From the very first page, this book had me completely captivated! The mystery surrounding Lucy and Savvy's relationship had me on the edge of my seat, yearning to uncover the truth. The narrative's seamless flow, aided by its shorter chapters, made it an effortless and enjoyable read. What impressed me most was the clever use of the podcast format, which allowed us to delve into different perspectives beyond just Lucy's.

The characters were beautifully fleshed out, and I couldn't get enough of Beverly's hilarious antics; she truly brought moments of laughter throughout the story. Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to review such a thrilling and well-crafted piece of literature.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions stated are my own.

It’s July-not too early to name my favorite book of 2023 that doesn’t even come out until 2024! Listen for the Lie is a book I didn’t even know I needed. I asked for it on a whim and I am so glad I did. Lucy is drawn back to her Texas hometown five years after she was implicated in her bff’s very suspicious death. Let me tell you what a wild ride this was. The sarcasm is so strong in Lucy. The characters are not very likable (except grandma Bev-she is my absolute spirit animal). But I was invested from sentence one and every time I thought I knew what was going on, I was wrong. Sanely this book isn’t available for purchase until March of 2024. But it should be on everybody’s list of upcoming books to read. A thousand thank you’s to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will be a hard one to top.

Another book about a podcast but this one was a little odder and grimier than some of the others I’ve read lately.

I can’t say I loved any of the characters but I did find it oddly compelling; it’s not often you read a book where everyone, including the mother of the main character thinks they did it. Having her be a romance novelist was kind of a fun choice too. I always wonder what these “notorious” people on the edges of crimes do for a living.

Lucy has come home for her Grandmother’s birthday at the same time that a true crime podcast is being done on the murder that Lucy was once the suspect. Did she do it? I thought this was a good mystery. Nothing fantastic but entertaining enough. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! The whole podcast to solve a cold murder case premise has definitely been done but felt very fresh to me this time around. That’s probably due to the unique snarky voice of the main character - her amnesia and conflicted feelings about discovering whether she was in fact her best friend’s murderer.

While I do think the true crime podcast genre is a bit overdone recently, Listen for the Lie brings a fresh novel to the scene. I was engaged in the story from the beginning. Lucy was found covered in dirt and her best friend’s blood, but can’t remember what happened that night. Many people in the small town, including some of her own family members think she was the one who killed her friend. When podcaster Ben arrives in town he seems to be the only one who believes there may have been someone else who committed the crime.

I enjoyed the layout of this book where we hear from Lucy’s point of view and sprinkled between is a new podcast interview. Each podcast reveals new details and secrets from multiple perspectives. The story moves along quickly and there are a TON of secrets, scandals, and gossip throughout. I loved the relationship with Lucy and her grandmother. I also enjoyed the chemistry between Lucy and Ben. The ending is shocking and not predictable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and highly recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Company, Henry Holt and Co. for a digital ARC.

I'll admit at the beginning I was dragging my feet in, I quickly found myself dying to know what happened. A truly captivating psychological experience dealing with memory loss and created memories that are so fascinating. This novel makes you wonder what would you do if it was you. A must read you won't regret!

Lucy is found on a road traumatized and covered in her best friends’ blood, when the find Savvy’s body everyone thinks that Lucy killed her but Lucy can’t remember a thing, and is not charged since there is not enough evidence. Lucy moves away from Texas to L.A. to get away from all the looks and whispers. But when a podcaster decides he is going to take on this cold case it brings Lucy back and the two are bound to find the truth no matter what, what they find is not what they expect.
This is such a good and suspenseful book you will be reading well past your bedtime to see what happens next. This is a book you will not want to put down. I loved it and I really love Lucy and her grandmother.

Publishing March 5, 2024. Mark your calendars. This book had a little bit of everything. A podcast. A small Texas town brimming over with secrets. An unsolved murder. And one of the BEST ill advised semi romances I have ever seen done. And I don't like romances. But This. Oh. Lucy Chase returns to Plumpton Texas at the request of her grandmother. Five years after the unsolved murder of Savannah " Savvy" Harper, Lucy's best friend. Lucy has no memory of that night though she was found wandering along the road covered in Savvys blood. Everyone believes Lucy is guilty, including her parents. Twisty, fast, funny And addictive as chocolate covered potato chips. Dear Amy Tintera, More please!!! Lucy is one of my very favorite Anti Heros EVER!!!!!! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the night of sleep I lost. It was completely worth it.

I didn't know what to expect going into this especially with the whole podcast trope but I absolutely loved it. It was hilarious but still had the seriousness needed for a mystery, along with some sad moments as well. The protagonist had to be one of my favorite characters in a book to date. She was funny, bold, damaged, but still had a lot of heart. The ending was unpredictable and done extremely well. This had everything I never knew I needed in a book. This author is definitely on my list now and I couldn't recommend it enough. Five Stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt and Company for this ARC.

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for providing me an advance copy of Amy Tintera’s #mystery novel, Listen for the Lie, in exchange for an honest review.

#ListenfortheLie is a hilariously dark and demented mystery thriller that will keep readers awake well past their bedtime. The chapters are formatted as part-novel, part-podcast transcript, which makes it all the easier to devour in one sitting.

Lucy is having a bad day. No, scratch that. A bad five years. While never charged with her best friend’s murder, her entire hometown of Plumpton, Texas, thinks she is guilty. She absconds to LA for the next five years until her favorite family member in the world, her grandmother, begs her to attend her 80th birthday party. She reluctantly agrees and returns to the scene of the crime at the same time the host of a #truecrime podcast is investigating Savvy’s murder.

The truth might not matter, but this story sure did. Whether you love or hate podcasts (or even true crime), I encourage readers to consider it for their #2024 #bookclublist. Fair warning, the novel does contain themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse.

Lucy was found wandering, with a head injury, on the night her best friend Savannah was murdered. The whole town, including her parents, are convinced she did it. Lucy still can’t remember that night and she continues to doubt herself. Now, five years later, a true crime podcaster picks up the case. Lucy returns home and agrees to work with him at the request of her grandmother. She finds herself confronted by everyone, except her loyal grandmother. This is a phenomenal book! It’s a dark comedy wrapped around a mystery. The characters are plentiful and very well defined and the dialogue is witty and often sarcastic. There are podcast interviews interspersed throughout. I highly recommend Listen for the Lie and I will watch for more books by this author! With thanks to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Company for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Listen for the Lie
A Novel
by Amy Tintera

Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt and Co for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I liked the book pretty much all the way. There were many parts that were humous. Yet, there were sad moments as well. The truth is out there if we just listen, and listen for the lie.

Eek! A new spin on true crime! It was fresh and original ANF I was completely captivated from start to finish.

Not another book about a true crime podcast! Have no fear, this book is not like the others. The originality of the plot, Lucy’s characterization, and an awesome cast of side characters allow Listen for the Lie to stand out in the crowd. It’s addictive and propulsive!

I went into this book with absolutely no expectations and was completely blown away. Lucy’s dark humor, Ben’s ability to see right through Lucy’s family and neighbors, and the layer of truth underneath all the speculation kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved the addition of Lucy’s amnesia to add that extra element of mystery to Savvy’s death and how candid Lucy is about her own probable culpability in the crime.

I wouldn’t be property reviewing this book without giving a shoutout to Lucy’s grandma, Beverly, the true MVP of this story. She stole every scene she was in and is responsible for manipulating so much of the plot behind the scenes. I adore her and strive to have her same candidness and outlook on life when I’ve aged. Plus, she seemed to be the only person actually looking out for Lucy.

I was just as eager for Ben to uncover new facts and find out what truly happened the night of the wedding. As the plot goes on it seems like everyone in Plumpton has something to hide. The aura of mystique and suspicion was extremely well done and present throughout the entire narrative. Listen for the Lie is an immersive adult debut and one thriller you won’t want to miss!

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This book has all five star reviews for a reason. Well worn ground - true crime podcast stirring up old secrets - but the writing keeps it fresh and a delight to read. Lucy was a very likable unlikable heroine. Will definitely spread the word on this book and look out for Amy Tintera’s books in the future!

Quite different than I thought it would be ! A little hard to follow but interesting nonetheless! I'm still wondering how family would doubt child ,Memorie loss would be hard to fake I would think.

"Make today so awesome, that yesterday is jealous" - Listen for the Lie

Weird quote for a murderous book but it got me in my feels and made me think, "I want this to be my new motto".

I also want to note, that, I am typically a cover snow so it was wild that I decided to choose this book when there was no cover available. With just the title and synopsis it was enough for me to be intrigued, although I am very curious as to what the cover will be and I am excited for it to be revealed!

So many part of this book resonated with me. The friendship between Savvy and Lucy, being described as "non romantic soul mates", made me think of my own best friend and the bizarre relationship we have. We understand one another when no one could quite possibly understand us. It's what I love most about our friendship.. feeling understood.

Savvy and Lucy loved each other, Savvy, always looking out for Lucy. There is no way Lucy would kill her best friend? Right? Well, Lucy, can't remember. Instead of claiming her innocence, she also just wants the truth and has a sarcastic and blunt way of showing it. With the help of Ben, a true crime podcaster, slowly but surly the truth starts to break free and when I tell you there is no way you will figure out what happened, Im telling you the truth.

I am obsessed and I mean obsessed with podcasts especially ones that circulate around true crime. I would love to find one in real life like Ben's that are able to solve unsolved crimes. I felt right there with them and tried to piece together my own opinions as to who did it. I mean, I was wrong every time but it was still fun to play amateur detective!

Amy Tintera is a well known best seller who has previously posted YA books. Unfortunately YA, doesn't really work for me but I am eager and hopeful Tintera stays on the adult thriller genre for the future. I would love to read more from her! I would also love to see another book with Ben as the podcaster, solving another crime. Ive never been one for a series but I think that Ben has a lot more to uncover and bring justice to those wronged!

This book was also a lot more than just a thriller, we also had a bit of some romance and family drama. I have to say, Beverly, was hands down my favorite character! Who doesn't love a wild, boozy grandma who loves men?

All in all, this book right here captivated my soul and I know I will be thinking about it for quite some time. Im going to miss having Lucy and Ben for company. Fingers crossed Tintera has something else in the works for me.

Check out this teaser :

What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter?

After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life.

But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast "Listen for the Lie," and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one that did it.

The truth is out there, if we just listen.

Listen for the Lie written by Amy Tintera is a wonderful book! I absolutely love that I wasn't able to predict the ending! I usually can BUT this twist at the end had me rocked!!! I would rate this 5/5 stars. Easy to read. Captivating. The storyline was easy to follow. The storyline was told in such a unique way, interviewer style in some parts! I absolutely loved it! About to read it again to see if I missed any clues in the beginning!

Lucy Chase is best friends with Savannah Harper, Savvy! They weren't friends in high school as they both were in different social groups. After Lucy graduates from college, she comes back to live in her hometown with her new husband, Matt. Lucy meets Savvy again under different social terms and become close friends.

After the majority of the town attends a local family wedding, Savvy goes missing and is eventually found dead. Lucy is found by a local man walking a dark road, mumbling and covered in blood. Lucy was "conveniently" struck with amnesia from a head injury. Lucy recalls nothing after arriving at the wedding which is highly suspicious to the people in the town she lives in. Lucy is now divorced and decided to move away to escape life in a small town after being painted as a murderer.

A Podcaster, Ben Owens, comes to her hometown to help solve the murder mystery. He has solved unsolved murders before so why would he think he can't solve this case? Does he find enough evidence to have Lucy arrested once and for all or does his investigation yield the true killer? Do both Lucy and Ben survive the killer that's been hiding this long without being discovered?

Poor Lucy — she left a wedding with a girlfriend and the friend ended up dead. Lucy was also severely beaten and can’t remember anything, and subsequently her very narrow-minded Texan small town (close relatives included) has somehow come to a wild unsubstantiated conclusion that the police never entertained, that, in absence of her recalling what happened, Lucy therefore must have killed her friend Savvy. No other suspects (like a whole bunch of other wedding guests?) No forensic evidence (like what could have hit Lucy/where’s the murder weapon?) No ongoing investigation for an open murder case. Just lazy, mean-spirited gossip. If you can get over this weird plot point (and the fact that the police are never really mentioned again), then enjoy this fairly twisty and fast-paced podcast themed story.

Lucy fled to LA 5 years ago and she’s been tempted back by her beloved grandmother. Coincidentally, a famous podcaster, Ben Owens, is also in town, and has made Lucy the centerpiece of his newest investigation. Instead of a super-tragic character, Lucy is likable — frustrated by the town gossips and mistrusting acquaintances, sullied by the new burgeoning attention of episodic podcast “fame”, and still vexed by the head injury that made her forget what happened. She is certain of one thing — she would have never killed Savvy and even with the, oh-oh, voices that keep talking to her. As she says “sugar is my main weakness, unless you count my inability to stop murdering people in my head.”

This is the first adult novel from YA author Amy Tintera, and it’s well-written and plotted, with the podcast scripts interspersing with what Lucy is learning about the past. It ended up being a page-turner for me (a read-in-one-sitting book). 4.5 stars!

Thank you to Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Just some blue eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Just a kerfuffle about daisies vs pink roses in grandma’s centerpieces.