Member Reviews

Thank you again for this opportunity.
This book to me was such a fun summer feels type of read. I loved everything about it. I felt like it took you on a ride through out the book with its unique storyline. I like the dull timelines. Overall it was very intriguing and I am glad I was picked to be able to read this.

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I was really excited about You Can Trust Me—the premise had me hooked, and I love a story where smart, resourceful women turn the tables on powerful men - especially in today's world of calling out misogyny. The book started off strong, with an intriguing setup, a fast pace, and main characters whose backstories added just enough depth to keep me invested. It was an easy read with shifting timelines that kept things moving, and for a while, I thought this was shaping up to be a solid four-star thriller.

But then it completely lost me during the last quarter of the book. The tension that had been building started to fizzle out, the dialogue became awkward and forced, and the characters started making choices that felt completely out of step with the people we had come to know. They already read a little young for their ages, but by the end, their decision-making felt downright immature. And the villain, who should have been a menacing and powerful figure, ended up feeling almost cartoonish.

On top of that, the big reveal wasn’t all that surprising—I had a feeling from early on where things were headed, and when the truth finally came out, it didn’t hit the way I wanted it to. I also didn’t understand why Leo felt the need to lie to Summer about what happened to her sister—it didn’t add anything meaningful to the story and just left me frustrated.

That said, it was still an entertaining read. It had a fun, escapist quality to it, and I flew through it pretty quickly. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that the book didn’t quite know what it wanted to be—was it a sharp, clever thriller or an over-the-top, just-go-with-it kind of ride? It wavered somewhere in between, and because of that, it didn’t fully land for me. A decent read, but not a standout.

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I’m not always a fan of con-artist thrillers but I enjoyed this one! The pacing was great, and the uneasy, claustrophobic vibes on the billionaire’s mysterious island hit the spot. This was a wild one, but not so wild that you had to suspend disbelief like some thrillers out right now. It’s really hard to enjoy thrillers because I feel like once you’ve read enough they all become too predictable. But this one was a good one.

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This one took me awhile to get into but once I did, I found myself enjoying unraveling the mystery of it all. I wanted a little more character development and there were a few loose ends I didn't feel super satisfied with but overall I enjoyed this quick read.

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Summer and Leo have lived a hard life - finding their way in the world through whatever means necessary, which at times can get them into trouble. When Leo goes missing, Summer finds herself in the biggest con of her life as there isn't anything she wouldn't do for her best friend.

An addicting thriller full of twists that, at times, are predictable but nonetheless entertaining. This would be a perfect summer read for thriller lovers!

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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This one was hard to get into but it was worth the effort of sticking with it. It was a light thriller but it was still enjoyable. I would be willing to read what comes next from this author.

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I wish a new phrase less overdone than “page turner” would come to mind. I recently found myself in that swamp that all readers find themselves in from time to time. I read a little of this and a little of that of books that I felt that I should be interested in. On a whim, I opened up You Can Trust Me and basicly I was off to the races. At bedtime I had to make myself close the book and the next day I looked forward to opening it again. Although the author has not put forth an earth shattering cure for the world’s ills, she gives us likable characters in unusual situations going at breakneck speeds that you will be rooting for.

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I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.

It took me 2 yesrs to pick up this book. And now i see why. I just couldnt get into it. The characters and the plot. The cover caught my eye and ive read from this author before but it just felt short. The premise was boring. I wanted to stop this half way but i kept pushing through.

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I thought this book had such a captivating plot and was told at a pace that kept me hooked. I love stories that make me forget I’m reading and not actually watching a movie in my brain and this did just that!

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Thank you @randomhouse #partner , @ballantine and @netgalley for this advance reading copy.

Summer and Leo would do anything for each other. Inspired by the way each has had to carve her place in a hostile and unforgiving world, and united by the call of the open road, they travel around sunny California in Summer’s tricked-out Land Cruiser. It’s not a glamorous life, but it gives them the freedom they crave from the painful pasts they’ve left behind. But even free spirits have bills to pay. Luckily, Summer is a skilled pickpocket, a small-time thief, and a con artist—and Leo, determined to pay her own way, has learned a trick or two.

Eager for a big score, Leo catches in her crosshairs Michael Forrester, a self-made billionaire and philanthropist. When her charm wins him over, Leo is rewarded with an invitation to his private island off the California coastline for a night of fabulous excess. She eagerly anticipates returning with photos that can be sold to the paparazzi, jewelry that can be liquidated, and endless stories to share with Summer.

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This was a great, twisty con thriller! This was my first book by Heard and it won't be my last. I was impressed by the character and world-building and found the book difficult to put down.

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Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted copy of 'You Can Trust Me' by author Wendy Heard.
I was on the edge of my seat every chapter, this novel was highly enjoyable and suspenseful. 5/5 star read. I look forward to reading more from Wendy Heard!

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Never downloaded. Been having trouble with books downloading.Would still like a copy to read and review.

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You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard draws readers into a world of intrigue and deceit, where nothing is as it seems. Heard expertly weaves together elements of suspense, mystery, and a touch of dark humor, creating a thrilling and unpredictable narrative. The characters are complex and morally ambiguous, making it difficult to determine who can be trusted and who is playing a dangerous game. It's a thrilling ride from start to finish.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

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Finally getting around to reading this 🤦‍♀️

This is an easy beach read to binge in a day. Dual POV is always fun to have in a thriller. It took me a while to get into, but then the pacing was much faster the second half. I would recommend for Katherine St. John fans. A juicy drama thriller

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Thank you NetGalley for this Arc!

———

WOW! I am speechless 🫨

This was so good in my opinion. Loved the suspense and our two main characters! Would absolutely LOVE to see this as a show or a movie.. it’s written in a way I think would really have people on the edge of their seats watching it!

Summer and Leo are two women living in their truck in California. They’re con artist nomads if you will. One excels at pickpocketing due to her childhood and the other scamming rich men through black mail / girlfriend experience type relationships. Ten years ago they saved each other and ten years later they have to do it again, but this time the stakes are MUCH higher.

I definitely had a feeling of what the twist would be and I ended up being right, but ultimately I loved it. I feel like everything was tied up nicely (though I would’ve loved to know what happened to Alan & Ashley!) and the final girl type ending was bad ass. Reminded me of ‘You’re Next’!

I would absolutely recommend this if you’re looking for a thriller.

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This was the first book I have read from this author and I will be looking for more! This was such a good book, I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this book.

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Thank you to Bantam and NetGalley for my gifted digital advance reader copy.

Summer and Leo are the best of friends who also happen to be grifters. They live out of Summer’s Land Rover and are constantly in search of their next mark. It seems their ship has come in when Leo manages to catch the eye of enviro-tech billionaire Michael Forester and scores an invite to his private island to boot. Things get complicated when Leo vanishes and a concerned Summer cons her way onto Michael’s island.

Although this story is far fetched and outlandish, it was thoroughly entertaining and a great popcorn thriller. It was fun to read about Summer and Leo infiltrating the upper echelon and trying to keep their stories together in the face of various challenges. The reveal was somewhat obvious to me, but I still enjoyed the latter half of the book despite knowing what would happen. Summer and Leo remind me a bit of Mia and Lucia from season two of White Lotus, and I don’t hate it.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for Goodreads

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Pretty good for a popcorn thriller, although it skewed kind of for a younger reader. I do love a good con artist story, though. Two friends — Summer and Leo — who are grifters that live in a car together get by scamming and stealing from rich people. Since they are both beautiful women, they have little issues targeting men. When Leo them goes off with a billionaire and doesn’t come back, Summer fixes things so she can go investigate the billionaire’s private island to try to find Leo. You are going to have to suspend belief in this one, but it was enjoyable.

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You Can Trust Me follows two grifters, Summer and Leo, as they con their way through California, using charm and deception to survive. When Leo meets tech billionaire Michael Forrester, she thinks he’s their biggest mark yet—until she disappears after a trip to his private island. Summer’s search for her friend leads her into a creepy, secretive world where nothing is as it seems. While the book is fast-paced and entertaining, the characters lack depth, and the plot gets a bit far-fetched toward the end, but it's still a solid, quick beach read.

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