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Her Perfect Lie
Would you commit a crime to save your sister?
Priya could have any job in Bengaluru's prestigious hotel industry, but she chooses to slave away as a janitor. She doesn't deserve the high class life - not after what she did ten years ago.
Orphaned when she was young, Priya has always taken care of her younger sister, Kavi. But Kavi never wanted to play by the rules. She ran with the fast crowd until all the crazy nights partying ended tragically with one terrible incident.
Now, struggling to piece together their shattered lives, Priya gets a letter in the mail.
Someone is watching their every move.
Their mysterious stalker doesn't want money.
They don't want answers. What they want is much, much worse.
Will Priya risk everything to protect her sister, even if it means she has to keep a dangerous secret? Or will the watcher in the shadows finally make the women pay the ultimate toll...
Priya could have any job in Bengaluru's prestigious hotel industry, but she chooses to slave away as a janitor. She doesn't deserve the high class life - not after what she did ten years ago.
Orphaned when she was young, Priya has always taken care of her younger sister, Kavi. But Kavi never wanted to play by the rules. She ran with the fast crowd until all the crazy nights partying ended tragically with one terrible incident.
Now, struggling to piece together their shattered lives, Priya gets a letter in the mail.
Someone is watching their every move.
Their mysterious stalker doesn't want money.
They don't want answers. What they want is much, much worse.
Will Priya risk everything to protect her sister, even if it means she has to keep a dangerous secret? Or will the watcher in the shadows finally make the women pay the ultimate toll...
420 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2022
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Ambil
1 bookM. J. Ambil first started writing humorous fiction when she was just a teenager and shared them to surprisingly encouraging feedback on Yahoo groups. Her life took a detour from writing during and after college, when she tried to do everything she could to have a successful corporate career that would, of course, guarantee happiness forever.
But to her utter dismay, upon graduation, she was forced to remove her rose-tinted glasses and live in a world of dreary grey cubicles, project deadlines, and a shocking lack of happily-ever-afters, until finally, she came upon a one-off evening class at Stanford. It was a class on the art of fiction and it reminded her of her hopeless love for writing. She realized that nothing could make her as happy as creating fictional worlds in her mind and on paper, so she bade a cheerful goodbye to the corporate world and hasn’t looked back ever since.
Today, she loves writing about strong women, their friendships, and the courage they find within themselves to turn their worlds around. Having lived in both India and the U.S., M. J. likes to blend a bit of both worlds in her writing. Now she spends her days creating intrigue, drama and happy endings on page.
But to her utter dismay, upon graduation, she was forced to remove her rose-tinted glasses and live in a world of dreary grey cubicles, project deadlines, and a shocking lack of happily-ever-afters, until finally, she came upon a one-off evening class at Stanford. It was a class on the art of fiction and it reminded her of her hopeless love for writing. She realized that nothing could make her as happy as creating fictional worlds in her mind and on paper, so she bade a cheerful goodbye to the corporate world and hasn’t looked back ever since.
Today, she loves writing about strong women, their friendships, and the courage they find within themselves to turn their worlds around. Having lived in both India and the U.S., M. J. likes to blend a bit of both worlds in her writing. Now she spends her days creating intrigue, drama and happy endings on page.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 12, 2023
Would you commit a major crime if you knew it would save your sister from harm? After being orphaned at a young age, Priya has raised and cared for her younger, wilder sister Kavi. Priya would do anything for Kavi, and provides her with all she needs while neglecting herself. She could work for any of the elite hotels in her town of Bengalaru, but feels she isn’t worthy to live a comfortable life after what she did ten years prior. Priya works for little pay as a janitor in a small cafe. She also runs a catering business from its kitchen at night, unbeknownst to the cafe owner, Dev. She works very long hours in order to keep herself and her sister afloat and in their shabby, sparsely furnished apartment. Priya receives a threatening letter in the mail; someone is following them, and watching their every move. What does the author of the letter want? Well, it’s not cash, nor is it answers, it’s actually something much more nefarious. Will Priya follow through on her plan and risk everything, or will the sisters come to a gruesome end?
A well-written thriller sent in India, “Her Perfect Lie” is exciting, very readable, and quite chilling at times. Priya is a young woman in the role of mother and caregiver, who could really use a person like that herself. She forsakes all of her own dreams and needs to give Kavi everything; and Kavi only wants the best of everything, whether that’s the latest phone or fashion clothing. Kavi associates with the wrong crowd, and dates the wrong type of man. One of these wrong men is the catalyst that drives the plot forward. You can clearly see the portrayal of Indian men in high positions looking down on the women they supposedly love, feeling women are inferior to them. If a woman complains, she is belittled and/or ignored. That was incredibly difficult to read. However, the novel is also filled with food, culture, and clothing references, and I loved getting a small peek into those Indian traditions. It is also about friendship, and women banding together for a cause, which is uplifting and powerful. I highly recommend this engrossing work with its twists and turns. It will invoke all of your emotions, leading to the conclusion which is quite satisfying.
I’d like to thank BookSirens, and M. J. Ambil for the ability to read and review this ARC.
A well-written thriller sent in India, “Her Perfect Lie” is exciting, very readable, and quite chilling at times. Priya is a young woman in the role of mother and caregiver, who could really use a person like that herself. She forsakes all of her own dreams and needs to give Kavi everything; and Kavi only wants the best of everything, whether that’s the latest phone or fashion clothing. Kavi associates with the wrong crowd, and dates the wrong type of man. One of these wrong men is the catalyst that drives the plot forward. You can clearly see the portrayal of Indian men in high positions looking down on the women they supposedly love, feeling women are inferior to them. If a woman complains, she is belittled and/or ignored. That was incredibly difficult to read. However, the novel is also filled with food, culture, and clothing references, and I loved getting a small peek into those Indian traditions. It is also about friendship, and women banding together for a cause, which is uplifting and powerful. I highly recommend this engrossing work with its twists and turns. It will invoke all of your emotions, leading to the conclusion which is quite satisfying.
I’d like to thank BookSirens, and M. J. Ambil for the ability to read and review this ARC.
August 9, 2022
Her Perfect Lie by M. J. Ambil is an emotional rollercoaster ride. Set in India, it shows the struggles women face everyday living in a male dominated society. Priya will do anything to protect her younger sister Kavi. She risks everything for her including her own freedom. Then she finds out they are being watched. Who is after them? Pryia hatches a plan to earn enough money to send Kavi to an American college so she can get her away from a very dangerous man. But can she do it in time to save Kavi? She drags her best friends into it and puts all their lives in danger. This story shows the cultural differences that plague the lives of women in India. There is male dominance and domestic violence in this psychological thriller.
I’d like to thank Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the free eARC of this story.
I’d like to thank Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the free eARC of this story.
August 9, 2022
I won't say this is a fun read but an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows. This dealt with domestic violence, economic inequality, abuse of the system, and deep friendship. The bond these three women formed was one you want in your life. Something real and lifelong. The author was brilliant in telling her tale, and I was enticed and then overwhelmed to find out what path Priya was going to take. There were parts when I felt like I knew what was going to happen, and the author surprises you and takes you on a different path. I was emotionally invested and hope to read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 4, 2022
How far would you go to protect and provide for your family? Would you commit a crime?
In HER PERFECT LIE by M.J. Ambil we meet sisters, Priya and Kavi, bound together by tragedy where one giveth and one taketh (and THEN some). As Priya struggles under the weight of trying to give Kavi everything she can, Kavi finds herself often with mean men of means, which lead her into increasingly dangerous situations. Priya enlists the help of her best friends Uma and Lata in a proposal for a new restaurant. The ladies all have an ulterior motive and it’s interesting to watch how each of the women justifies to themselves and others just why she’s willing to put her family’s security in jeopardy. After being double crossed at every turn the ladies finally realize their dreams. But they all seem to realize eventually that dreams can be re-imagined.
I really enjoyed Miss Ambil’s writing style which led a smooth easy flow from one encounter to the next. She said in her afterword that it took her six years to complete the book and I for one I am so grateful that she did. This was my first book by Miss Ambil but it will certainly not be my last. Great Job!
Thank you to Book Sirens for making this ARC available. I received a free copy of this book for my free and honest review.
In HER PERFECT LIE by M.J. Ambil we meet sisters, Priya and Kavi, bound together by tragedy where one giveth and one taketh (and THEN some). As Priya struggles under the weight of trying to give Kavi everything she can, Kavi finds herself often with mean men of means, which lead her into increasingly dangerous situations. Priya enlists the help of her best friends Uma and Lata in a proposal for a new restaurant. The ladies all have an ulterior motive and it’s interesting to watch how each of the women justifies to themselves and others just why she’s willing to put her family’s security in jeopardy. After being double crossed at every turn the ladies finally realize their dreams. But they all seem to realize eventually that dreams can be re-imagined.
I really enjoyed Miss Ambil’s writing style which led a smooth easy flow from one encounter to the next. She said in her afterword that it took her six years to complete the book and I for one I am so grateful that she did. This was my first book by Miss Ambil but it will certainly not be my last. Great Job!
Thank you to Book Sirens for making this ARC available. I received a free copy of this book for my free and honest review.
August 12, 2022
Priya could have any job in bengaluru’s prestigious hotel industry, but she chooses to slave away as a janitor, she doesn’t deserve the high class life not after what she did ten years ago.
Orphaned at a young age, she always had to take care of her younger sister, Kavi. But Kavi never wanted to play by the rules, she ran with the fast crowd until all the crazy nights partying ended tragically with one fatal mistake.
Now struggling to piece together their shattered lives, Priya gets a letter in the mail.
Someone is watching their every move.
Their mysterious stalker doesn’t want money.
They don’t want answers, what they want is much, much worse.
Will Priya risk it all to protect a sister with a dark secret, or will the watcher in the shadows finally make the women pay the ultimate toll.
Wow I couldn’t put it down really gripping read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and ARC Provided By Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op
I just reviewed Her Perfect Lie by M. J. Ambil. #HerPerfectLie #NetGalley
Orphaned at a young age, she always had to take care of her younger sister, Kavi. But Kavi never wanted to play by the rules, she ran with the fast crowd until all the crazy nights partying ended tragically with one fatal mistake.
Now struggling to piece together their shattered lives, Priya gets a letter in the mail.
Someone is watching their every move.
Their mysterious stalker doesn’t want money.
They don’t want answers, what they want is much, much worse.
Will Priya risk it all to protect a sister with a dark secret, or will the watcher in the shadows finally make the women pay the ultimate toll.
Wow I couldn’t put it down really gripping read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and ARC Provided By Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op
I just reviewed Her Perfect Lie by M. J. Ambil. #HerPerfectLie #NetGalley
August 19, 2022
was an okay story for me. Did not particularly feel the psychological thriller aspect but it was definitely an interesting read. The story unfolds around two sisters, Kavi and Priya who live in a patriachal Indian society. Their parents died when Kavi was young and Priya has stepped up to plate as parent and big sister, sacrificing her dreams and desires to make Kavi's dreams come through. Priya is a classic case of self-sacrificing to point of her own detriment. Meanwhile Kavi is living it up in the high life with no care or concern for the price that comes along with that glitz and glam designer life. In the end, the sisters seem to find themselves, and Priya can finally realize her dreams along with her best friends.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2023
Priya works as a janitor and takes care of her younger sister Kavi. Kavi was out of control with partying until a tragic accident happened one night. Now they are being threatened with letters in the mail, and the sender doesn't want money. They want something much worse and the major question of the book is: will Priya risk it all for her sister even if it means she has to keep a dangerous secret?
I liked how the three women in the book had such a close bond with one another. This book made you think you knew what was going to happen, onyl to have it go in a completely different direction. Overall it was a great book and I would recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
I liked how the three women in the book had such a close bond with one another. This book made you think you knew what was going to happen, onyl to have it go in a completely different direction. Overall it was a great book and I would recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
August 31, 2022
I enjoyed this book. My first from this particular author.
The setting in India and the culture described therein was interesting, which made it a bit "educational" for me as well.
The characters were varied and on many levels of the social stratus, which also added to the story line, and ranged from filthy rich to dirt poor. The main three female characters were up to their neck in things and were easy to root for, while the ruthless ones, I really wanted to see them get what they deserved, and then some.
It was a good read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The setting in India and the culture described therein was interesting, which made it a bit "educational" for me as well.
The characters were varied and on many levels of the social stratus, which also added to the story line, and ranged from filthy rich to dirt poor. The main three female characters were up to their neck in things and were easy to root for, while the ruthless ones, I really wanted to see them get what they deserved, and then some.
It was a good read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 6, 2022
I didn't know what to expect from this book but it felt like a rollercoaster of emotions. Despite being from different cultures, growing up differently, and being from different parts of the world, I felt connected to the two sisters, Priya and Kavi. Their bond is unbreakable and they would do anything for each other despite Kavi's rebellious, curious side.
I read this book in a day and a half, I could not put this book down once I got into it. The character construct and development are spot on by Ambil, highly recommend it. This book will have you guessing to the very end.
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I read this book in a day and a half, I could not put this book down once I got into it. The character construct and development are spot on by Ambil, highly recommend it. This book will have you guessing to the very end.
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 15, 2025
Many times I wanted to quit this book. A lot of the characters were selfish, and there was so much deception that I just had stop reading several times. I felt sorry for Priya, but also she was blind about several people, including her sister. Trying to make everyone happy, she was miserable, and even was planning crimes because of her sister. I understand how powerful that love can blind, but when someone’s moral compass is skewed that much, a person has to wonder is it love, obsession, or manipulation?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 13, 2022
A psychological thriller about family and what people will do to protect them. Priya feels the need to punish herself for something that occurred ten years prior. Priya always protected her sister, her sister is wild and unconventional. Her sister refuses to be confined by the rules, until one fateful night, an event happens that changes everything. Now, Priya is receiving threatening messages about her secrets and they want more than just money. She has to do everything she can to protect her family and find the watcher. A mysterious story with strong female characters and a fast paced read with well written plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 11, 2022
I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is a new author that I enjoyed and look forward to seeing what is next for them. This is a well written story about secrets and family. How far will you go to protect your sister? This is a fast paced, engaging story that is hard to put down. A story that is full of suspense and twists and turns that you don't want to miss. The characters bring the story to life on each page. They are connectable and kept me coming back for more. This is a great afternoon read which I highly recommend reading.
August 19, 2022
This was an okay read but certainly not a psychological thriller. Set in Bengaluru, India it is the tale of two sisters Priya and Kavi. Priya works as a janitor to support both herself and her academically gifted sister, as their parents died in a car accident. Kavi is somewhat wild and ill-disciplned and an incident flowing a night of partying sets the stage for unforseen demands from someone who has been watching their every move.
Priya has to ultimately decide how far she is willing to go to protect Kavi and how much she will have to sacrifice of her own life in doing so.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 3 stars
Priya has to ultimately decide how far she is willing to go to protect Kavi and how much she will have to sacrifice of her own life in doing so.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 3 stars
September 1, 2022
India is a place of beauty and mystery. It is also culturally different but changing. In this soul-searching book, the underbelly of doing business as a woman is exposed as Priya tries to succeed for all the wrong reasons until she uncovers the reality of her friends, family and personal worth are unveiled. A gripping story of a young entrepreneur struggling for her start in a world of business. Definitely riveting and unveiling if kindred sister souls. A must read for all to find themselves in the reading and a journey for all to feel and read. Outstanding!!
August 10, 2022
What a thrilling and gripping read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
November 14, 2022
Priya and Kavi parents were killed in an automobile accident. Priya with great sacrifice has made it her mission to do everything she can to help Kavi attend college and become successful. Kavi is being stalked by someone who doesn’t want money but something else. Male dominance and violence are common in India and Priya has obstacles to overcome to protect Kavi.
August 13, 2022
Her Perfect Lie by M. J. Ambil.
Would you commit a crime to save your sister?
Brilliant read. Twisty and tense. Great story. Likeable characters. Apart from Mahesh. 5*.
Would you commit a crime to save your sister?
Brilliant read. Twisty and tense. Great story. Likeable characters. Apart from Mahesh. 5*.
August 21, 2022
This is my first DNF. It didn’t hold my interest. I stopped after chapter 4.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews