Tl;dr: A whirlwind of a domestic thriller that's a fast and throughly enjoyable read.

Wow, did I tear through The Lies We Told! Ms. Way has a knack for writing short, rapid fire chapters that leave you saying, "Well, just one more," until you've raced all the way to the end.

I know it might sound odd to call a thriller where just about everyone has a skeleton or twenty rattling around fun (with bonus "but always evil!" bits, which I always enjoy), but that's what The Lies We Told is.

Yes, it's easy to see the twists coming (I throughly enjoyed that last one, mwhaa!) but Ms. Way times the reveals and their ripple effects so well that you are all "Ah, there we go!!" at the same time you're going "Oooh, fallout coming soon!"

I also loved that almost every character was flawed--most deeply, some spectacularly. And the narration choices Ms Way made were awesome.

If you like domestic thrillers with solid writing and a fast pace that never lets up, you definitely should check out The Lies We Told. I did receive an ARC of this, but will set aside a proper copy of this to buy at the store and am so librarying Watching Edie, Ms. Way's previous novel, and very much look forward to what she writes next!

Twisted and well done!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know I have to be like many other readers out there when it comes to mystery‘s or suspense thrillers. We absolutely love it when you can’t figure out everything until the very end.

Authors that can keep the wheels spinning and wind us up in different ways throughout the story are few and far between. However, Way did a fabulous job with this trippy story.

The funny thing about lies is that eventually they come out. And when they do, such as in this story, bad things can happen.

Told in multiple points of view, the story took us along a path of deep dark secrets that slowly unfolded into disturbing mental issues, crimes, and twisted reality.

The amount of elements that the author added will surprise you along the way and made it a story that was difficult to put down and one that keeps you guessing all the way through.

This thriller is disturbing in many ways but for those that love the dark twisted minds who can come up with these creepy stories, besides me, this is one you definitely have to read. Well Done!

Satisfyingly twisted. That’s about the best way to describe this.

It’s told from two women’s perspectives. One in the past and one in the present day. And you know they’re connected somehow, it’s just not clear in what way.

I actually thought I’d had it figured out relatively early on. But as the pieces were revealed the further in I read...the more confused I became. Which is a good thing! I loved that it kept me guessing.

As much as I enjoyed Clara’s present day narrative, I found Beth’s more consuming. It was clear that whatever was going on with her daughter back then had somehow surfaced in the current day’s issues. And it was honestly just more interesting. Hannah’s story, who she was, what she’d done, etc were gripping and terrifying. The search for Luke was mostly stagnant and eventually less about the criminal side than Clara trying to dredge up his past to search for a potential culprit.

I have to admit that I loved the destruction of the perfection and idealism we are presented, too. Because how often must we be reminded that not everything and everyone is to be taken at face value? Oftentimes those who seem perfect are hiding the biggest secrets.

And when it finally all unraveled, and it all made sense, it was freeing. All the pieces came together and it was fantastic. A puzzle that was complete.

So good. One of the better thriller/mysteries I’ve read!

I know that I have said it before but IMO there is honestly nothing better than sitting down and reading a great, thrilling novel. One that isn't over done and drawn out or falsely advertised. So with me saying that, I really enjoyed this book. From the second I seen the cover and title, to the moment I read the first paragraph, to the very last second when I closed to the book. 

I think my most favorite thing about the entire book was the alternating of the POVs. The past and the present and the way they intricately fell into each other was so fascinating to me. I think what helped with that was the fact that the book moved at such a quick pace and didn't contain very many lulls at all. Once you got to the end of one POV, you just knew something was going to come to light in the next. I knew the two stories would intertwine in some way, but I didn’t see how it would all come together the way that it did so being genuinely surprised by that was such a relief. 

Another thing I really enjoyed was how wishy-washy these characters were. I don't think the author meant for them to be portrayed that way, but I feel like she did an excellent job at making these characters so life-like, all while holding their secrets safe to themselves. I think that is all I can really say about that without spoiling any major plot points.

The Lies We Told was filled with multiple twists and multiple secrets. It had me searching for all of the answers right along side Clara. It was by far a solid read with even a surprising end! I found myself to be so lucky that this wasn't like any of the other thrillers out there that fall flat with a lack luster endings and falsely being advertised as "the most thrilling book you will read this year!"

This is a dark suspense novel with two storylines that merge, and the reader is tasked with following both stories and finding out how they merge. One story is a young mother with an uncontrollable, anti-social daughter who is becoming more and more dangerous in her behavior. The second storyline seems to be more at the forefront; it is the tale of Clara and her missing husband Luke. Both stories are full of secrets as well as lies, making it difficult to know what is really happening and when. The movement back and forth from the different stories as well as the different timelines for each story just did not work for me. I would have preferred a part I, Clara’s story and a part II, Beth’s story. The way the book was written did not hold my interest but rather kept me frustrated trying to figure out what was going on with whom. I don’t care much for books that require me to take notes to keep up with what is happening and that is what I felt that I had to do with this book. That being said, all of the threads are brought together at the end, in a finale that seems rushed and frantic. Readers of dark psychological thrillers will enjoy this book, but it just wasn’t really for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley.

This was interesting thriller. It's told in two parts - the present, where Clara is distraught and determined to locate her boyfriend after he goes missing and the past, where Beth is realizing that something is strange and wrong with her daughter, Hannah. Eventually, the two stories come together. Luke is perfect. He has the perfect family. Suddenly, he is cone without a trace. Beth struggled with conceiving and finally has Hannah. Soon, she discovers that there is something dangerous about her young daughter.

Sometimes thrillers try to do too much. I wonder if authors think that if they write more twists and turns into a story, then it will be a better story. I thought this book was pretty good. You get a sense that something is up and appearances are not what they seem. Then suddenly, everything comes crashing down. I did not think the last twist in the story was necessary. Still, this was pretty good. 3 1/2.

Camilla gives us the same format in this book as she did in <I>Watching Edie</I>. Past to present stories that ultimately end up coming together for that final reveal. There's not a whole lot new here in terms of a new thriller - we get lies, dysfunctional families, secrets that come to the surface and the suspending of belief that I do not mind doing for most of the books that I read. However, throw in that creepy kid and it doesn't matter how many times I read this kind of storyline, I am intrigued - and I certainly was fascinated with Hannah. Both storylines had me hooked, actually.

Here's the thing - when it did seem to jump the shark just a little bit - I mean, people can only get away with so much... right?? - I didn't mind. I also love that a little inkling I had did come to pass... but yet not in QUITE the way I thought it would so I was surprised but not but either way oh so happy about it. Hahaha.

The ending did throw me off for a bit - I kept trying to turn a page that wasn't there. Sometimes I like these types of endings - other times I don't - I'm torn in how fully I feel about this one. That's all I'm going to say so as not to spoil anything but it's also a nod to the author that I just wanted to know where it would continue to go - GIVE ME MORE STORY! **shakes fist** I'd totally read a book that's all from Hannah's POV.... ahem ;)


This is a fast and addicting read that certainly makes you want to be careful what you wish for - and never underestimate someone's desire to want to fuck your world up.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley and Camilla Way for the opportunity to read and review this thriller - 5 stars for a great read that I couldn't put down!

This book is told mostly from two different voices in two different timelines. In the past, Beth is a mother struggling to love and connect with her daughter, Hannah. Hannah expresses no emotion and seems happy when she inflicts hurt or pain on others. In the present, Clara is happily living with her boyfriend, Luke, when he doesn't come home one night and no one can find him. Her search leads her to discover more about Luke and his family than she was aware.

Both story lines are compelling and the collision of them will cause you to put life on hold while you navigate all the various twists and turns. Highly recommended for a great read!

The Lies We Told, by Camilla Way

This is a well told, well written mystery with surprises throughout. The writing is easy to follow, and draws the reader in nicely, allowing the tale to flow extremely well.

The story alternates between two different families; one seemingly troubled and the other mostly well put together, at least on the surface.Because of this, there are two stories going on at the same time.It all comes together, though we have to wait to get it. Camilla Way did an excellent job weaving the facts, keeping the reader anxious to get more information.

There are no picky details, yet the character descriptions give each his or her own specific identity and they all mesh well. There are no creepy or graphic scenes which would keep anyone from reading this book, so this reviewer would recommend it to a wide variety of book clubs and readers.

Alternating between the perspectives of Beth, a wife and mother in the mid-80s, and Clara, the girlfriend of a man who has disappeared in 2017, we find a twisted and shocking story of desperation, loss and fear. Beth's daughter, Hannah, is deeply loved......and deeply disturbed. As her behaviors become increasingly baffling and then deadly, Beth tries to protect her younger child, a son, from his ruthless sister, in vain as Hannah's increasingly hostile actions result in the death of both her husband and son in a fire set by Hannah and her subsequent disappearance. Disappearing at the same time is Emily, the sister of the man that Clara is living with and loves. When he too disappears she discovers that he has been cheating on her and lying to her. Despite this, she cannot rest until she finds him (Luke) and here Beth and Clara's worlds begin crashing together, releasing long-held secrets and part of the reason that people's lives continue to be at risk.
A fast-paced, riveting read, you'll find yourself just as eager as Clara to unravel the truth behind Luke's disappearance, and just as shocked at the answer.

I enjoyed this. I was a bit skeptical at first because I don't typically like books set in London (not sure, just don't) but this drew me in. I enjoyed the multi perspective storytelling, as that's something I always enjoy. I liked the way the past eventually caught up with the present and the large and intertwined web is created.

I thought this was well written and all was explained in the end. I feel room was left for a possible follow-up book. Whether that happens remains to be seen but I hope this is the end of the story as I thought it was perfect as is.

There are lies, lies and even more lies in this twisty little tale. When Clara’s boyfriend Luke doesn’t return home or even show up the next day for work, she knows something is wrong. He had been harassed by someone but even she did not know to what extent until he is missing. When she opens up his laptop and finds a ton of messages from a seemingly crazy woman, she goes with his best friend to the police. The search begins and there is so much that is uncovered.

Each chapter goes between the search for Luke and a woman writing about her young daughter who seems to be quite the Bad Seed. Little Hannah does a lot of very nasty things with no affect whatsoever. When she overhears her mother talking to another woman about a secret they share, it sets off a chain of events with disastrous results. Is this all tied to Luke’s disappearance? Well of course you think it has to because why are we reading about her.

Then the lies. There are so many lies. Everyone has some to tell. The last little lie at the end threw me for a loop, that’s for sure.

It will definitely keep you reading to see just what craziness is going to happen. Clara is a wonderfully sympathetic character and you want so much for her. Hannah is such a psychotic character, perfectly written. It has more than enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. It is a very good read for a cold October night.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of this book.

This is a dark tale of lies and deceit. When Clara's boyfriend doesn't come home, she starts digging into the reason someone would want to kidnap him. The more she finds out, the more she realizes that she did not know him at all. So many secrets are being uncovered and it seems no one with go unscathed. Clara is trying to hang on while looking for Luke and the only person she can rely on is Luke's friend. But is he just like the others? Can she really trust him?

4.5 stars!

I am such a sucker for dual timeline books and seeing how they come together. In this case, I absolutely did not figure out the exact connection until it was revealed, which always adds to the fun for me. The timelines are set twenty years apart and there are loose threads in each and it’s really fun to watch those threads unravel and the story to unfold. What starts out as a missing boyfriend, delves into family drama and beyond! Definitely pick this one up!

#The Lies We Told # NetGalley #

The Lies We Told was a good read by an author unknown to me. I enjoyed her style of writing and found it very easy to read. Most of the story went along pretty smoothly, but there were a couple of twists that I did not see coming. The story was narrated by two main characters who moved between two different years and I enjoyed that aspect of the writing. It kept you guessing as to who was the good guy and who was the bad and how they all fit together. The author pulls the story together nicely at the end, but there were some things that I did not see coming, especially a twist at the very end that threw me for a loop! I read the book in one sitting as the story just pulls you along and you want to know what is going to happen next. I definitely recommend this book if you like psychological thriller genre, which I do. For me it was a solid 5 stars. This was the author’s second novel and I find myself wanting to go back and read her first book. I think you will enjoy The Lies We Told.

I was given an advance copy of this book from NetGallery for a fair and honest review.

After Clara's boyfriend, Luke, goes missing, she and friend, Mac, delve into Luke's past and, of course, uncover many secrets. Who has been stalking Luke, and why? Could the stalker be responsible for Luke's disappearance? Is it an eerie coincidence that Luke's older sister, Emily, also disappeared 20 years ago, or could the two somehow be related? What role do Luke's parents, Rose and Oliver, play in the story?

Meanwhile, decades before, Doug and Beth were busy raising Hannah, their troubled, sociopath daughter, and her younger brother, Toby. How do the two stories intermingle? Hannah's story was reminiscent of Baby Teeth (3 stars) which I didn't care for. I did enjoy this portion of the story much more than BT because: 1. the mother was much more relatable, and 2. the story had a much stronger ending.

Lies had so much potential and started out very strongly. Somewhere in the middle, however, I lost interest as the story dragged on and on, allowing the suspense to fizzle. There were some fantastic and surprising twists near the end that I didn't see coming, but even those weren't enough to boost my rating another star. If it had been written in a more fast-paced style, it could have been amazing. I would, however, recommend it for fans of twisted, psychotic characters. Furthermore, the underlying theme of "what happens when your past lies and mistakes finally catch up with you?" was intriguing.

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Location: London, England

Oh my, what a wild ride. I read this compelling psychological drama over a couple of hours because I simply could not put it down -- I HAD to know how this sordid tale turned out. I was so tense while reading as the author stoked my unease with subtle hints about where it was all going but I didn't quite have it all figured out correctly though a couple of my guesses proved spot on. I'm glad that I took the advice of the other reviewers who warned not to read anything about the book beyond the synopsis before diving right in. NO SPOILERS so I won't even give the main themes away.

This is definitely a tale of secrets, lies, betrayal and horrible mistakes. I'm not sure that I really liked any of the characters but perhaps felt that Clara was at least somewhat decent as a person. She was so dedicated in trying to find her missing boyfriend even when she discovers some disturbing information.

The story is told via two points of view with one narrator the voice of Beth starting from 1986 and the other voice is that of Clara in present day. Even though it seems that these are separate stories, you can be sure that it's all going to come together and in a very explosive manner. The whole of it left me glad that I don't know those people! I guess there are some things that are really unforgivable. And choices you can't put right.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing (an imprint of Penguin Random House) for this e-book ARC to read and review. I definitely enjoyed the couple of hours spent with this novel. I've also read the author's previous book, WATCHING EDIE, and can't way to see what Camilla Way does next!

Please disregard previous review as it was posted for the wrong book. Haven’t read this one yet. Don’t know how to delete my feedback. Sorry.

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to review The Lies We told.

In today’s world of publishing it’s becoming more and more difficult for contemporary thrillers to really stand out. While I did enjoy this book, I’m afraid I won’t remember much about it in days to come. Clara’s boyfriend Luke goes missing, drawing Clara into Luke’s privileged background as she tries to piece together what could have happened. Alternatively, a second narrator is retelling the tale of her disturbing, psychotic, sinister child. While this book tried to stay twisty, the turns were not very sharp and the surprises were few. As a thriller goes, this book was not overly thrilling. It’s a safe pick for a cozy, lazy Saturday but it wasn’t satisfying enough to spend the entire weekend indoors.

Clara has finally moved in with her dream guy; tall, handsome, charismatic Luke Lawson. Things are really coming together for her and her happiness is limitless. Until the night Luke doesn’t come home. At first, she thinks he went out with the guys and crashed at one of their places in a drunken stupor. It becomes clear quite quickly that this isn’t the case when he misses a huge job interview. When an entire day has passed Clara becomes convinced that something is very wrong. After reporting Luke missing at the police department, she starts her own investigation at home, looking through Luke’s files and computer and that’s when she finds the emails. Many, many emails from a woman who has been stalking Luke and, towards the end, threatening his life. Clara is certain that these emails are connected to his disappearance but the police department don’t seem to be making any headway. So, Clara enlists the help of Mac, the couple's best friend, to help her uncover and investigate the things the police won’t. What they learn paints a much different picture of Luke and his past and Clara wonders if she ever really knew him at all.

This book started out really strong. I was engaged and compelled to keep reading. There are two stories being told here. One in the present where Luke has disappeared, and one in the past, narrated by a woman named Beth who seems, for a long while, to be completely unconnected to Luke in any way. Normally with a story like this you can use your imagination and kind of figure out where the connection will be between the two stories. That was not the case in this book. When it was revealed how the two storylines were relevant to one another I was pleasantly shocked. I never would have guessed it, and in the end, that is what makes a great thriller/mystery. And yet, in spite of this, I still found myself really bored about half way through the book. The plot was drawn out much longer than necessary and the main character, Clara, was so unforgiving of Luke and his transgressions that I became annoyed with her. They seemed so tedious to me in the face of the drama ensuing at this point where many people’s lives are in danger. Who cares if you are pretty enough, and who cares if your boyfriend flirted with this one or smiled at that one. Seriously, the man has been kidnapped, assaulted, and is possibly facing death and all you can think about are these silly details. Without giving any spoilers away I will just say that at one point a person is suffering from PTSD type symptoms and Clara has the ability to help this person, and instead of doing so she walks away because she’s offended by this person’s actions in the past, even though it is very clear that this person cares for her a great deal. I’m sorry, but in an instance like this I feel like the character should have set aside her personal hurts to help this person in need. In the future, once this person is stabilized and safe, you can bring up all of your issues and a cut ties if need be. In the face of the severity of the issues at hand, her problems seem quite small. Normally I’d be all for the “I am woman, hear me roar” type deal, but here I just found it irritating.

That being said, this was not a terrible book, the plot was strong, the characters were twisted and sometimes unpredictable. The writing was well done and the author successfully kept me in suspense. Other than the couple of details I stated above, it’s hard to really put my finger on the reason I stopped caring about the outcome or the characters, it just happened. I still think this book is worth a shot for the lover of suspense/thriller novels.