OMG, never did I expect that from a debut author! Wow, wow, wow...I cannot believe this Lally's first novel!! This book hooked me from the first page and did not let go. I loved every second, every twist, every turn. It was deliciously twisty and gave just enough to keep me thinking about until I picked it up again. This book will keep you awake at night!

In Megan Lally's debut novel, "That's Not My Name,' we meet Drew, whom is the boyfriend of Lola, a girl who has disappeared. Along side chapters set from Drew's perspective are chapters told by simply someone known as "Girl". It isn't until a few chapters in that we learn her name is "Mary". The story is told in alternating viewpoints between Drew and Mary. Drew is the prime suspect in his girlfriend's disappearance and Mary is struggling to remember who she is and whether she is truly Mary at all. The events that come after are a whirlwind of twists and turns that will delight any thriller fan.

I highly recommend this debut novel of Lally's and will definitely be on the lookout for more of her work in the future. Easily 5 ⭐!

I was provided a copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review. I want to thank NetGalley, the author, and publisher for this ARC.



****SPOILERS AHEAD*****


I loved every second of this book and could not put it down. The only negative remark that I can think of to make for this book was that the timeline didn't quite add up for me. The book makes mention that Lola was missing for 5 weeks and Drew and company began didn't want to believe that she was dead, so they hung onto hope she was alive which lead them to track her down. In Mary's world though, we only follow her for a short amount of time (less than a week). At the end of the book we learn that Lola was the girl taken before Mary and that she was murdered shortly after being abducted. What didn't add up for me was that Wayne always needed to have a girl to be his daughter, but Lola was missing for 5 weeks and Mary only accounted for not even one of those weeks. This left me very confused as to what happened in between the two girls.

Holy COW! Easily a 4.5/5 star read for me. I finished this book in a day.

I loved the POV from 'Mary', I could feel the frustration, the confusion, everything that she was feeling as we went into the timeline of the book.

Drews POV was very much needed as well. I loved him. He was such a good MC for this book.

The twist also left me SHOCKED. I thought I nailed the ending, but I was far from it, and so glad I was.

This is a must read if you love thrillers!

This book was a wild ride. It's been a couple of weeks and I still can't get over the ending. It's absolutely not what I was expecting! I'd highly recommend this book!

Content Warnings: murder, kidnapping, police incompetence, police harassment, blood, emetophobia, violence

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!

To describe this story in one word, I’d choose: clever. In this fast-paced, wicked debut, Megan Lally weaves together the points of view of “Mary” and Drew to tell the story of a missing girl and the lengths the people who love her would go to to bring her home.

When “Mary” wakes up on the side of a dark road covered in blood, she can’t remember her own name, let alone how she got there. She considers herself lucky when her worried father comes to pick her up from the police station and begins the gentle process of helping her regain her memory, but the more that she remembers, the less lucky she starts to feel.

Drew is the last person to see his girlfriend before she goes missing, and their entire town believes that he killed her. While the police search the woods and the river for her body, Drew still believes that she is alive, and he’ll stop at nothing to save her.

Reading this book feels like slowly submerging yourself in ice-cold water. The dread is so real and so physical that it’s pretty much impossible to put down. And just when you think you know what’s about to happen next, BAM! Your feet are knocked right out from under you in the best way.

This is one story I won’t forget for a while. If you enjoy young adult thrillers, you won’t regret picking up That’s Not My Name in January.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. That's Not My Name by Megan Lally will be released on January 2nd, 2024.

4 stars.

Imagine waking up and having no memories of who you are until a man claiming to be your father, documentation and all, arrives at the police station to bring you home. Imagine being suspected of your girlfriend's murder after she disappears. Told in alternating perspectives, That's Not My Name follows 'Girl' and Drew as they battle their respective issues, 'Girl' trying to figure out who she is, and Drew trying to clear his name of murder despite unhelpful police. Now combine the two - is 'Girl' the person Drew is looking for?

That's Not My Name dives immediately into the story, filling you in on background information as the story progresses. For the most part, you are given nothing to go off of as you try to figure out what is going on. Is 'Girl' really Mary? Is she Lola? Who can you trust when you have no memories of your own? Megan Lally does an excellent job of keeping the suspense high and the dread at the forefront of your mind throughout the story. I read this book in a single sitting because I just HAD to know the answers.

The writing is solid and the inclusion of minorities is pretty cool. I can't recall the last time I read a book with a main male character with two dads. My only complaint is that you kind of have to suspend reality during the story, but what book doesn't need that? Reading this as an adult, I rated the story 4 stars. If I had read this as a teenager it would have been 5 stars or higher.

Start the new year off right and pick up this book!

Disoriented and battered, a teen girl finds herself alone on the side of a mountain road with no memory of what happened or who she is. When her father comes to claim her, he starts filling her in on their life together, starting with her name, which is Mary. But something starts to feel off, and Mary finds herself questioning if her dad is telling her the whole truth...

That's all the summary I'm going to give because MAN this story was addictive!! I don't want to spoil anything with more detail. I binged this book in one sitting because the writing is smooth and fast-paced, plus I simply had to know what on earth was going on. I love YA thrillers because of their lightning-fast readability, and That's Not My Name was no exception. I did manage to guess at what was going on, but not until later in the story, and there were still plenty of pieces left for me to uncover.

Highly recommend this next time you're looking for a popcorn teen thriller! Thank you to Megan Lally, Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy.

I definitely thought I had this book figured out on a few occasions, but the plot twist at the end proved me wrong! I don’t think I fully realized this was *technically* a young adult psychological thriller until I started reading more, but that does explain some of the dialogue and the comedic relief that was used throughout. I wasn’t expecting the slight humorous edge, but I didn’t necessarily hate it. I feel as though this book could’ve been sliiightlyyy more thrilling/scary, but Drew’s chapters kinda took away from that spooky feel- which I think can definitely be needed for some readers, especially if this is in the YA genre! The last few chapters were definitely gory too. All in all, I thought this was good story that reminded me a lot of a lifetime true-crime style movie- and I LOVE those. I could totally see this translating well on screen! the dual POV kept things interesting, but I definitely preferred Mary’s chapters more.

Just when you think you have the story figured out, the plot twist takes you by surprise. THAT'S NOT MY NAME by Megan Lally is a fast-paced YA thriller you'll breeze through. The story is well-written with dual perspective, one of a teen girl who has lost her memory and the other of a boy who's looking for his missing girlfriend. Both the characters have convincing storylines and one which will make the reader root for them. I read this one quickly and would recommend it to the readers of YA thrillers.

Review: Oh My Gosh! This book was a ride! I just couldn’t stop reading it! From page one, my heart was pounding out of my chest! I stayed up WAY past my bedtime on a work night to finish it because I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep until I knew what happened at the end. This was the first thriller I’ve read in a while that was a nonstop thrill. There were no slow moments. The multiple POVs had you reading through quickly so you could get back to the other person. The ending…wow! What a twist! But I should have seen it coming as Lally laid all the clues out for you from the beginning! If you are a thriller lover like me, you need to pick up this book when it comes out on January 2nd, 2024. Thank you @sourcebooks and @netgalley for my advanced copy!!

A teenage girl wakes up, battered, and bruised with no memories. A passing police officer finds her and takes her in. When a man arrives, disheveled and concerned looking for his daughter Mary, the officer thinks he has her. The man provides documents showing the girl is his daughter Mary.

Drew thought he’d see Lola the next day after she slammed his car door and took off. He thought she just needed some time to cool down. Except she is not seen again and the whole town thinks Drew murdered her. To prove his innocence, he goes on a journey to find her.

I love reading YA thrillers and Horror books. I think they are so much fun, and just have a special something that I don’t always find in non-YA. As far as YA goes, this one is definitely for the older end of this age range as there was some pretty violent content. This one was a lot of fun and I absolutely enjoyed it. I thought the twist was well thought out and I didn’t see it coming, though looking back I can see the hints that were scattered along the way. This one was a lot of fun told through two different points of view. I love how they intersected and came together at the end. It kept me on the edge of my seat as I was reading it. The pacing was really well done, not overwhelmingly fast, but not slow either. As I read this one, I couldn’t believe that this was a debut novel. It was amazingly written, and full of lots of fun details and descriptions. It had a polished feel to it that you usually see with more mature authors.

If you are looking for a wonderfully compelling YA Thriller, then make sure you check this one out.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Fire, @sourcebooksfire and Netgalley, @netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Captivating Debut with Unpredictable Twists!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Megan Lally's "That's Not My Name..." is an absolute gem of a debut novel that had me hooked from the very beginning. I was genuinely surprised that this was a debut, as the storytelling and suspense were masterfully crafted.

The story kicks off with a bang, immediately drawing you into the mysterious world of Mary, a teenage girl with amnesia, set against the intriguing backdrop of Oregon. The strong start had me compelled to read more, and I would have finished it in one sitting if I hadn't started so late at night.

The alternating perspectives between Mary and Drew added an extra layer of intensity to the narrative. The tension in the story is palpable, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. I found myself eagerly anticipating each shift in perspective, wanting to know what was happening on both ends of the story.

The author skillfully weaves a tale of suspense, love, and desperation. The characters, especially the teenage protagonists, are well-developed and relatable. While some adult characters lacked depth, the focus on the younger characters made for an engaging read.

The epilogue is a poignant and intense conclusion that ties the narrative together beautifully. It left me emotionally invested and satisfied with the overall journey.

The major twist in the plot caught me completely off guard. The clues were cleverly scattered throughout the story, but I failed to pick up on them, making the revelation all the more impactful. It's a rarity to be genuinely shocked by a plot twist, and Lally pulled it off brilliantly.

The alternating points of view worked seamlessly, providing a comprehensive understanding of the characters' perspectives. The inclusion of sidekicks August and Mark added depth and humor, breaking the tension at crucial moments.

In conclusion, "That's Not My Name..." is a thrilling and well-crafted debut that keeps you guessing until the very end. Megan Lally has showcased her storytelling prowess, and I eagerly await her future works. Highly recommended for fans of suspenseful mysteries with unexpected twists!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks, for this ARC.

Before I start my review I would like to give a TW. This is not a book for the faint-hearted YA as it includes some violent content.

I don't read a lot of YA, as most of the time adults are just stupid and I can’t relate to that (as an old person 🤣) and in this book, it wasn't any different. I get the point that in YA it has to be about young adults, but I just don't understand why adults always have to be such idiots. That said, it was a very good read. It was fast-paced and I read it within a couple of hours. The characters were very well-built and I loved the world-building and details. As a vivid reader, it was a little predictable, but the author did a great job with twists and turns, so I found myself turning the pages as I wanted to know where the story would take me. The dual POV was very well done and gave the characters more depth. You definitely will feel engaged with both main characters (Drew & Mary). The epilogue was brilliantly done. Even though I’m probably not the targeted audience I enjoyed this clever fast-paced Thriller. An amazing debut by the author and looking forward to read more of her books. Very well done!

Megan Lally’s debut thriller That’s Not My Name was a very readable, if slightly predictable, page-turner thriller aimed at the teen market. Cold and bruised, a teenage girl wakes up on the side of a dirt road with no memory of how she got there and has no memory. Luckily a police car passes and taker her to the station, not long after, a man claiming to be her father arrives. He provides her school ID, her birth certificate, and even family photos, even though the police officer is suspicious he releases the girl to the man and That’s Not My Name if off and running. It’s weakness is the very obvious fact that nobody believes this guy is her father, however there is alot of fun to be had in piecing everything together and even if the direction the plot takes is by and large telegraphed, there are twists and turns in the road and things do not turn out quite as obvious as you think they might.

The manner in which Mary grapples with amnesia was one of the highlights of the book, her father tells her what her favourite clothes, food and colours are, and who is she to argue. The anxiety builds nicely as Mary (is that really her name?) begins to question her father and suspicions arise when all her supposed clothing are in the wrong size. Meanwhile, there is a second narrative seen from the point of view of a teenage boy called Drew whose girlfriend Lola has disappeared and he is suspected of killing her. The narratives are clearly connected but not just as obviously as you might think, however, the plot could have done with a few other twists and turns. That’s Not My Name was an enjoyable read, held the attention nicely with well-drawn characters and enough investment to see how everything was going to pan out. AGE RANGE 13+

"That's Not My Name" by Megan Lally is a gripping debut thriller that takes readers on a suspenseful journey as the protagonist grapples with amnesia, a mysterious disappearance, and the unraveling of a chilling mystery.

The story begins with a teen waking up on the side of a dirt road, disoriented and with no memory of her identity. A passing officer takes her to the police station, where a man claiming to be her father arrives with convincing evidence, including her school ID, birth certificate, and family photos. However, the girl, named Mary according to the man, has no recollection of her past life.

As the plot unfolds, Lola, the protagonist, confronts the mystery of her missing memories and struggles to trust the man who claims to be her father. Simultaneously, a parallel narrative follows Drew, who is implicated in Lola's disappearance. The town, including the sheriff and Drew's friends, believes he is responsible for Lola's vanishing act. Drew must navigate the increasing pressure and danger as he searches for Lola to prove his innocence.

The novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Lola's journey to uncover the truth about her past and Drew's desperate efforts to find her. The suspense is heightened by the uncertainty surrounding Lola's memories and the question of whether the man claiming to be her father can be trusted.

Megan Lally weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense, skillfully exploring themes of trust, identity, and the consequences of a mysterious disappearance. The novel is well-suited for fans of mystery and thrillers, offering a compelling narrative that keeps readers guessing until the final pages. "That's Not My Name" promises an engaging and suspenseful read, filled with twists and turns that will captivate fans of the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a fast-paced read told from multiple POVs. Who is the girl? Who is the father? You’ll have to read to find out the twist. I highly recommend this twisty tale. I think it will keep you interested from beginning to end.

4.5 stars. This book kept my attention throughout and I couldn’t wait to finish it! I would definitely recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book! It reminds me of my favorite writer, the Queen of Suspense, Mary Higgins Clark. I was on the edge of my seat and totally surprised!

Overall I enjoyed this novel and found it engaging and fast paced. I liked the dual perspective of Drew and the girl and the flow of the story. The pieces made sense and weren’t outlandish or rushed. The characters were clever and I was not expecting the twist at the end.

** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review**

The blurb was enough for me to request this book and I wasn't disappointed.

A girl found in a ditch, who remembers nothing.

A boy searching for his missing girlfriend.

Her memories slowly resurface and she comes to question the validity of the man who claims to be her father.

He is under suspicion and desperate to find the truth.

And the twist. What a twist. A proper jaw-dropping revelation and I LOVED it.

5/5. We'll be buying this for our school library. I already have kids excited to read it.

Her name is Mary. Her name is Lola. That's not my name....
She wakes up not knowing who she is but he says he is father. He has proof.
Megan does a wonderful job telling the story from multiple POVs. In the cabin and the one left behind. I enjoyed the twists. I enjoyed the writing, she does an amazing job of making you crave another chapter. This book is a quick read because you can't put it down. I was a little annoyed by the forced agenda. It is definitely geared towards YA in the sense that the adults are evil and kids are smarter. I'm interested to follow Megan's career and see what comes from her next. I know I'll add it to my TBR.
Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Lally & Sourcefire Booksfor this ARC. This book comes out January 2nd.