2.75 stars

Her Dark Lies by JT Ellison is marketed as a thriller set on a secluded island. And while this is true, it's not as thrilling as I was hoping it would be.

Claire and Jack are about to be married. But Jack is from a big, influential, and ridiculously rich family so this wedding is very extravagant. The couple is getting married at a villa on a secluded island off the Italian coast. This is very idyllic and beautiful - what more could a woman want?
But of course, as soon as the couple and their guests arrive on the island, things start to go wrong. Claire is worried that someone is trying to sabotage her wedding to Jack. But Claire is hiding some secrets and wonders if her past is catching up with her.

This book is one of many recent "locked room" style tropes and it was just not executed as well as some of the others that have been published.
I think I need to take a break from this style of book because it left me super underwhelmed. There were supposed to be amazing twists, but it wasn't very twisty and not really worth my time.

I think if you haven't read too many of this trope then you probably would like it. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

3.5 stars

Last year I read and really enjoyed Tear Me Apart by this author which made me want to work my way through her backlist. I had been wanting to check this one out for awhile now especially because the premise reminded me a bit of The Guest List by Lucy Foley. There is just something about a remote island setting and weddings gone wrong that intrigues me. From the very beginning of this book, I was hooked. The short chapters helped to keep me reading unable and unwilling to set this book down. The main issue that I had with this book though was that it just felt too out there. It all just felt a bit over the top for me when I stopped to think about it. That being said, the chaos of it all made for a very suspenseful read. I tore through the pages of this book just to see how it was all going to end. And it was a fun time overall but just not my favorite of hers so far. 3.5 stars and rounding up on Goodreads.

Readers who enjoy suspenseful reads or someone looking for a book that you can't set down should give this book a try. Of her standalone books, Tear Me Apart remains my favorite but I have a few more to catch up on as well as her series books.

First I will say this book had some really great action and lots of twists and turns, but 95% of what happens is super predictable. It is a great story that is well written and thought out that is easy to read, but it will not keep you guessing or on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen next. The romance as well is lacking, I never felt a big connection between the two main characters. I also wished there was more time placed on the death of the first wife so that it would make the ending more powerful. So it is an easy fun read, just super predictable.

Her Dark Lies by J.T. Elision is good for those who love a good mystery thriller. Suspense and chaos to keep readers guessing.

Intriguingly woven into a complex narrative, the story begins with Claire, an aspiring artist, crossing paths with Jack Compton, scintillating sparks igniting between them. Jack hails from one of the nation's wealthiest families, a stark contrast to Claire's distant family connections. Jack's ardent desire to spend his life with Claire results in her being warmly embraced into the Compton clan.

However, the tranquility preceding their impending wedding is shattered by a harrowing home invasion. A lifeless intruder, and a battered bride-to-be, leave everyone perplexed about the intruder's motives. Both law enforcement and the family's private security team launch a quest to unravel the intruder's identity and the reasons behind the intrusion.

Their journey to their dream wedding on the cherished Compton family-owned island off the Italian coast takes an eerie turn when a skeletal discovery emerges during a restoration project. This unsettling revelation marks the first of many mysterious deaths on the island, hinting at a sinister presence.

As the impending nuptials are repeatedly jeopardized, a breach in their business security forces Jack to confront his past and unearth long-buried secrets. Claire, too, seeks answers, setting the stage for a tempestuous weekend for the soon-to-be newlyweds. Buckle up for an engrossing summer read filled with suspense and intrigue.

Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison takes place off the Italian coast at a secluded private family villa. Aspiring artist Claire is going to marry Jack Compton who is rich, powerful and charming. The wedding is to take place in the Compton family's villa with estate with an intimate ceremony with family and close friends. From the time they arrive at the island, things start to go wrong. The story is told in alternating povs from Claire and an unknown mysterious person who seems to know a lot about the Compton family's secrets.
This book took a little bit for me to get invested in it so it was a bit of a slow burn. There are lots of characters with secrets and lies and you won't really know who or what to believe. There is someone who doesn't want this wedding to happen and numerous things happen to try and prevent it. I kind of figured part of it out but did enjoy the reveal.

This was a really fun read that I would recommend to all of my thriller-loving friends. I loved the setting of the book and found it an exciting read with twists that I didn't always see coming.

Claire is deeply in love with Jack Compton of Compton Computers. A powerful family with government ties. A family with many enemies, friends, and fewer people that the Comptons can actually trust. Both Claire and Jack have secrets from their past and now that they are ready to wed in a remote island off the coast of Italy, can they give up their secrets.

An ex wife, an ex boyfriend, sibling rivalry, and a company that needs constant protecting, makes for a hectic wedding week.

A lot going on this thriller. Dead bodies, secrets, family relations. A little too much for me but I still liked it.

A special thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Claire is traveling to an island to get married and things are not going well...

This is an excellent book, full of atmosphere and mysterious characters. Claire doesn't know who to trust or what is real and I felt as confused and desperate as she did. The story has some marvelous twists and turns, creepy suspense, and a crazy ending. It was a fun way to spend a weekend. Well, not so fun for Claire....

Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison is a suspenseful thriller that follows the wedding of wealthy couple, Claire and Jack. The couple plan their wedding on the secluded island of Isola, off the coast of Italy. The story follows the wedding of Claire and Jack on the secluded island of Isola, where the couple hopes to leave behind their troubles and start fresh.

However, the idyllic setting is quickly disrupted by a series of unsettling events that leave Claire questioning the motives of everyone around her.

Where Claire was hoping to leave behind the traumatic events of her past, suddenly she is questioning the intentions of everyone around her. As the wedding day draws closer, the tension rises and the truth behind Claire's past and present begin to unravel.

Ellison expertly builds suspense in this novel, creating a sense of unease that keeps the reader engaged throughout the story. Her characters are well-developed, and their motivations are slowly revealed.

Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison is an expertly crafted thriller that. The writing is engaging and fast-paced, and the Isola provides an atmospheric setting, The themes of trust, betrayal, and consequences add a layer of depth to the story.

Her Dark Lies is a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers. The story may be too predictable for some readers who are familiar with the thriller genre. But, If you're looking for a suspense read, Her Dark Lies is not to be missed.

I am a sucker for mysteries, destination weddings, and untrustworthy characters. It leaves me always hoping for a similar thing favorite show of mine, Harper's Island. This was my first book by J.T Ellison, but it will not be my last. This was a quick and refreshing read because I didn't predict the ending.

I always enjoy a locked room type mystery and I think being stranded on an island counts as that kind of read and this one was just creepy enough to keep me reading. I would have liked it to be a little creepier honestly. This is a good pick for fans of The Guest List by Lucy Foley.

A solid thriller, I'll read anything that JT Ellison writes. This felt fresh & original, would recommend to mystery fans.

A luxurious Mediterranean island wedding riddled with omens of death. Claire, an artist and Nashville native with a mysterious past and strained familial bonds, is engaged to Jack Compton, yes, THAT Compton: the elite family full of wealth and...secrets. The family is supposed to be akin to Bill Gates or Elon Musk. The Comptons own a tech empire that is actually a front. Claire and Jack plan to wed on Isle Isola, which his family owns, with all their friends and family. But someone seems to want to stop the impending nuptials.
So I slogged through this and almost DNF. Upon beginning the book, I did end up reading reviews after the fact (after the narrator uses "bridegroom" unironically and this takes place somewhat in present day so my "I'm going to hate this book" mental alarms were going off). Another reviewer mentioned how often the main characters call each other "darling" so I took it upon myself to note how many times that word is used (67). Petty? Maybe. However, for me, that was probably the biggest twist and excitement in this book.
Written primarily from Claire's POV, some chapters were written from the antagonist's POV, which completely spoiled any kind of twist ending. Folks were dying left and right, but because it was the help no one cared or "asked [Claire] about the dead bodies in the crypt." The Epilogue wrapped things in a bloody little bow but there was still no clear motivation in regards to the antagonist's paranoia at all. I felt like I just went through a loop of a mystery, received a whole lot of information and then still wound up in the exact same spot as in the Prologue. Now, I know writing a novel is difficult so I apologize for my harshness and perhaps JT Ellison is just not an author I'll go back to. Fine. Lesson learned. Honestly, I'm more mad at myself for being lured by a pretty cover and being stubborn enough to spend my time finishing the book. 0.5 star rounded to 1.

JT Ellison name on Instagram is “thriller chick” for Gods sake. This woman can write thrillers and I’m here for all of them! I’ve never been to Italy or anywhere in Europe, let alone been married to a rich person but I connected with Claire. The mystery was on point and I can’t wait what JT is bringing next!

J.T. Ellison never disappoints. From a completely addictive plot to her writing that flows effortlessly throughout the narrative, HER DARK LIES is another winner for me. This book was one hell of a taut, suspenseful ride.

I enjoyed reading this book so much! I kinda just devoured it, the mystery was intriguing, and the idea of a wedding gone wrong was just so interesting to read! It's supposed to be a happy occasion, and death marring it, well, it's not supposed to happen!

Claire is so happy and so lucky to marry Jack, she thinks. She has a not so great past, but she's overcome it-and he's a rich, well to do gentleman from a well off family. But they both have secrets, and those secrets are coming up to sabotage their wedding.

From the beginning with the break in at their house, to the storm when they arrive, her dress being wrecked, to the deaths starting to happen, the Compton business serves being hacked, it seems like everything is going wrong. I really enjoyed how the atmosphere went so very intense, and watching Claire learn these secrets was so great!

Absolutely loved that ending! I can totally believe the motives of the bad guy, and why they did what they did. And why Claire did what she did. But that final reveal, that was pretty shocking, and I absolutely loved it, it fit in so well with everything that had happened in this book!

Loved reading this book, and I really need to read more of J.T. Ellison's books!

Her Dark Lies is set on an Italian island villa, features a destination wedding between wealthy Jack and common Claire, and troubled happenings everywhere in between. This book honestly felt like something I've already read before, which really bummed me out. I love to be surprised by a twist, but I could see this one coming from a mile away.

I think the doomed wedding storyline may be a little overused. This book starts off pretty slow with lots of descriptions of Isle Isola, the villa itself, and character background. All of this stage-setting felt forced to me and the story didn't progress naturally. As someone who recently got married, I don't think this book struck the right chord with me, seeing as I loved my wedding and couldn't relate to all the stress the characters experience surrounding this wedding.

Ultimately, Her Dark Lies was unbelievable for me and left a lot of plot holes and unanswered questions. I certainly think there was potential, but having read a very similar book that I also wasn't a fan of, I don't think this style of thriller is my favorite. If you love length atmospheric description and are interested in thrillers set around weddings, maybe give this a try and I'll cross my fingers you enjoy it more than I did!

Thank you so much to Mira, J.T. Ellison, and NetGalley for the ARC of Her Dark Lies!

Honestly, this was one of my more enjoyable reads recently but I didn't love it. It was corny but it grabbed my attention. I've been struggling a lot with the books I've been reading. I've been reading a lot of duds lately so to have something hold my attention was nice. This book was just way too in the ridiculous category. I'd definitely be interested in picking up another book by J.T. Ellison.

Could not get in to this one! And thrillers seem to be so predictable lately. If I am not entertained by the characters enough to look past predictable plot points, it’s usually a terrible read for me and this one was headed that way!

This was not a good one for me. I requested it because I enjoyed a previous novel by this author, so I had high expectations about this book. Maybe scandalous deception, as in Good Girls Lie... or maybe not. But of all the things I would expect, I certainly didn't consider the possibility of this being one of the corniest thrillers I’ve read in a while (and I've read a lot of those). So many things were hinted at, but it was like a mad race to nowhere. It was disappointing. It truly was.