A quick paced and creepy thriller, “You Won’t Believe Me” is mysterious in a way that keeps the reader guessing and never knowing what is real. It follows Willow, a teenager who doesn’t remember how she ended up restrained to a bed or how long she has been that way. Twice a day an old woman brings her food, silently shoveling it into her mouth. Outside the room she can hear a thumping that the Granny doesn’t make. Because Granny dies and Willow knows there’s something else in the house beyond the boy who makes weird claims about the world around them. She’s determined to escape and determined to discover the secrets the house holds.

Willow is a typical teenager, who doesn’t always make decisions that make sense and seems to have trouble following her gut. I flew through this book and the suspenseful twists it took. Some of those twists did feel a bit unhinged or out of place but, overall it was a great read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a thriller and doesn’t mind some random twists.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This is another case of a misleading synopsis. I was so ready to love this one, but it was just impossible to follow. The book has so many plot points wedged in that it’s impossible to keep anything straight. At one point, I attempted to describe this book to a friend and I absolutely sounded like a crazy person.

I didn’t like the main character. I didn’t Iike that this book made no sense. I didn’t like the ending. The only think I like about this book is the fact that I’ll most likely forget it in a few months.

Willow wakes up and finds herself strapped to a bed and can’t remember how she got there. Who is keeping her? Why? What in the world is going on?
Good news: she doesn’t stay on the bed for long. And she slowly remembers the events that led her here through a dual timeline that goes back and forth between present day and leading up to the incident that led her to being strapped to a bed. The past timeline catches up and then she’s left to decide, is she being held against her will, or is she being saved?
Once I figured out (pretty quick) that this is more character driven than plot driven, I was ready to move quickly through it because I’m not a fan of character driven books. But then I found myself really invested in Willow’s story and I needed to know the answers to her questions just as much as she did! And then there were twists that came out of the blue and the ending blew my mind and I ended up really really enjoying this one! It’s great YA suspense!

Thank you to NetGalley and Source Books Fire for the advanced digital copy! I thoroughly enjoyed it! All opinions are mine! This is out now!

The scenario here never made a lot of sense to me. The setting was so strange, so off-kilter, that there was always a sense that we couldn't believe anything that the characters experienced. It feels like the worst kind of fever dream with reality and characterization constantly shifting. With detailed descriptions of disgusting visuals and stark violence it's too much.

This book starts out so interesting and sooo creepy. I loved how it was presented. I thought the writing was absolutely amazing.

This book was very CREEPY and you could definitely feel that uncertainty seeping through the pages. I felt like I was right there with Willow experiencing everything she was!

I loved trying to figure out what was going on and if we could trust the mysterious teen Elijah.

Though the writing was very good, unfortunately I did not like the ending / the big twist. Overall, a great read.

Interesting ending!
17yo Willow wakes up chained to a bed in a house she doesn’t recognize. She doesn’t understand her circumstances or surroundings but her memories come back a little at a time. Her captor tells her the pandemic has gotten worse and created zombies and the only way they can stay safe is to stay away from the rest of civilization, if there’s anyone else alive. Willow goes along with it all until things don’t seem to be adding up. When Willow makes a few discoveries of her own, she becomes determined and desperate to escape.
Likes/dislikes: I enjoyed the details about the Everglades. This is a quick read book. The storyline is interesting, especially the ending.
Language: R for 62 swears and 1 f-word.
Mature Content: PG for kissing.
Violence: PG-13 for abduction, gaslighting, catfishing, bloody deaths, electric shock.
Ethnicity: August is white. Lavani is Indian American.

This was such a fun book!

When Willow wakes up tied to a bed with no memory of how she got there, she slowly begins to try and piece together what happened. She knows that a deadly virus had been wrecking havoc and that her father had been a lead scientist working on a cure. But beyond that… nothing. She’s fed every day by an elderly woman who calls herself “Granny”… until “Granny” succumbs to the deadly virus right in front of Willow, leaving her tied to a bed with nobody to help.

Except she’s not alone, there’s another captive. A teenage boy. In whispers, he explains that the world has been destroyed by the second wave of the virus. That all they have left is each other.

But, could it be true? And why can’t she remember what’s happened to her?

This book is all over the place in the very best way. You think it’s one type of book, then you realize it’s something else, only in the end to realize you were completely wrong. Some readers will absolutely hate that, but as someone who enjoys many genres, it was such a fun ride.

For much of the book, the chapters begin with text conversations between Willow and her crush from school, August, from before she found herself tied up. The significance of this isn’t truly revealed until the latter portion of the book and ooooh is it juicy!

If you’re looking for something different that will keep you guessing, this is the book for you! And with that ending, I really wish there was a sequel in the works!

This draws you in from the very beginning. Although book is labeled as Young Adult, everyone will appreciate this because of the incredible intensity.

Even if the main character occasionally made you want to shout in your head at her, that's what adds to the tension. I could have never predicted what would happen in this.

The story was excellent, and it was delivered in a superb manner. I might be biased, but this narrative has everything I look for in a story—I can't say more without giving it away.

"You Won't Believe Me" by Cyn Balog is a whimsical and intriguing tale that lured me into a world of secrets and surprises. The story follows a unique premise with a blend of mystery and fantasy that kept me engaged throughout.

The characters were well-developed and had distinct personalities, adding depth to the narrative. I particularly enjoyed the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and how it unfolded through unexpected twists. The author's writing style was easy to follow and made the book a quick and enjoyable read.

However, while the plot held my attention, there were moments when it felt slightly predictable and lacked the complexity I had hoped for. Some of the storylines and relationships could have been explored further to enhance the overall depth of the book.

Additionally, the pacing seemed uneven in certain sections, with the story dragging at times and rushing through crucial events at others. A more balanced tempo could have improved the overall reading experience.

In conclusion, "You Won't Believe Me" is a book worth picking up for its inventive concept and well-crafted characters. Although it may not be perfect, it offers an entertaining and imaginative escape into a world of wonder and secrets.

I hate to say this about books and whatnot, but I was looking forward to reading this, and I found to be super dissapointed. That is just my opinion though, because this was giving Handmaids Tale vibes. You don’t know exactly when you are in her memory or in the present. It is hard to follow

A truly terrific thriller that is a must read for 2023! Cyn Balog pens a tale that is complete with twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the story's epic conclusion. I had such a good time reading this book geared towards YA readers and I'm sure other readers will like it just as much!

You Won’t Believe Me by Cyn Balog
Release date June 27, 2023
Publisher Sourcebooks Fire



Willow Lafayette is a 16 yr old teenager from Pensacola Florida who wakes up restrained to a bed in a room she does not recognize. Having no idea of how she got there, or even how long she has been there, she tries to remember anything at all. The one thing she does remember is that an old lady comes in to feed her twice a day. The lady never speaks to her but tells her to call her Granny. Willow remembers things from before her captivity such as her boyfriend and the pandemic. Her father is a very well known and respected Dr of epidemiology. He was working hard to find a cure. Finally, she is set free but not before being told the world has changed as she knows it. People are now turning into these deadly monsters who are killing people. All because of an experimental drug that was released on the publicby none other than her father. What should they do now and can they escape the terror that awaits them?

3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of You Won't Believe Me by Cyn Balog in exchange for an honest review. This was an amazing book. It really made me question what is real. The whole time I was wondering if it was a mystery or horror and that question is never fully answered. I love books like this. I highly recommend this book.

Normally this type of book is for me. I did not and do like books that add the pandemic situation into them though. I read to escape not relive and read about what you are trying to get away from. There was also a lot of repetition. Didn’t love this one.

“You Won’t Believe Me,” is one of those novels that has a great premise but fails to deliver, unfortunately.

First of all, the story was trying to be to many things at the same time. As a result, it was hard to tell if it was try a thriller, romance, post apocalyptic story. This did not work. It became a drag, hard to read, and confusing.

The characters were one dimensional, we didn’t get much of a back story on them and there was a lot of repetition in the first half. This may have of been alright had the story knew what it was. However, it did not, so it was confusing and boring. As a result, as a reader, I could not relate and/or connect with the characters.

The ending, simply, a let down. The Epilogue went on so long I thought it was the beginning of a new book.

Was there potential? I think so. In my opinion, the story needed to know what it was, and have a clear and concise finish line.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire, & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

You Won't Believe Me by Cyn Balog was a ride from beginning to end. A fast paced Young Adult novel that is part thriller, part horror, and all awesome.

You really only get to know two characters, Willow and Elijah. You get to know them, sort of. By the end of the book you won't know what about them is real or isn't. But that's the beauty of the story. You just don't know because you won't know what to believe. Just as you think you know who these two are and what they are, a twist pops up and you're back to square one with them. Brilliant.

This is one of the most unique plots I've seen in a long time. You start out thinking something is horribly wrong but don't know exactly what, then find out there was some sort of zombie apocalypse, but then a twist blows everything you'd discovered out of the water. It's a brilliant plot and I was entranced by it for the entirety of the book.

The writing was simply awesome. It was easy to read, easy to follow, and it didn't drag. Sure, some might find some of the descriptive areas to be boring or unnecessary, but the fact of the matter is, the descriptive areas serve a purpose that will be revealed when it is time. I read the book in a matter of hours - I think around 4 hours, maybe 5 - because I couldn't put it down.

The ending is absolutely amazing. You'll never see the ending coming. I was so startled when I finished this book because I just never thought that what Elijah says is true... trust me when I say, the title is apt.

I gave this book 4.5 stars because it's a beautifully written story that gives off dystopian and zombie apocalypse vibes with a huge twist at the end that knocks you out of your chair.

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Fire, and Cyn Balog for the advanced copy of You Won't Believe Me in exchange for my honest review.

I unfortunately decided to DNF this one as it just wasn't for me.

As is the case with all books I decide not to finish, NetGalley is the only platform I will leave a review on.

#Netgalleyarc This book gave off Misery-vibes, tied in with a little Where The Crawdads Sing ((but only for the location)). This was very suspenseful and kept me hooked until the end. The pandemic tie-in worked well, better than some other books that have gone there since the recent pandemic. I could see this being made as a Netflix movie. A great read!

Willow is a 16-year-old junior who lived in Pensacola Florida but wakes up in what looks like a derelict house tied to a kids bed with an old lady claiming to be her granny who feeds her a bowl of white paste with tempered water and two pills every day. One day granny comes in and feeds her but forgets to give her her pills and when Willow reminds her she gets the same thing she gets every time she talks and that is told to be quiet. For The first time since waking up there she remembers who she is and where she live in the fact that this woman is not her granny but what she doesn’t know is how she got there and why no one is coming to help.The next day granny opens the door but has nothing in her hands in with a horrific look on her face tells Willow “he’s going to get you!” This is when Willow screams for help because clearly granny is dead and can you tell her to be quiet anymore but when a boy man rushes in and jumps on top of her putting his hand over her mouth she is frightened. This is the beginning of one of the craziest zombie books I had ever read it is smartly done and although I did find the middle of the book moved a little slowly but it wasn’t so slow that I wanted to stop reading it it really was a very very well put together plot throughout the book she has memories of August a boy and her class and the mayor son he was also Willow‘s crush and a boy she was getting close to right before her dad made them leave the area right before they left he told Willow “you’re going to survive this.” Everything Willow knew is now gone or is it? She wants to find her family despite what the man boy Israel tells her she refuses to believe it until she sees it with her own eyes. There is so much more to this book than just this brief summary I have given if you love zombie stories trust me when I say you’ve never read born like this this is a book I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend a solid four-star read. I received this book from NetGalley and source of books fire but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.