Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

When my friend, Rhiannon, sent me a DM raving about this book- I requested it immediately. Because when Rhiannon raves about a thriller, I usually know I am in for a treat (she is super picky about her thrillers!)

What I Liked:

This cover!!!!

How the story is laid out. You get to really know everyone….. or do you? Because unreliable narrators are also a big part of this story.

The ending. Thriller-tastic!



Bottom line: It took me a bit to get in the story (but I had a lot going on and you really need to sit down with this book and carve out some time.) A chapter here and there is going to leave you unsatisfied. I look forward to seeing what Tanen Jones is working on next.

Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I had high hopes for The Better Liar. It sounded intriguing and suspenseful and multiple twists are promised in the synopsis. Unfortunately, none of those things ended up being true for me. Instead of the psychological suspense I was expecting, this book read much more like a Women’s Fiction story, focusing on two sisters with a dysfunctional childhood who turned into two dysfunctional adults. It’s also supposed to shine a light on postpartum depression, but I don’t think that was done all that effectively, even with the condescending Author’s Note about it at the end of the book.

The story is told from three points of view: Leslie, Robin, and Mary. I liked the multiple perspectives, even if they all sounded basically the same. The premise definitely had promise, but I found myself pretty bored for most of the book. I disliked all of the characters and found a lot of their actions a little unrealistic. I kept waiting for the multiple twists and when they finally happened I thought they were kind lackluster. I expected a really explosive, twisted ending and was left pretty disappointed.

Overall, The Better Liar was just not for me. While it had promise, it failed to live up to it. I think if this had been packaged as Women’s Fiction rather than Mystery/Thriller, I could have adjusted my expectations and enjoyed it more. However, I have seen many more favorable reviews on this than mine, so it may still be worth picking up for some.

This book is super interesting - it’s full of fantasy, intrigue, supernatural, and romance. I received it in a book subscription box, but if I had seen it at a store instead, I would have purchased it immediately. The cover is absolutely stunning, full of vibrant colors. The story itself is so very unique - society is broken up into color groups. That’s all that can be said without giving spoilers. The characters are all very unique personalities. I wasn’t aware that this was going to be part of a series until I read the very cliffhanger ending and looked it up - thankfully, there is another book, and I can’t wait to read it!

This was a pretty wild ride. I couldn't put it down. Great debut, and I can't wait for more! This was so suspenseful, and I'm excited that I got a chance to read an early copy!

This dark twisty suspenseful thriller grabbed me immediately . I couldn't put it down! This book is perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica or Paula Hawkins.

In order to claim her inheritance, Leslie must track down her runaway sister Robin who she hasn't seen since they were teens and they must both appear before the attorney administering the will. Leslie is stunned when she finally tracks her down only to discover Robin dead in her apartment. Reeling from the experience, Leslie escapes as quickly as she can and drives a short distance to a restaurant. As she leaves the restaurant, she runs into a woman named Mary. The two women strike up a conversation and the story takes off from there. Leslie realizes that Mary resembles Robin, possibly enough to convince the attorney she is Robin, and suddenly Leslie hatches a plan to claim her own inheritance and help Mary realize her dream of going to California to be an actress as well.

The author does a stellar job in keeping the reader off balance as to who is being truthful, who has secrets and who to trust. You really do wonder who is the better liar in the book. The story takes many twists and turns throughout the pages. The Better Liar will draw you in and keep you guessing.

I received this book courtesy of Ballantine Books Random House Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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<p>Today's post is going to dive into The Better Liar by Tanen Jones. I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It was released on January 14, 2020 and I definitely recommend you go pick this one up. (Even if that means virtually right now!)</p>
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This story is told through three points of view, alternating between Robin Voigt, her sister Leslie, and Mary. It starts through Robin's point of view--and...she's dead.


After being introduced to the thoughts of a dead character, we turn to Leslie, who becomes the main voice, finding her dead sister and quickly thinking through her options. She had gone looking for her sister who had run away almost a decade earlier now that their father died. In his will he left a stipulation that both sisters must be present for either of them to receive the money left to them in the will. A nice $50,000 each. How can Leslie get that money now, without having to dispute through probate?

Easy. She walks away from the body, which has a fake ID on it. Nobody will know she's been there. And even more convenient, a stranger named Mary is found near her car. They become acquainted with each other and Leslie asks Mary to pretend to be Robin in order to get the money.

Everybody lies in this book--but who is the better liar? I really enjoyed this book and the twists and turns that Jones wrote make sense and are satisfying to the reader. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

Happy reading :)

Wow - just wow! Sneaky, suspenseful, and sometimes a really wild ride! The author makes the characters come alive in the books, and that makes it more difficult to put it down - like a boom you want to read and find out what happens next vs. going out with your friends that night! So impressive, and super enjoyable!

I received The Better Liar as an ARC from NetGalley. Leslie has not seen her sister in 10 years but needs to find her in order to receive the inheritance from their father. When she arrives at her sister's apartment she learns that Robin is dead of an overdose. While in Las Vegas, she meets a waitress, Mary, who resembles in her sister and she convinces her to go back to Alberquerque with her and pretend to be Robin so she can claim the inheritance. The story alternates between the point of views of Leslie and Mary and there are unexpected surprises as you try to determine which is the better liar. Neither of the girls are likeable.

I’m torn on how to review this one. Leslie goes to see her sister Robin after 10 years of being apart. She needs her to receive the inheritance from their father. The story is told from three different POVs. I was interested throughout. My problem is the the twists didn’t sit well with me. I’m not sure how believable I thought they were.

Sister vs sister. They grew up not getting along. They don't remember things the same way. At their father's dying wish they have to spend time together. When Leslie finally tracks down Robin, she finds a dead body and bolts. She then pays a woman who looks very similar to the sister she hasn't seen in 10 years to act the part of Robin. From there things get crazier, if they could. Which sister is lying, which isn't, and why? This story kept me turning the page to find out what happened next, and who was lying? Really good, fast paced, quick read.

The Better Liar has a great premise and a promising start. The story does have plenty of tension and some pretty good twists along the way. That said, it moves a bit too slowly for my tastes, especially when I'm all geared up for a gripping thriller. The characters are a bit of a mixed bag for me. I struggled with some more than others, particularly Leslie while Mary went a long way toward saving this one. I suppose you could say that she kept things interesting. I did like the twists and the storyline, but I think a bit too much time was spent with introductions and setting the stage. In the end, I think this author shows great potential and the story was well worth the read, I just feel like it needed to be tightened up a bit.

A novel by Tanen Jones

Leslie left her sister Robin as she had found her; dead of a drug overdose in a seedy Las Vegas apartment. She could have called the police to report the death, and taken responsibility for the funeral, but that would have been rather inconvenient. Without the report, Robin was still alive, legally. Instead, Leslie, hounded by her own demons, decided to leave Robin to lie in a paupers grave unmourned, as the stranger claimed to be. Appropriate for someone who had run away from home ten years previously, at the age of sixteen.

The downside was that Leslie desperately still needed Robin to return with her to Albuquerque; there was the matter of an inheritance, fifty thousand dollars for each of them. That amount of money would solve problems at home. Unfortunately, running it through the courts would take months, time Leslie did not have. The answer to her puzzlement came to her in an alcohol-laced haze. Mary, her erstwhile drinking companion, could pose as Robin; they even looked a bit alike.

No doubt, the Devil was laughing at the thought.

"The Better Liar" is a story filled with twists and liars. Who's better? Mary; the waitress Leslie hires to impersonate her dead sister Robin?
Or Leslie, she certainly is up in the air about something. Could it be Robin's ghost? Each can justifiably lay claim to the title. What's worse is that they are all unpleasant. There is no one to cheer for here.

Tanen Jones is a skilled storyteller and an astute observer of people. But why write a novel about three people the like of which you hope you never meet in life? The author has an answer to that query also; it is a good one.

I recommend "The Better Liar" to those ladies who love psychological drama. As for my brothers out there, I say, "Here there be dragons."

I received a copy of this ebook courtesy of Ballantine Books and Net Galley in return for this review.

Pretty nice psychological thriller, reminded me of Gone Girl and Girl in a Train. I like how it is structured with multiple points of view and slowly the story starts to make sense.

Well, my goal for the next two weeks since we’re in a shutdown in PA is to get some reading done. Last night I was finally able to finish the debut novel by Tanen Jones, “The Better Liar.” I have to admit this book wasn’t the have to keep going thriller that I’m used to, but still enjoyable.

Leslie has finally found her sister, Robin, after years of never seeing her. She has to find her and bring her home, because in order to claim the inheritance her father left her both daughters need to be present. The problem - Robin is dead. The solution - have someone pretend to be Robin.

The story is told from three POVs - Leslie, Mary, and Robin. You realize all the characters are completely crazy and have something to hide.

Mary was a questionable character from the beginning, because she was simply at the right place at the right time and looked almost identical to Robin. Leslie is completely on board with this plan and she herself is a questionable character.

I have to admit the pacing for this story was on the slower side, and to be honest never picked up. It was intriguing and you wanted to see how all the stories will eventually match up with eachother. The ending and he big twist I did enjoy. I can’t say too much about it, but I personally did not see it coming.

Overall, not the best thriller and TBH it’s a little take it or leave it situation. I think the author has great potential and I do look forward to her next thriller.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I will be posting a full review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram.

The Better Liar is a twisty, dark domestic thriller that may keep you guessing until the end. Forced to find her sister to fulfill her father's last wishes, Leslie arrives in Vegas to find Robin dead. In desperate need of the money, for reason's no on but Leslie knows, she meets a charming stranger named Mary. Mary, running from ghosts of her own, has a striking similarity enough to Robin that they strike a deal. Mary will come home with Leslie and impersonate her sister so they can split the money. However, this is more than what Leslie has bargained for.
Mary infiltrates her home and discovers Leslie is hiding secrets from everyone-even her husband. With shocking secrets of her own, what follows is a cat-and-mouse game with a startling conclusion.

The premise and description were very intriguing and there were several twists and surprises, including some darker subjects that were unexpected. The characters were unlikeable but interesting and the story is easily consumable. The ending felt a little rushed; a more fleshed out conclusion would make for an even better read.

Thank you to the writer, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

In The Better Liar, we have a crazy, surprising story of two women. Robin left home for Las Vegas more than ten years ago and has been a nuisance to her sister Leslie ever since. Leslie has been acting as caretaker for their ailing father, but he has now passed away. His will requires the sisters to reunite if they want to receive their inheritances. So Leslie must go to Vegas and track down Robin. Unfortunately she finds that her sister is also dead, having overdosed on heroin only hours before she arrived. Leslie is scared and stressed and flees Robin's home, only to meet Mary, an actress...

This book surprised me in the end, despite the fact that the clues were there. I completely enjoyed the ride.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to the publishers for the early copy of this novel for review. I throughly enjoyed it. At first, I had a hard time getting into it and thought I might quit. Glad I kept going. Lots of twist and turns along the way and some unexpected excitement. If you like books that leaving with that WOW feeling this is a great one.

This was an engrossing read and had quite a good twist that I wasn't looking for so that is always a positive. But that ending. There was just so much about it I couldn't get past.

Now this one was so excellent and Intriguing I didn’t want it to end! Y’all will definitely want to read this one. It will keep you guessing the whole time!