I have to keep reminding myself that this is a Teen/YA novel as the characters were fairly junior (which makes sense).

It's a story of revenge and privilege. Both are pretty annoying and felt like too far of a stretch. However, maybe autonomy at 17 is what you get when you have a lot of money. There were some decent twists in there, but it felt like too far of a stretch of a novel as a whole.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a ride along! This is an riveting tale of manipulation and intrigue as "Lydia" navigate in a game of identities and deception. The author kept me guessing until the end.

i’ll be honest, i almost DNF’d this at about 20%, but right before i had decided yes or no, something interesting happened. every time it had been dull for a while, something would happen that made you want to keep reading. i’ll give it to the author, that’s a really good writing strategy, but i wish there was more happening.

i feel like the reveals of what happened to shannon’s mom were done well and at the proper times, but the pacing otherwise wasn’t my cup of tea. she tried for revenge the first time around the 40% mark and ended up not going through with it, and then the events just got more convoluted from there.

the slight romance in the story picked up a lot more in the last 20% but by that i mean it went from “oh he’s cute” and “he’s not as obnoxious as i thought he was” to just a random full blown make out session in his hotel room after she told him what she had done. not to mention she got the fastest solution to being wanted by the police that i’ve ever seen.

i know this genre is often known for having to suspend disbelief, but that was really hard for me. i think it’s really ironic that the whole time shannon’s mom worked for the harrington family that she was telling shannon all the awful things the girls would do and shannon constantly told her to just let it go, that she cared too much, that she was obsessed, and her mom didn’t listen. but when her best friend told shannon the same thing after her mom died, all of a sudden it’s okay for shannon to be obsessed. talk about hypocrisy.

not to mention, if your best friend, a person who is concerned for your health and wellbeing is telling you “hey, maybe you’re taking this too far, come here and we can talk and we will work through it” and you cut her off because you’re more concerned with getting revenge on two girls, no matter how awful they might be, maybe YOURE the problem.

'such a good liar' is basically if you told me the kiddie section of the amusement park had a roller coaster and when it started, it ended up being yes-very underwhelming.

now don't get me wrong, there was so much momentum and potential for like 92% of the book? and then somehow it all gets wasted at the end which was confusing and felt incomplete. it was such a big tease, considering that I'd wanted something more and the whole concept was fire. I mean who doesn't like a good revenge tale?

but everything, the story and even the mc's plan(s) literally flopped at the end as the author scrambled to have different ways to make a conclusion. the ending was so dumb too..it's like the author closed her laptop and went aight imma head in the middle of it all. and the romance was okay at first but then it all just felt a little too convenient. people were complaining about how the other characters were 2D, but i didn't care. they're lit just bored, spoiled, basic, rich, white kids. what me really pissed was how this story was COMPLETE even though it was an ARC. like if this is the author's definition of complete, then our Google docs of unfinished stories are candidates for a Newberry medal or something.

I came in with high expectations, went through it with high expectations and literally ended it DISSAPOINTED. the ending sucks so bad it's sad.

I haven't read a Sue Wallman book in years, unfortunately this was a disappointment. I didn't like any of the character's and I felt that considering this is a thriller, the pacing was slow. I think the only part of the book I liked was the ending, even if it was incredibly unrealistic.

First, thank you so much for the opportunity to read your ARC!! I loved the idea of this story but the execution was just not my style. Although I do enjoy a fast pace every now and then, this was actually TOO fast-paced for me and seemed pretty rushed. I also really wasn't fond of the character development and did not find myself connecting to any of the characters as I do often with characters in a story/book. Overall I've definitely read worse and didn't have to pep talk my way into finishing it, I do feel like others with different tastes will enjoy it more than I did.

I...did not like this one.

I hated our characters, but mostly simply didn't like the writing style or the way the story was told. Definitely not for me.

"Such a Good Liar" is a ya thriller written by Sue Wallman.

The story follows 17-year-old Lydia Cornwallis, who has just landed on the exclusive Caribbean island of Fengari, populated only by the ultra-rich and their staff. Sent solo by her parents to participate in a wealthy summer remedial studies program and a guest at an expensive facility, Lydia has been to the island before, when she was a child, with her family. Because of this she has old contacts on the place, specifically the Harrington family, the oldest dynasty in Fengari, who are extremely appreciated and revered. In particular their daughters, sisters Emily and Annabel, believe they can rule the place, throwing lavish parties and treating everyone around them as toys for their personal amusement. Lydia looks forward to meeting them. Not to reconnect with old acquaintances. But to make them, and more generally all Harringtons, pay for what they have done. Lydia in fact is not the real Lydia Cornwallis, but someone who has taken on her identity, appearance, and attitude to exact revenge. When a storm hits the island and all roads to the mainland are cut off, Lydia is given the perfect opportunity to carry out her murderous plan. However with time running out, unexpected events, and her identity at risk of being discovered, Lydia will need to be especially cunning, adaptable, and calm if she is to succeed.

I found it an extremely fast-paced, intriguing and engaging read. There were several elements that did not entirely convince me, but in the end it kept me entertained and was enjoyable.

The storyline proceeds quickly, with a brisk and at times tense pace, made even smoother by the presence of short chapters. Thanks to the issue of the false identity and the plan for revenge, the deceptions, subterfuges, plots and machinations unfold in a way that I found really interesting. I was quite convinced by the first and middle parts of the story, although I admit that I felt certain situations were too forced and convenient. In particular, there is one thing that left me a little disappointed, because I expected otherwise, but that still can fit. The ending, on the other hand, seemed to me rather rushed, somewhat simplistic compared to the events narrated.

I liked Lydia - not Lydia, protagonist and only pov in the first person. Lydia - not Lydia is a seventeen-year-old girl, very cunning and enterprising, moved by a deep sense of revenge for something that was done to her. Determined, shrewd, devious and perceptive, she has organized an extremely precise plan to achieve her goal by assuming the identity of the real Lydia, a girl from a wealthy family. However, as motivated as she is, she is not immune to attacks from her more sensitive side, which often intrudes to create disruption. I particularly enjoyed this character, her psychology. Specifically, I enjoyed the contrast between the real girl and the false identity, two totally opposite personalities as a way of thinking, acting, dressing, behaving and so much more. Seeing the protagonist step into Lydia's shoes, impose certain attitudes on herself, struggle at times to maintain the charade, was very interesting. Just as interesting was the juxtaposition between her desire for revenge and her conscience, which on more than one occasion caused her problems. I admit that some of her decisions puzzled me, however, I liked her.

The secondary characters, on the other hand, seemed to me to be almost all detestable! Which fits, that was the author's purpose and in my opinion she did a fantastic job. They are a bunch of spoiled, arrogant, overbearing rich kids who have a great time bossing people around and making fun of them. Emily and Annabel, the Harrington sisters, are the worst and think they can rule the island and treat people like toys. I hated these characters with a passion because they are truly despicable and know no bounds to the worst in their viciousness. Unfortunately, they seemed superficial in their characterization, so much so that I risked confusing some of them. In addition, some characters seemed to me to be inserted haphazardly, without specific purpose, full of untapped potential. A very marginal romance component is present, which seemed to me too quick and out of place in relation to the story being narrated. I don't know, I admit I didn't feel the need for it and it seemed forced.

All in all, I found it to be a cute ya thriller, not without its flaws, with a fast and brisk pace, which I recommend to lovers of the genre.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I loved the idea of this — that a young woman is impersonating a wealthy socialite she’s switched places with in order to get revenge on the rich people who killed her mother. But it was such an unpleasant slog. I made myself keep reading to review it and to get to the end and finally get the murdering I was promised. The characters are so wretchedly horrible that I hated reading it. It was also completely unbelievable and the ending felt like it had been swapped out with another story. Sorry but I am unfulfilled.

I read an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.

Well, my confession this time…

This YA novel, “Such a Good Liar,” falls short. The synopsis makes it sound really good! Young girl seeking revenge, ready to kill, double identity, secrets, mystery, and actually a fabulous and luxurious island escape, wow!

Not so much. I don’t mind loving to hate the characters of a book, here, I just hated them. The uber rich sniveling and the incessant bitching was too much. The characters, including, Lydia, are one dimensional and not fleshed out enough.

Truthfully, Lydia, is weak. She is set on revenge, but takes the easy way out?? please. Then why promote this as a novel of revenge?

The last quarter of the book is off point and flat. What ‘reveal’ there was, comes so fast and was absolutely awful. The ending was insipid. For a synopsis that makes you want to grab this one up, I was more than happy to put it down after I was letdown.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A thriller of a roller coaster ride. This book will draw you in from the first chapter and keep you spellbound all the way until the end.

A novel that will have you rooting for the villain! Shannon loses her mum to a fire which is covered up by the influential owners of the house where her mum worked. Shannon decides to seek revenge. This was a gripping read and i was really rooting for Shannon against the awful Harrington family. The ending did feel a little rushed but it was ultimately satisfying.

I enjoyed this novel overall but it was slow. Too slow. It would have been more thrilling with less detailed description (that did not forward the plot). The pacing aside, it was a decent read.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Truly enjoyable, but still a bit predictable and slow in some parts. Still, I'd happily recommend this to young adults looking for a fun thriller. The writing was solid and the characters, while unlikeable at times, were compelling enough.

I prefer the cover with the necklace. I think it is more sophisticated and mysterious.

I didn't like the pace - it was too descriptive in the beginning on useless stuff and then rushed at the end. There was not enough description about the sisters while I could paint the island if I needed to from all the description. Sometimes you root for the villian but Shannon was not root-worthy plus that romance really threw the story off. I liked the YA premise of the adult tv show Revenge plus snooty snobs on a private island but I wish the author tried to make the characters likeable.

This was a fun romp of a read as Shannon attempts to avenge her mothers death by taking on the wealthy family that caused it. Shannon is in the race against time as she attempts to exact her revenge by riding the world of The Harrington family. Thrust into a world of money and privilege she is struck by how badly the rich behave and her desire to take them down grows. When things begin to go left she has no choice but to improvise! An engaging read!

Who else here have watched Revenge ? This book will give you the same thrill the tv show could pass ! I think I've never have read a book where I was so invested in follow the mais character and her revenge plan. I've adored this one.

I love a good YA mystery/thriller as do most of my students. I loved the concept of Lydia/Shannon pretending to be someone else to fit in to this private elite island. I felt as though the author did a nice job showing the social classes and exactly how the elite rich behave. At times I felt like this story had almost too many moving parts. With Victor, Clarrise, the basketball scholarship it felt a bit rushed at times. I found myself at the end wanting to know more and the last 100 pages flew by. Thank you netgalley and publisher for this advanced read. I can’t wait to share this with my students. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Such A Good Liar by Sue Wallman

Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 4/5
Ending: 4/5
Overall Enjoyment: 4/5
Release Dale: November 7, 2023

This is such a unique YA story that had me completely hooked all of the way from the first page to the last. The only issue I had was that it was a very slow burn pace that made it seem as through the author was not exactly sure where she was actually going herself with the story. The ending did wrap up everything nicely but i felt like it was a good 4/5 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.