Big thanks to Netgalley, Riley Sager, and Dutton Publishing for sending me a copy of the book to review. All thoughts on this book are my own.

Ohmygosh, hooked right away. With all of the mediocre thrillers and mysteries I've read lately, I welcomed this with open arms. I haven't read a thriller that has engrossed me so much since The Broken Girls (which my review is linked here if you're interested).

Unlike many of the recent thrillers I've read, this is strong with character development. Another strong suit of this book is that it gives out just enough information regarding the mystery at a great pace. There's always something happening and it's all connected to what we're reading to find out about. It's not overly filled with fluff and unnecessary info. Even when things seem small, they're connected and Sager does a fine job giving a little at a time to continue reeling in the reader.

I didn't want to put this down. I was finding myself reading pages while waiting for the kitchen timer to go off, my boyfriend to leave the bathroom, commercial breaks, any time I had a free second when I wasn't actually in reading mode. One thing that I noticed that is very important at least for me is that I was interested in every section. Many times when a book is broken into the past and present, I find myself more interested in one section more than the other which leads to a frustrating read for me. This novel is broken into present times and fifteen years prior. No matter what section I was reading, there was important information and all of it was interesting. One small issue that could be confusing to some is that when the book switches from the past to the present chapters, it does not always notify you that it's doing so. It's not that difficult though because you can tell which period it is based on the characters around so remembering characters is very important for this particular read. There are not too many to find it confusing however and it was relatively simple for me to differentiate the chapters quickly. Even so, there were times where it stated fifteen years prior. It was definitely intentional when the chapters were flipping without notification and I can see why. 

Every chapter was important and continued to bring pertinent information to the story which is refreshing as I feel like I've recently read many books that contained information that I did not feel quite necessary. This was a literal page turner for me.

The ending was so unexpected and if you read the book, you'll know exactly what I mean. It's a double shock and I'm a little twisted in the head from it at the moment as I literally just put the book down.

As a thriller, I cannot review any more without giving away details, surprises, and ultimately the joy of actually reading a thriller/mystery but I do 100% suggest reading this. I'd be very surprised if you left this book disappointed in any way. I will definitely be picking up Sager's previous book in the near future.

Now, I want to play a game with you. Two truths and a Lie: 1) I didn't see that coming 2) The book is wonderful and 3)  You'll regret reading this.

Okay, I suck at this game. You know what the lie is... now, put this on your "to be read" list and go get it on July 3rd!!

First line: This is how it begins.

Summary: When Emma Davis is asked to return to Camp Nightingale it brings many memories and fears to mind. One summer, fifteen years before, Emma was a camper at Camp Nightingale and the three girls from her cabin all disappeared. Now as an artist on the rise, she continues to paint the missing girls Vivian, Natalie and Allison. Maybe going back will help Emma get past her demons and find out what truly happened to the girls of Dogwood cabin.

“I want to go inside, look around, see what memories it dredges up. That’s why I’m here, after all. Yet when I twist the doorknob, I realize my hand is shaking. I don’t know what I’m expecting. Ghosts, I suppose.”


Highlights: Sager’s latest novel is one of nostalgia for me. Having attended a summer camp near a large lake and cabins with no AC, this brought back many memories for me. The uncomfortable nights where everything is hot and sticky, canoeing on the lake, campfires and crafts. My sister, my cousins and I attended Quaker Haven Camp in Northern Indiana for two summers. We loved every minute of it. We made friends, crafts and memories. Even at church camp, you hear the stories of some creepy man that stalks the woods or a ghost that kidnaps children. This is what summer was as a kid at camp.
I could picture Camp Nightingale as clear as day. As Emma looks deeper into the events of fifteen years before she slowly reveals more memories that she has kept hidden. The author leads us in many different directions to keep us guessing. I loved the mystery of the lake. With each new tidbit, I was even more intrigued.
The ending was not what I expected. It wrapped up, we got the mystery solved but then…that ending! Holy cow! My chest was tight. My heart was pounding. I had to set the book down and breathe after the last page. The fact that Sager once again got a five star review from me is astounding. I cannot wait for his next book.

Lowlights: The only downfall was that I could not be reading this in a lawn chair on the shores of Dewart Lake in Indiana. That would have made this perfect.

FYI: This is the perfect book to take on a weekend trip to the lake!

This thriller was so fun for me to read. I was excited to receive an ARC after reading Final Girls by Riley Sager last year. The Last Time I Lied was EQUALLY good - yes, you read that correctly - this is another 5-star read by this author.

The reason why I found this book so enjoyable to read is that almost the entire novel is set at Camp Nightingale. I personally attended a fair amount of summer camp as a child and teenager, and it made me very nostalgic to that time.

The Last Time I Lied follows Emma who was a camper 15 years ago at Camp Nightingale when 3 girls (her fellow cabin-mates) went missing in the night, never to be seen again. Emma has not coped well with the disappearances, as she finds herself somewhat responsible since she was the last person to see them before they disappeared. Since then, she has occasionally seen hallucinations of them and has buried them secretly in each of her paintings - which are numerous since she makes her livelihood as a painter. The owner of Camp Nightingale approaches her to return to the camp as an art instructor, and she decides that this experience may give her the closure she has lacked through the years. The whole time she is there, the reader is filled with a creepy vibe almost akin to being afraid of the dark while you try to figure out alongside Emma what is going on and who is to blame for the original disappearances. I read the last 60% in one sitting (and stayed up very late doing so) because I just had to know how it ended. This is an incredible, fast-paced, atmospheric read.

THANK YOU to Netgalley and the publisher for my early copy of this book. All views are my own.

I loved this book. I read Riley Sager's debut novel because of the premise - I love horror movie tropes, and the "final girls" trope is as cliche as it gets - and was not disappointed. It was like a love letter to all my favorite movies, with a fresh twist that kept it interesting. But where that book felt like a debut, Sager's latest novel feels like the polished work of someone who knows their audience, knows their appeal, and dives in with both feet. This book brings back all those nostalgic feelings of the first - the 80s horror movie tropes abound - while being so atmospheric and readable that I could not put it down. I highly recommend this one.

Two Truths and A Lie:
1. I grew up OBSESSED with summer camp. The Babysitters Club Super Special "Summer Vacation" was a yearly re-read. I loved the idea of camp uniforms, cabins, woods, & bonfires.

2. I love Riley Sager.

3. The Last Time I Lied is the book of the summer.

- Actually - all of these are truths.

Riley Sager has taken that cozy idea of a sleepaway camp and turned it upside down. Emma is a first time camper at Camp Nightingale. Since she's a late arrival, she's placed in a cabin with three older girls, Vivian, Natalie and Allison. Camp Nightingale has a reputation...as Camp Rich Bitch. It's a camp for girls of privilege and wealth.

Emma find herself taken under Vivian's wing, she's allowed to trail along with the older girls. Vivian treats her like a younger sister, showing her the camp ropes. July 5 - Emma wakes up to an empty cabin. Vivian, Natalie and Allison have all disappeared. Emma saw them sneak out, and is told she's too young to go with them. They are never found.

Fifteen years later, Emma is a painter, haunted by the three missing girls. She returns to the recently reopened Camp Nightingale and is determined to solve the mystery of her missing bunkmates. Clues are found and the suspect list grows longer and longer. ----and that's all I can say about this.

This is a thriller, a mystery and a redemption story. It's full of nostalgia and hope and fear and forgiveness. It's the perfect book for a long summer night.

Riley Sager is a master at creating an atmosphere. I could hear twigs snapping and the lake lapping against the dock. It's clear he's a fan of the 80's horror movie genre but I could see hints of "Picnic at Hanging Rock" as well - which, after reading the acknowledgements - I was right!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and my main man, Riley, for the opportunity to read this book.

“There are things we don’t want to happen but we have to accept, things we don’t want to learn, and people we don’t want to live without but have to let go.”
Riley Sager's new book, The Last Time Lied, takes this quote to heart.
In this suspense filled thriller, Sager spins a tale of three girls from one tent who disappear one night at a summer sleep away camp fifteen years ago. The lone remaining camper in that tent, Emma, was only thirteen at the time and finds herself tormented by that horrific event.
Years later, Emma, uses that event though to build a budding successful career as a painter. All of her paintings are her “vision” of the “the three girls” from Camp Nightingale.
Emma, now twenty-eight, is invited back to the reopening of Camp Nightingale as a paint instructor by the camps family.
Will Emma discover what happened over fifteen years ago to her missing bunk mates?
As Emma tries to uncover the truth from the past, she unravels more mysteries from the present. Will Emma learn the truth before it’s too late?
Riley Sager hits a homerun with “The Last Time I Lied.”
It hits all of the marks of a great thriller and it’s one that is worth staying up late for. Must read!!
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley. This did not effect my review of this book. #netgalley #TheLastTimeILied

6 Strikingly Stupendous Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Yes six, seis, sexe,sechs,sei.... and I’m sure whatever language you choose to read this book in the result will be the same... it was just that fabulous!

Two truths and a lie...

1 I never gush over books!
2 this was the best book I’ve read so far this year!!!
3 Riley Sager is being added to my list of authors who I will autobuy/request.

I’m sure you figured it out... I am the queen of gushing! And this is a book that makes me want to shout from the rooftops! From first page to last this book had me captivated... this is going to sound odd but I felt as though I was in a forest of browns and greens every time I pick this book up.... it was so atmospheric and descriptive that I felt as though I was there at camp with these girls... The forest, the lake, the tension was all drawn so well by Sager... I could smell the trees, feel the water, and I was on the edge of my seat throughout this entire book!

Emma is a “final girl“ how appropriate is that? when she was at camp 15 years ago she was the only girl from her cabin to not disappear ... my only complaint of Sager’s previous book was I would have liked the psychology of these “final girls” to have been explored more in depth , so... what a treat this book was! Emma now a well respected artist paints these girls in all her paintings... she sees Vivian everywhere... and she cannot let go of the fact that she had something to do with their disappearance... that is all I am saying about the plot, I do not want to ruin this gem of a book for you...

I am just so jealous of all of you who have not read this yet, what a treat you have in front of you! A campy book that will grab onto you and will not let go... a book filled with twists, Twists, and more twists, and just when you think you’ve got it all figured out..... an ending you will not see coming!


Emphatically recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of the psychological thriller genre! If you liked “Final Girls you will love “The Last Time I Lied” and that is no lie!

*** many thanks to Penguin Dutton for my copy of this book ***

I was uneasy the entire time I read this book. Part of that was my own excited expectations/anticipation of the book but the other part was Sager’s writing. He knows how to create an elusive mood that leaves you full of dread, yet wanting more. You’re reading, turning page after page, just waiting for “that something” to happen. You know it’s coming. You’re creeped out and suspicious of everyone. You can’t put the book down because you simply have to know where its all going. That’s my reading experience with this book in a nutshell and I loved every minute of it.

Sager masterfully spun a tale that is told in two different times - the present & past (told via flashback from 15 years ago). It all began at Camp Nightingale 15 years prior when three girls disappear from Dogwood cabin. Emma, the youngest of the four girls rooming in the cabin was the only one left. She is deeply affected by the disappearance of her friends and is haunted by the girls throughout her life. Emma is unable to come to terms with the terrible tragedy because they never fully learned what happened to the girls that fateful summer night.

Flash forward 15 years and Camp Nightingale is once again opening its doors to campers. Emma has been invited to teach art at the camp for the summer and of course she accepts. It’s her chance to finally solve the mystery and hopefully put the events of that summer behind her.

Emma is a wonderfully sympathetic yet unreliable narrator. Can her memories be trusted when she herself admits to having had a nervous breakdown in the months after her first camp experience? There were so many secrets that it was nearly impossible to figure out what was true and what wasn’t. There were so many well crafted layers to this mystery! I literally suspected everyone, trusted no one & still had it all wrong in the end. I LOVE when I don’t see "it" coming. It was all there, the crumbs had been woven into the story but with Emma being such an unreliable narrator you simply don’t know what to think or who to believe.

The book had me riveted from beginning to end. I too was on a search for the truth with Emma amidst all the secrets, lies & guilt. I definitely recommend this read to fellow mystery fans and hope it will keep you second guessing just as it did me!

This was a pretty good thriller. It was written in the same format/style as Final Girls but I think I enjoyed this story a tad more. The story had a Pretty Little Liars vibe to me which I enjoyed. I was curious about what happened from the beginning but I kind of lost interest in the middle. But the end was really great...especially the last 5 pages or so! If you enjoyed Final Girls you'll enjoy this. The tie to the history of mental illness in women was my favorite part of the story.

4.5ish stars! Truth be told, I was solidly four stars on this until the epilogue, which bumped this book up to 4.5. This is a really great psychological thriller, and while the unreliable narrator trope should be entirely played out by now, Riley Sager has done a really excellent job with this book. Taking place at a summer camp, both fifteen years ago and today, when Emma has returned to the camp to teach art after being a main part of the tragedies that happened there on the last summer it was open, it's a perfect book to tear through on a warm summer evening. I absolutely loved Final Girls last summer, and Riley Sager proves with The Last Time I Lied that he is capable of more than one hit.

Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this for an honest review!

Emma Davis was taken to a "rich" camp when she was thirteen called Camp Nightingale. Since she was late getting there she had to bunk with three other girls that were older than her, Vivian, Allison and Natalie. They were all playing two truths and a lie one night, and the next morning Vivian, Allison and Natalie were gone.
Fifteen years later Emma starts to bring in a little success from her paintings. They always seemed to involve something a little weird from her past that she can't quite shake. Franny Harris-White, the owner of Camp Nightingale, finds Emma and decides that she wants to reopen the camp. She decided fifteen years is long enough, and she wants some of the original campers to be instructors now. Emma agrees, only because she needs to figure out what happened fifteen years ago. There are clues, cameras, and mistrust involved when she finally arrives at Camp Nightingale for the second time. Her search for the truth becomes very deadly.

I will say, the writing style of this book is really good. I enjoy that it switches between the present and the past. It definitely helps you decide what actually happened the night the girls disappeared. The writing is very concise and clear as much as it is mysterious. Sager makes you believe that some of the clues that Emma finds will solve everything. When it leads to a dead end you have to start back at square one with her. This book probably won't blow your mind, because I'm sure even the slightest idea that you have will end up being part of the answer in the end. That doesn't mean the book isn't good. For a mystery I found it to be average.

I don't REALLY see this as a character developed book. Obviously the setting, Camp Nightingale, plays a huge role in what happened to the girls and where they end up being. It's a bigger place than you think and there are so many options. You don't really get to know a lot of characters, which may have been the point. It makes it harder to solve the mystery. You get the most development from Emma and probably Vivian. Those two are the main focal points of the story. I did like getting a little bit of a background and appearance description when Sager introduced a character. I could keep a mental picture of each person without having to think too hard. Not that that's a bad thing.

I will add that Emma has a little bit of a mental health problem, considering she was thirteen when the three girls disappeared. It does shine through most of the story, especially when discussing the paintings that she makes. I actually found that quite interesting. I used to dabble in art when I was in school and I love when characters in books do the same. They are always little quirks that make them stand out compared to other characters in that same novel or a different one.

Overall, this book did drag a little bit. Not a lot happens within the 380 something pages. It was fun to read though especially because it took place at a camp. If it didn't drag I probably would have given it 4 stars, but that's okay. I still enjoyed my time reading it.

The Last Time I Lied is the latest book by Riley Sager, famously known for the prior thriller, Final Girls. Sager’s newest book follows Emma Davis, a now-successful artist in the NYC scene who was involved in a terrible tragedy fifteen years ago at a summer camp. At one of her art shows, Emma runs into someone from her past who lures her back to the same camp to be a counselor and teach art. She agrees because she sees this as an opportunity to find out what exactly happened fifteen years ago to three of her friends (or “friends,” – you can be the judge of that). Upon her return, she realizes things have not totally improved and the camp has just as many mysteries now as it did when she was a teenager.

I am not even going to make anyone wait to know my final rating of this one: FIVE STARS! This book immediately hooked me when I realized it was a summer camp thriller/suspense/horror novel. They will always been a favorite of mine. I read this book in two and a half days; it would have been one and a half probably but I went to a mini-pool party with friends and then a birthday celebration for my sister-in-law that night. While I had tons of fun, you better believe I was dying to go back to Sager’s world and Camp Nightingale.

The story blends Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew with elements of Mean Girls/Pretty Little Liars and, at times, even some vibes of the Sleepaway Camp movies! In a lot of thrillers these days we can predict the outcome. And while I was certain TWO different times that I had the answer picked out, I was completely wrong and thus shocked and surprised whole-heartedly! This book was a roller coaster of pure suspense and eerie drama.

While some authors abuse the different timelines when telling a story, Sager definitely gets it right with The Last Time I Lied. He knew when to keep you in the present and when to take you back fifteen years prior to events that happened to Emma when she was a teenager. It never felt forced and no matter which time you were in, you didn’t want to leave it but then you also loved going to the other time period. Sager writes these differing times so well that they weave together as needed and you aren’t overwhelmed with uncertainty and confusion like a lot of other books that split narrators or times.

If you enjoyed Final Girls, I know you will love this story. If you didn’t enjoy Final Girls, I think you will still love this story! Where some people were turned off of Final Girls at certain times, I do not think anyone won’t have fun and enjoy this story the whole way through. There are just so many elements in this story that I loved and I love how Sager blended them all: camps (and camp games, mess halls, cabins/bunks, etc), art, past vs. present, psychological disorders, urban legends/campfire tales, insane asylums, lots of water, etc. I just can’t go on enough about all the things I enjoyed about this one!

A huge thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for providing this advanced e-book to allow me to fall in love with this book. I have read ~80+ books this year so far and this has firmly solidified itself into the top five favorites thus far! If you didn’t see it earlier and can’t tell based on this review: FIVE STARS! This book is released July 3rd ,2018!

THE LAST TIME I LIED is another obsessively good thriller from Riley Sager. Set at a creepy camp for girls in upstate New York, THE LAST TIME I LIED tells the story of Emma Davis, an artist who has been asked to return to Camp Nightingale to teach art to a new generation of campers. The problem? When Emma was thirteen and a camper at Nightingale, her three roomates disappeared without a trace. The novel brillantly retraces Emma's steps from that horrifying night and slowly reveals the source of her guilt and obsession with her three missing friends. Now, fifteen years later, Emma is still trying to put the pieces of that night together and discover what happened to her friends, but her quest is leading her and her three young charges into danger.

I loved the tension and creepy atmospher Sager so deftly creates in the novel. I could not stop reading it. And I loved every minute. I didn't think that Emma's memories were always reliable and I loved the sense of not being able to fully trust her as the novel progresses. Why does she feel so guilty? Was she involved in the disappearance of her friends? The fast pacing of the novel had me reading into the wee hours, with the just one more chapter mantra quickly being abandoned. There were several avenues of suspicion to follow through the novel, but I was having so much fun reading the book, I didn't work too hard at solving the mystery. I just went along for the ride, enjoying the disorienting and suffocating feeling of being in dense woods, at night, with the moonlight glinting off the dark and mysterious lake, a feeling of foreboding growing stronger as I got deeper into the book as the dark history of Camp Nightingale and Lake Midnight are revealed. The ending was a stunner that literally had me holding my breath with anticipation and surprise.

This is a stunning sophomore entry from Riley Sager full of thrills and chills and a five star read. A page turning delight, its the perfect book to read on long summer days and nights on the shores of your favorite lake. You never know what's lurking there in the dark.

I really enjoyed Riley Sager's first book and was very excited to see the description of this one.  I devoured this book in about two days.  This kept me on my toes and I wanted to know what was going on.  I kept trying to guess as to who did it and every time I did, I was wrong.  I love that he is able to keep me guessing until the very last page.  

This is the perfect summer read as it takes place in a summer camp.  The tried and true camp favorite game of Two Truths and a Lie is so well woven into the fabric of this story.  This was an excellent thriller.

I actually enjoyed this book so much! Wow! The twists and turns, every time I thought I knew who did it, I didn’t. Thanks to Netgalley I was able to read this book before it’s release. Wow, I loved this book.

Lately, some of the thrillers I’ve tried to read I’ve had to put down. Because, either it’s so boring or the plot is so obvious.

Riley Sager did such a good job of placing that doubt in your mind as to who did it. Everything would make sense to point to someone and then, it wasn’t them.
It truly kept me guessing and wanting to figure out who did it.

Great book!

This is without a shadow of a doubt, the BEST summer read! I spent the entire novel not knowing who to trust - even Emma herself. Sager is a true master of unpredictability - the ending will leave you absolutely speechless. I don't want to say too much because the best way to go into this book is with minimal information. Your brain will be left tied in knots as you try to figure out the puzzle with only half the pieces. If you're looking for a book you seriously can't put down - pick up "The Last Time I Lied"

This book is going to knock your socks off!

15 years ago 3 teenage girls go missing from an upscale summer camp. They disappeared into the night without a trace. Vivian, Allison and Natalie were all best friends that had been staying in the same cabin and went missing the next morning. Camp Nightingale, aka Camp Rich Bitch (love the nickname by the way) was forced to close their doors as their reputation was tainted for obvious reasons.

Fast forward 15 years and meet Emma. An artist whose painting career is taking off and should be elated with her new found success, but is instead tormented with guilt and regret. There were actually 4 girls in that cabin, Emma was the fourth girl. Emma had not known this group of girls before camp. Upon being put in their cabin with them, Vivian quickly took Emma under her wing and showed her the ropes. They became thick as thieves until the night of the girls disappearance. What happened that night? Does Emma know more than she is letting on? Why was Emma spared?

Emma is approached to come back to Camp Nightingale as a painting instructor. The owner, Franny wants to rebuild their reputation after 15 long years of being empty. Emma warily accepts the invitation in hopes to gain some closure and maybe do some snooping of her own.

There is alot of hype surrounding this book...and it is so deserving of it! I have read alot of really good books this year and this is one of the best so far. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through this book. The ending was phenomenal. I finished it last night and spent the day thinking about it.

This is my first book by Riley Sager, I guess I have been living under a rock. How I have not read Final Girls is a mystery to me but it is on my list to purchase next. I loved his writing style. It was so easy to read and I felt like I was there at camp. I got chills down my spine each time he had them go to the latrine at night because I remember being at camp and creeping around in the dark scared out of my wits. He takes you back to that moment.

I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this book before the July publish date. Thank you to Riley Sager, Penguin books and NetGalley.

Last year, I was completely enamored by Riley Sager's Final Girls, so when I heard that his next book, The Last Time I Lied was coming out this summer; I did everything in my power to make sure I could read it as soon as possible. This review will be short and sweet, comparatively to my usually long and drawn out complaints or compliments about a book. The Last Time I Lied focuses on successful New York artist Emma Davis and her growth financially and professionally. Emma's muse is strictly focused to a dilemma that she had growing up, specifically her time at Camp Nightingale. One night during her stay at summer camp Camp Nightingale, her three bunk mates in-explicitly vanished. No trace of them was ever found, and no motive or alibi was created to keep the investigation going. The three teenagers disappeared from society and the case became cold.

Emma is now an adult, showcasing her art in galleries, while focusing on the disappearance of these young women. During one night at the gallery opening, the owner of Camp Nightingale, Franny Harris-White arrives and invites Emma to be part of the camp's grand re-opening. Emma is hesitant at first, but if this can help her close this chapter behind her, she is all for it.

When Emma arrives to Camp Nightingale, she starts uncovering the truth behind the disappearance of her former bunk mates. Why were these secrets hidden, and who's the one trying to bury the past behind them?

The Last Time I Lied follows a very similar format that was so successful with Final Girls, but this time, it just didn't work for me. While the story was robust and original, the format felt too reminiscent of it's predecessor. The first half of the story felt a little dry and slow for my liking, but once we got to around 60% of the story, the pages were flying by! I know I'm in the minority with this one, but I felt that the ending was just not enough for me to qualify this read higher than a middle of the road 3 stars. I do think that you should pick this story up if you were a fan of Sager's previous work and are looking for a solid originally told story.

Thank you Dutton Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for a solid review. The Last Time I Lied will be released on July 10, 2018—make sure you aren't the last one to pick this up!

4.5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

HOLY COW! This was my first Riley Sager book and I must say.....hats off to you, sir!

Something happened involving Emma and her three friends, Vivian, Natalie and Allison 15 years ago at Camp Nightingale, a summer camp for rich NYC girls. Something so terrible that she has suffered mentally and emotionally ever since.

This book had me hooked from the get go. Serious 80’s movie vibes here folks. Everything about this story had a big time creep factor: the setting, the plot and especially the characters. They are all sneaky, shady weirdos who seem to pop up out of nowhere. Seriously, you never know who is lying or telling the truth throughout the book. So much so, a favorite game amongst the girls called Two Truths and a Lie makes its appearance several times. Endless secrets, lies and twisty turns. Sager literally had me guessing and second guessing everything that I thought was happening until the final pages.

Okay, THAT ENDING!! Let’s just say that it is genius. One of the better closings in a book I’ve read in years. Super awesome!

I’ve never read Final Girls, but you can bet your sweet patooty that I’ll be reading that one as soon as I can!

Traveling Sisters read - loved reading and discussing this exciting book with all of you! 💛

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Dutton/Penguin Books and Riley Sager for an advanced copy.

I've been having a bought of insomnia lately, so I started reading The Last Time I Lied this morning at about 4:30. Between reading, chores, and cooking, I managed to finish the book in about 12 hours. Let me just say that I was blown away by The Last Time I Lied. Below are some of the reasons I loved this book:

*Creepy summer camp vibe. For anyone who has spent weeks of their childhood at summer camp (or was just envious of those who attended), this will immediately pull you in. You can picture the setting. If you spent your childhood there, you'll be quick to admit to an ominous vibe - you spent your nights in the woods with limited supervision. I spent several summers in a similar (though Illinois) setting, and loved how easy it was to imaging Camp Nightingale and Lake Midnight. I also spent a ton of my childhood in the Lake of the Ozarks, which seems to be a HUGE version of Lake Midnight (though hopefully less sinister?). This is the PERFECT setting for a summer thriller. I loved it!

*Emma - both past and present. In my opinion, Emma is the perfect unreliable narrator. One that you KNOW is unreliable pretty early on, but that you can't help but cheer for! You want her to be innocent. You want her to figure out what is going on...but you just can't bring yourself to trust her. That makes her such a great protagonist.

*The twists! If you read Final Girls, you'll know that Riley Sager can throw a mean twist at you. Personally, I love the twist that I didn't see coming. And thankfully, this one packed several amazing twists. Mr. Sager, you surprised me several times and I loved every second of it!

The Last Time I Lied is highly readable and quickly addictive. You will trust no one, and trust me when I tell you that is part of the fun. The flashbacks combined with the present sleuthing make for an epic combination that leaves the reader guessing and pushing on chapter after chapter!

There isn't much more for me to say without giving away too much of the story, which wouldn't be fun or fair to its readers. I didn't plan to love this one - I thought it would be too hyped and that it would fall short of my expectations. Thankfully, I read it early and am so happy that it totally lived up to what I wanted and then more. If you loved Final Girls, please know that this is even BETTER! I loved The Last Time I Lied and think it is the perfect summer read! Bring this on vacation, to the beach, or just chill on the couch all day and binge-read it like I did! You won't regret it!

(Side note - the covers! I love how the cover of The Last Time I Lied pairs so well with the cover to Final Girls. Bravo to the publishers & author & whoever else played a part in the cover designs!)