5 stars

Just like The Last Flight, The Lies I Tell is a fast-paced novel with well-written characters, a plausible plot, and a satisfying ending. After both of these novels, Julie Clark is now one of my must read authors.

This story is told from the viewpoints of Kat and Meg and alternates between past and present. Both women are looking for something more.

Kat is a disgraced journalist and Meg is a con-woman. For 10 years, Kat has blamed Meg for the path that her life has taken and has been researching her in order to expose her. She feels that an article about her will revitalize her career and put her in her place. Meg has been running cons for years but is now back where she started to right a wrong from many years ago in what will be her ultimate con. These two women become unexpected friends even though they are not being completely honest with each other. As we learn more about them, we learn they are more alike than similar and eventually they are able to help each other achieve their desired goal.

The ending was open-ended which I don't always like, but it worked for this one. Would definitely recommend reading this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a first from this author for me, but it won't be the last. Meg, Maggie, Melody...different names for the same person. As changeable as a chameleon, her story and personality changes depending on what she wants you to know and what con she is running. Kat has been waiting ten years for her chance to catch up to the woman that she believes ruined the trajectory of her life. Kat, a writer and former journalist, is determined to expose Meg once and for all. The Lies I Tell thrills with twists and turns that you won't see coming, and just when you think you have it figured out, nothing is as it seems. Get ready for a nonstop, wild ride.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐤?

When Meg, the Robin Hood of con artists, sets a plan in action that dramatically changes the course of Kat’s life, Kat becomes hell bent on revenge. A floundering journalist, she is determined to change her fortune by writing a masterpiece on the story of Meg and her cons. But nothing is as it seems, as the two become friends, each with their own deeper motive.

Clark's sophomore novel is a captivating story that hooks you in from the very first page. The writing was clear and concise, and created a fast-paced quick and easy read which is always important in a good mystery.

Both main characters are fascinating, multi-faceted, very unique individuals and this book becomes a battle of wits between them as they vie for the upper hand, almost as though I was watching a sporting match.

My only criticism is that the end began to drag just a tiny bit as it drew to its conclusion. But all in all, still an excellent read.

I have not yet read Clark’s first book, The Last Flight, but after reading and enjoying this one, it won’t be long until I get my hands on that one as well. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Lies I Tell is by Julie Clark, the same author who wrote The Last Flight, which I know some of you liked.

Meg is a con artist who strategically places herself in the lives of men who are bad individuals for various reasons. After many years, she finally has the opportunity to get revenge on the man who ruined her mother’s life and took everything from them when she was young.

Kat is a reporter who has been intrigued by a con Meg was a part of that brought down a local high school principal. After years of having Meg slip through her fingers, Kat sees her at a fundraiser for a local politician.

Kat places herself in Meg’s life under false pretenses while investigating her. However, Meg knows what Kat is up to from the beginning but continues their relationship to keep her close and “guide” her in ways that work to her advantage.

This was a really good “cat and mouse” story in which you find yourself rooting for both characters. The ending took a direction that I wasn’t expecting, which was oddly satisfying.

This is a unique and creative thriller and I was not able to predict where the story was going or how it would end. You can not know the path another person has walked is a apt point of view for The Lies I Tell. Meg and Kat both have been wronged. Meg has made a point of manipulating those with whom she seeks revenge. Kat, blames Meg for her own hurt and as a journalist plans to expose her. The intertwining of lives, the details, the characters, were all impressively written. I was drawn more to Meg from the start of the story. Her motivations and actions seemed clearer than Kats’.

The book left me thinking about revenge and if it is justified. I can’t wait to talk about this one.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the arc. This is my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this long con story.

The paths of Kat and Meg cross shortly after graduation with life-altering results, then again ten years later. Meg has become a practiced con woman who has transformed herself and her story numerous times before she returns to her hometown. Kat recognizes Meg for the real person she is and seeks to expose Meg, finding revenge for her years ago tragedy. But the story is much more complicated than that.

Kat is a journalist engaged to a local policeman who is a recovering gambler. Kat wants to write a career-defining story but is forced to write click-bait ads in order to make a living. Meg was raised by a single mother who was tricked out her family home, forcing the mother and daughter to live hand to mouth while sleeping in their car. Clark has spun a page-turning thriller full of twists and turns where truth depends on perspective. Told in parallel narratives, the character and motivation for each woman is slowly revealed as the long con unwinds. I found myself cheering on both women right up to the satisfying conclusion.

I may be in the minority here but this book just didn’t work for me. I found it frustrating. I liked the start of it and the dealings with getting the bad guy taken down. But then it goes into revenge and how Kat is stalking Meg and they’re both stalking each other and lying to one another and it just annoyed me. I found it slow and repetitive and i just didn’t care about the story anymore. I really loved The Last Flight so i expected to like this as well. But it was just not for me.

I’m going to predict that this book will be on book club lists from coast to coast. So well written, imaginative and unique. I was pulled right in from the first chapter. This is the best book I’ve read in almost a year!

I read The Last Flight two years ago and fell in love with the story. When I saw this was available I requested right away! I was so curious to see how things between Meg and Kat would work out.
In true Julie Clark fashion she had me guessing until the very end and I wasn't disappointed.
We start meeting Meg and Kat at a fancy political fundraiser. Kat recognizes Meg but Meg has no idea who Kat is. All we know is Meg betrayed Meg a decade ago and Kat is ready for revenge. As we go back and forth from a decade ago to present day, then two years ago to present day we learn all of Meg's con artist ways and how they will soon translate to Kat.
Since seeing Meg at the fundraiser, Kat has decided the best way to get her revenge on Meg is to get close to her. A whole slew of mishaps start to come to light the closer Kat gets to Meg but is Meg really to blame?
What a great book!

I love strong female characters and Julie Clark knows how to write them! The clever plot with its twists and turns made for a quick, very enjoyable read. Highly recommend! Julie Clark is two for two! I’m eagerly awaiting her next novel!

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. I have one word to describe "The Lies I Tell"--that word is "WOW". Julie Clark you have done it again with this new novel. The book was awesome and kept me surprised until the end. Meg Williams is con artist. Her personality is like a chameleon. Kit Roberts is searching for that perfect story to write and the story she is chasing is about Meg. The story revolves around these two women which each have their own ulterior motives. Nothing is truly as it seems in "The Lies I Tell".

Perfect for fans of suspense novels. I particularly enjoyed the feminist / strong women angle. Seeing how a con artist puts together her cons is fascinating and I liked the back and forth between the two women, which keeps the pace moving. Clark is so skilled at plotting and has crafted another page turner here. The theme of revenge is also compelling. Although I didn't like this one quite as much as THE LAST FLIGHT, because it didn't feel quite as fresh, I did find THE LIES I TELL to be another terrific five-star read.

I've been in a reading slump lately. I don't know, maybe I was getting burned out on historical fiction. I was notified by #Netgalley that I was approved for an ARC of The Lies I Tell and thought, what the heck, maybe this one will grab my attention since I really enjoyed Julie Clark's previous novel, The Last Flight. Let me tell you, grab my attention is an understatement! I literally could not put this book down! The story is about a con artist named Meg, or Melody, or Maggie, or whatever name she chooses for that particular job. She chooses her marks wisely and even though I kept telling myself that she was a bad person, I couldn't help but root for her til the very end.

This one sucked me in early on and kept me hook the whole time. I love a story that takes a character doing not great things but makes them sympathetic and likable. You can’t help but like Meg. You understand her motivations and frankly, I was kind of impressed by her. My favorite parts were her and Kat circling each other. I appreciated the friendship they were able to cultivate despite their suspicions of one another.

The tension was fun and the ending was satisfying. I’ll definitely be recommending this one.

What a great thriller! I’ve been wanting to read Julie Clark for a while now, and this did not disappoint. It was a great twisty turns unputdownable book,

I loved this one! Fast read, super fun, relatable characters. My only complaint was the epilogue. I won’t spoil the ending, but I was hoping Kat would choose the other path.

4.5/5 stars

After years of research and a failing writing career, Kat finally gets the opportunity to get to know Meg, a con-artist, and expose her for who she is. Kat's mission is more than just a career-changing article, it's also revenge after Meg set her up for disaster.

Knowing Meg is sneaky Kat has her reservations while befriending her but is Meg really the person Kat needs to be worried about? Will Meg actually use Kat like she has her other victims? And will Kat actually want to expose her if she gets the chance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The end was slightly predictable but there were plenty of twists throughout

#theliesitell #NetGalley #julieclark #bookreview #bookreviewer #librarybookhog #

I was really looking forward to reading The Lies I Tell so I was thrilled when the publisher granted my wish. I became a Julie Clark fan when I read her previous book, The Last Flight. I enjoyed this book so much the premise is very clever, the main characters are savvy, strong women who handle all of the plot twists and turns extremely well.

One of the main characters, Meg, is a con artist. Changing her name and occupation to get what she wants. The other main character, Kat, is a journalist that is looking to expose Meg and bring her down. After awhile you begin to wonder who is actually conning who.
This was a slow start for me but it picked up around 3/4 of the way through and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this book for review.

Wow... this was my first novel from Julie Clark and I was really impressed. Definitely a thriller and kept you guessing all the way until the very end. Must read if you like suspense novels!