😅
October 2, 2022
My thanks to Avon Books U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Friends Don’t Lie’ by Nell Pattison.
Well this was quite something! Isabella (Izzy) Butterworth lives in Lincoln, working from home as a virtual assistant. For the past couple of years she has occasionally received emails intended for another Isabella Butterworth. She ignores them.
Then one evening she is accosted outside her home by a man who demands to know where Isabella Butterworth is. It quickly becomes clear to Izzy that this man is dangerous. She manages to deflect him but continues to worry about the other Isabella (Bella).
As a result she uses the emails that she had received to track down Bella and after discovering that they live in the same town, Izzy hatches a plan to meet and then befriend Bella, using a fake identity, in order to protect her and then to discover why she had been targeted. No further details to avoid spoilers.
‘Friends Don’t Lie’ was packed with lies, deceptions, and satisfying twists. Murder also features… It was a gripping domestic noir/psychological thriller. I didn’t mind that some aspects of the plot were rather ‘out there’. I was happy enough to suspend my disbelief as the story played out.
Well this was quite something! Isabella (Izzy) Butterworth lives in Lincoln, working from home as a virtual assistant. For the past couple of years she has occasionally received emails intended for another Isabella Butterworth. She ignores them.
Then one evening she is accosted outside her home by a man who demands to know where Isabella Butterworth is. It quickly becomes clear to Izzy that this man is dangerous. She manages to deflect him but continues to worry about the other Isabella (Bella).
As a result she uses the emails that she had received to track down Bella and after discovering that they live in the same town, Izzy hatches a plan to meet and then befriend Bella, using a fake identity, in order to protect her and then to discover why she had been targeted. No further details to avoid spoilers.
‘Friends Don’t Lie’ was packed with lies, deceptions, and satisfying twists. Murder also features… It was a gripping domestic noir/psychological thriller. I didn’t mind that some aspects of the plot were rather ‘out there’. I was happy enough to suspend my disbelief as the story played out.
September 26, 2022
Two women with the same name get involved in a friendship. But are they really friends? Looking back after I finished the book I decided that you either figured out the twisty twists right at the beginning or, like me, you were kind of oblivious until the author spelled it out for you. Depending on your temperament, either is fine. Usually I don't like figuring things out too early because then I'm waiting for the book to catch up to me. This time, I felt a little off kilter being caught off guard by events. I had to stop and think and piece things together. That made for an interesting and engaging read! However, as is the case with a lot of books, I could have done without the excessively explanatory epilogue. The rest of the book outlined most of the things explained and a much shorter epilogue would have sufficed, or none at all. You know me and my not-so-neatly-wrapped-package endings!
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
October 12, 2022
This is my fifth read from Nell Pattison. I was gripped from the first few chapters. The characters were intriguing to me and although I guessed some of the twists, the ending left me speechless. Dark and compelling, I recommend Friends Don't Lie very highly.
This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Avon Books UK via NetGalley.
This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Avon Books UK via NetGalley.
October 15, 2022
3.5 - I was on the verge of getting slightly bored when the POV changed to another character and from thereon in I felt more invested. There were a few twists and about a third from the end I felt very confused by a twist and that it had gone a little silly but all in all I liked how it came together and it's not often I read a book in 24 hours so must have been good!
May 5, 2024
I enjoyed this book, I listened to it on an audiobook. It really captivated me as I didn’t know what was going to happen next… a nice twist towards the end ✨
I’d recommend, it’s a nice easy read.
I’d recommend, it’s a nice easy read.
September 8, 2024
I enjoyed the premise. I found it was slow getting started.
October 1, 2022
Gifted copy from Avon Books - Wow, honestly what an incredible thriller! The plot is so fast paced, with increasing atmosphere and there were so many twists and reveals near the end that I never could have predicted. I really love Pattison’s writing style, the chapters alternate from different points of view and as the narrators appear unreliable it made me immersed into the plot. The character development was also strong and slightly misleading at times, but in a really good way. I feel I can’t say too much about the plot as I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I loved it!
If you want a gripping, fast paced, twisty thriller I highly recommend this book! It’s become rare for me to rate a thriller five stars and this is definitely a new favourite.
If you want a gripping, fast paced, twisty thriller I highly recommend this book! It’s become rare for me to rate a thriller five stars and this is definitely a new favourite.
November 6, 2022
The end is a bit abrupt but interesting :o
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