I really really enjoyed this! I loved that the main characters were two strong independent women and their friendship was strong <3 I also liked the dual pov and how we slowly unfolded both what happened and their pasts. There was always something going on which I love! I think it's safe to say i'll read anything Wendy Heard writes. I absolutely adore her writing and way of storytelling <3

3.75 stars, rounded up

Oooh, this was a twisty ride that I could not get enough of! Once I started, I struggled to put it down!

I loved the alternating POVs of Summer and Leo, two pickpocketing con artists trying to scrape their way through life without getting caught. Leo sets her sight on billionaire Michael Forrester and ends up getting invited to his private island for investors weekend. Summer has a bad feeling about Leo's trip, so she cons herself into getting invited as an investor's date. When Summer arrives at the island and Leo is nowhere to be found, she realizes that her gut had been right and starts digging around, trying to find her missing friend.

The story is told in alternating POVs of both Leo and Summer, both in the present as well as their past. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to the past as I found it added a lot of suspense to the story and kept me guessing at where the story was headed.

I thought the twists were for the most part, really good! The main thing that kept this from being 4 stars for me, was that I found a couple of the twists a little too outrageous to fully believe.

All in all, this was a fun, quick read that will leave you guessing the whole time!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not for me. I appreciate the publishers and netgalley giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down! I was truly sucked into Summer and Leo’s lives, and I loved how it switched points of view and dates throughout the book. It made me want to read even faster to uncover everything that was happening and who was all involved and/or lying! I finished it in 2 sittings because I was so obsessed with figuring out what was happening. 4.5 stars!

Oh my goodness this book had me hooked from the very beginning, and kept me hooked the entire time! I couldn’t stop!

I was really into this book for about the first half, and then it kind of fell off for me.

The story switches POV between Summer and Leo, two women in their twenties who live off the grid. They sleep in a car and pickpocket and steal in order to make their way in the world. Leo is more of a long-gamer, finding rich men so she can get a big payday. She tracks down billionaire Michael Forrester and gets herself invited to his private island for an investor's weekend. Summer, worried about Leo, gets herself invited as well. When Leo disappears somewhere along the way, Summer starts investigating what happened to her, tracking down the timeline to figure out what could have happened to Leo.

The general plot of this novel is right up my alley. I like thrillers and characters with secrets, so this one sounded like it would be a good one for me. The first half was pretty good, assuming I could suspend my disbelief about women being willing to go to a private island with no cell service with strange men.

From there, I saw the twist coming very quickly. Trying not to spoil anything, I just wish the story had played out a little differently. I wanted Leo to have been aware and more in control of the situation with Michael, and she wasn't. I felt generally just disappointed by the ending.

If the premise sounds like something you would enjoy, I'd still recommend that you pick it up and see what you think!

Such a twisty book! I had no idea what a ride this would be! I read some, listened to some and the audio makes it so much more intense! Will absolutely be reading more of her books!

This was a solid, thrilling thriller that kept me guessing and reading quickly!
It read like a movie script, actually. I loved the character development and the plot twists - great read!

LOVED IT! Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book! I can't wait to see what else this author brings!

Summer and Leo have been nomads for years, committing petty theft as they go. Leo sees an opportunity with billionaire Michael. But when she doesn’t return after her night out, summer is left trying to find her, no matter the cost.

I haven’t been reading many thrillers recently, but this one got me back in the mood. It was entertaining. I found it a little difficult to navigate what day the start was on depending on the POV. I also felt like there were some questions left to answer about some of the side characters.

Thank you so much for this ARC! I ended up listening to the audio and loved it. I went in semi blind on the plot when I began listening and got quickly wrapped up in the story. I loved the two main characters individually and how they complemented each other as a duo.

The secluded and elite plot was fun! The unreliable characters mixed with an uncertain past left me entertained and excited to keep going. Their "tricks" were interesting to learn about and their friendship was really rare.

A fast and entertaining read/listen!

I truly enjoyed this thriller! I went into this one completely blind and did not read the synopsis before reading it and I am so glad that I did. I love when I am rooting for morally grey people it's my fave!

This is a really excellent female friendship story and mystery/suspense, perfect as we enter pool/beach reading season! Great characters and intriguing connections in the story.

This books gives all the sunny California vibes, with the story of two nomad women who are sisters by choice. They make their living by way of small time thievery and conning unsuspecting men. However they have chosen the wrong man in Michael Forrester. When Leo doesn't return after her night with Michael, Summer is forced to follow her to a private island that he owns. Con artists are not my favorite fictional characters, but I did really like Summer. I found she put her talent to creative use in tracking down Leo. Did things go her way that shouldn't have? Yes. Did I believe she could really get away with half of the stunts she pulled? No. That being said, the book flowed nicely with an interesting timeline where Summer and Leo's stories are always a day a part, and the billionaire-owned, private island setting added a Fantasy Island type of feel to the book. What I enjoyed most was the close connection between the two women. Here is a quote that resonated with me: "Home is a person, not a place, and everything we need is here, no matter where we go."

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this book. Finished in just a couple of days, which is quick for me. It gave me a look into the freespirit lifestyle I never dreamt of. The back and forth and scheming in this book was great. I definitely enjoyed it.

This book was so, so, so good! It was very tense tale about the bonds of friendship and the lengths people will go through for their found family, and this book had so many twists and turns that I had NO idea what was next or how it was.s going to end. I loved it, and I can't wait to read whatever she puts out next!

"You Can Trust Me" by Wendy Heard is a thrilling ride through the sun-drenched landscapes of California, blending elements of friendship, freedom, and betrayal into a narrative that captivates and surprises at every turn. This novel explores the deep bond between Summer and Leo, two women who have found solace and strength in each other's company amid the challenges they've faced. Their life on the road, marked by small-time crimes and the pursuit of freedom, is a testament to their resilience and determination to escape the shadows of their pasts.

The plot takes a dramatic turn when Leo sets her sights on Michael Forrester, a billionaire whose wealth and influence present an opportunity too good to pass up. Leo's disappearance after securing an invitation to Forrester's private island catapults Summer into a desperate search for her friend, leading to a gripping investigation that is as much about uncovering the truth as it is about self-discovery.

Wendy Heard masterfully crafts a story that is as unpredictable as it is engaging. The transition from the freedom of the open road to the isolating luxury of a private island is executed with a tension that keeps the reader on edge. Summer's infiltration of the island to find Leo introduces a maze of deceit and danger, with the realization that their pursuit of freedom has led them into a trap far more complex than their usual cons.

The strength of "You Can Trust Me" lies in its richly developed characters. Summer and Leo are not just partners in crime; they are reflections of each other's desires, fears, and unyielding spirit. Their friendship is the heart of the story, driving the narrative forward and giving it emotional depth. The portrayal of Michael Forrester adds layers of ambiguity to the plot, challenging the reader's perceptions and expectations.

Heard's writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the essence of the settings and the internal turmoil of the characters with equal skill. The suspense builds steadily, with twists that are both surprising and satisfyingly plausible. The novel delves into themes of trust, loyalty, and the lengths to which people will go for those they love, posing compelling questions about the nature of freedom and the cost of survival.

"You Can Trust Me" is a testament to Wendy Heard's ability to weave a tale that is both a psychological thriller and a poignant exploration of human connection. It is a story that resonates with the complexities of trust and deception, set against a backdrop that is as beautiful as it is menacing. This novel is a must-read for fans of thrillers that not only entertain but also provoke thought and challenge expectations. Summer's journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the indomitable will to fight for those we hold dear.

You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard is a very fast- paced thriller in an unusual setting with 2 gifted grifters and billionaires! I loved it and read through it so fast and couldn't wait to buy a copy for my mom to read! She loved it too. It's a 5-star thriller with an emphasis on friendship.
Highly recommend!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

I recently had the pleasure of diving into You Can Trust Me, a thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The author's storytelling and ability to create tension and suspense had me hooked from the very first page. The characters were well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations, adding depth to the plot.

What I particularly enjoyed about the book was the twists and turns that kept me guessing, making it hard to put the book down once I started reading. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a thrilling ride filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected surprises.