I loved the premise of this book! The podcast to get information from other people’s perspective was catchy. I also enjoyed Savvy being in Lucy’s head (but we didn’t know it was her until the story progressed). I liked the connection Lucy and Ben had and felt like their characters developed nicely. I LOVED the snarky grandma! The plot kept me interested, engaged and I definitely wanted to know who did it. I could have done without all of the infidelity in the book. I understand small towns and the choice of partners is limited, but the cheating left and right was a distraction to the overall story. The one hiccup for me was the ending. We learned who killed Savvy and justice was served, but it was just random? Like, why was he there, why did the husband never say anything and WHY did the parents believe the husband so quickly?? Overall, I liked this book! The ending just didn’t click for me. I believe this is the author’s debut adult book and I look forward to more titles by her!

This alternates between a pod cast and the voice of Lucy, a woman who might have killed her best friend Savvy, Did she? How reliable is she as a narrator about that night? Ben, who has decided to make a pod cast about that night clearly has his doubts, Lucy is fond of sarcasm and she conveys as younger than she is. She also makes arguable bad decisions. There's a twist so no spoilers from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read,

Very good plot following a murder investigation through a podcaster’s lens. Drama, romance, suspense all in one. Highly recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! One of the best books I’ve read this year! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of Listen for the Lie. There were so many things I loved about this book: a layered plot, fast pace, a tiny dash of humor, and a flawed main character who I could root for. The author was masterful in setting up the beats of the plot and I’m already looking forward to reading her next book!
I would highly recommend the audiobook to anyone wondering the best way to read this story. The narration was excellent and I think the audio version of this book is the best way to consume it! When I was reading the print copy, I found myself thinking about the audio (which I had listened to first).

This was a good read and I loved the addition of the podcast episodes between chapters! It took me a little while to get into, but once I hit the middle of the book, I couldn’t put it down. Everyone starts to seem suspicious and I can think of at least 5 characters who were my prime suspect at one point or another. I liked learning the different dynamics of friendship and everyone’s secrets that lead to a big finale. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance read at this one and I highly suggest you check it out once released on 3/5!

4.5/5⭐️
I absolutely flew through this book and really enjoyed it. I loved the idea of a true crime podcast interviewer digging up the details from people in the small town in order to help solve this cold case.

It kept me guessing throughout as there were so many suspicious characters with intertwined storylines. It was one of those books that kept you on your toes and just when you thought you had it figured out, another curveball was thrown your way. Definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to Celadon Books & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Grief, Blood, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic relationship, Death, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment, Vomit, Sexual content, Rape, Drug use, and Sexual assault

This is an immersive, fast-paced thriller! It has a snarky, darkly funny main character, a dysfunctional family, short chapters that end with cliffhangers demanding you read just one more chapter even late at night, and first person narration effectively alternating with podcast transcripts.

The plot tropes are not new but in this adult debut author’s hands, they are done very well. There are some good red herrings, morally grey characters and a good ending although there were a couple of things that were a bit over the top but this didn’t detract from how much I enjoyed this one.

This novel is getting a lot of attention and it’s the March GMA Book Club Pick - it’s well worth the buzz. An entertaining, fast-paced, addictive read! I can’t wait to see what this author does next!

Thanks to @celadonbooks and @netgalley for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

It’s a great day when I like a new thriller!

✅ Snarky and smart FMC
✅ No miscommunication trope!
✅ wonderfully done narration
✅ well formatted between the podcast and Lucy’s POV

I wish the storyline clicked better in my head (some things I really had to think about, but maybe it’s just because I’m perpetually tired lol), and I desperately wanted a different ending. But in the end I’d recommend it!!

I needed a quick paced thriller for vacation and that is exactly what I got! Tintera's dive into the adult thriller world is such a wild ride. I absolutely devoured this book and couldn't put it down.

I really liked the true crime podcast element because it didn't sensationalize the medium. Ben (the host) was very flawed and unethical so it made that part of the story interesting. Lucy (the lead) wasn't a likeable character, but that didn't matter to me. I think thriller readers will enjoy this title!

This story was great but the ending was so very violent. It should come with trigger warnings for domestic violence & violence against women. It’s a story that backs up the idea that every woman had had negative interactions with toxic men. Lucy was an amazing character & she definitely got the short end of the stick in a lot of ways. Her Grandma was fabulous & Lucy needed that since her parents were jerks. I was always Team Lucy which allowed me to like Ben as he was trying to solve the mystery. I enjoyed Ben and the alternating segments with the podcast which made the story so much better. I hope this isn’t a spoiler but when Lucy remembered what really happened that night with Savannah I was totally surprised, Wow! It was a bit hard to deal with Lucy’s murderous imaginings especially when it was so graphic but then when that surprise got revealed I didn’t see that coming either.

Thanks to NetGalley & Celadon Books for a copy of this book. It was great!

I absolutely loved this book and pretty much finished it in one sitting. The story centers on Lucy, whose best friend Savannah was murdered 5 years ago. While Lucy was never officially implicated, she has what some believe is very convenient amnesia from that night. Now a podcaster named Ben is trying to figure out what really happened, which draws her right back into the drama.

This was a great mystery and I kept changing my mind on who I thought was guilty. That being said, the thing that made me love the book so much was the characters. Lucy was great, Ben was great, Lucy’s grandma was great, and Savannah (in flashbacks) was great. The book was filled with dark humor that made me laugh out loud a couple times. The characters weren’t perfect but they were real, and they made this book; BUT the storyline in itself was really good too. I was sad when it ended and hope the author can find a reason to write a sequel.

I strongly recommend this book but warn you that you might not be able to put it down! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love mysteries, true crime, podcasts - all of it. And I can honestly say that this has been my most fun and engaging read of the year so far, and probably for a while! I spent an entire day by the pool on vacation and devoured this in essentially one sitting.

A true-crime podcast/mystery trope is totally interesting to me, but the characters are really what made this hit home for me. Lucy's direct and witty banter had me laughing out loud at times, and I really enjoyed her connection to Ben and both of their relationships with Lucy's grandmother. Plus I felt like I could totally picture the other people in the town, including Lucy's parents, and I felt like I was right in Texas with them. The mystery itself was fun to solve along with the podcast, and even Lucy herself who all along maintains that she has no idea what happened that night.

I really enjoyed this one overall and would highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun mystery to read in 2024! or later, of course. Get this one as it hits shelves in March! Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was INCREDIBLE. It was twisty, turny, and shockingly VERY funny. Albeit dark humor, but that's my brand!

Lucy was previously suspected of murdering her best friend Savvy. The only problem is she has no idea if she did or not. When a popular podcaster comes to town trying to solve the case, Lucy isn't sure she wants to help him and she's not sure she'll like what he finds. As Lucy and Ben dig deeper into Savvy's last night, her small town will be rocked by what they uncover.

Easily 5 stars and I wish I could read it again for the first time. SO good.

What a fun read.

Lucy & Savvy are best friends, but after a wild night out, at a mutual friend’s wedding, Lucy is found wandering down the road with a pretty severe head injury, covered in Savvy’s blood. When Savvy’s body is found, Lucy becomes the prime suspect, but she can’t remember anything from that night because of the head trauma she suffered. With no direct evidence linking her to the murder, Lucy is free to move on with her life, and flees from her childhood town, and the memories she can’t remember.
Five years later, a podcaster decides to focus on the unsolved crime, and Lucy is thrust back into the spotlight.
Told with alternating chapters from Lucy’s viewpoint and transcripts from the podcast, this thriller is a quick read with LOTS of shady characters. Literally everyone seems guilty and everyone has secrets they don’t want exposed. The ending, while somewhat a little too much, was quite shocking, and definitely not something I saw coming.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is definitely a must read for thriller fans.

A murder-mystery/dark comedy that I wanted to love and ending up just liking. It flowed well and kept my interest through short chapters and the interspersing of a true crime podcast. The podcast transcripts succeeded at breaking up the straight writing. I love and appreciate sarcasm but this MC was just obnoxious. I also found it a stretch the way the townspeople were all cheating on each other. It became excessive and unbelievable. I strongly disliked the voice speaking to her and found myself skimming those parts as they disrupted the flow.
Overall, I wanted to keep reading to see how the author revealed who did it. I will try this author again!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Love a good podcast book and this one did not disappoint. Loved the sense of humor of Lucy and of course her grandmother. This is the perfect spring break read at the beach or pool! Mix of everything here and all around fun read!

This book had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. I personally love true crime podcasts and after reading the description of this book I was immediately interested. The story, characters, writing, and the twists were amazing in my opinion. While reading this story, I found myself laughing at Lucy's humor and the things she would say. I loved how it kept me guessing each chapter after a new episode of the podcast was released on who could have killed Savvy and why. I have to say my favorite character was Lucy's grandma, Beverly. She is quite the character. I liked her from the start but I loved her by the end of the book. I liked how Lucy came across as a real person and not one of the stereotypical ones that is perfect, dumb, etc. She had her flaws but I could understand why she made some of the choices she did throughout the book and to me that is what really makes the reader form a connection to the character. I will definitely be recommending this book every chance I get when it officially comes out next week. I read in the acknowledgments that the author took two years to write this and I would just like to say to Amy - Well done! I'm glad you took your time with this story and put so much effort into getting it just right, bc it was amazing! I will definitely be keeping my out for more by this author in the future.

A very creative take on a podcast within a narrative novel. A best friend is murdered and the prime suspect must fight for her innocence.. A thrilling ride of a thriller!

Wow! That is all I have to say...WOW! I loved this book. I was held captive by the riveting mystery the entire time I was reading it. The characters are phenomenal and keep you guessing as to what is truly going on behind the walls of their homes. The small-town feel is fantastic. Everyone knows everyone and their business. There is no hiding in this small Texas town. They all know Lucy killed Savvy five years ago. There is just no proof. Now Listen for the Lie, a true crime podcast, has picked up on Savvy's murder. Bringing Lucy back to the forefront of everyone's minds. Even though she has moved to LA, she cannot find peace until she knows what happened the night her best friend was murdered.

Lucy's grandmother is begging her to come home for her 80th birthday. It is hard to say no to this fun-loving, gem of a woman. She finally gives in against her better judgement and heads back to Texas. Her parents are still awkward as hell and believe that their daughter was involved in Sassy's death. Lucy hightails it out of there and heads for her grandmothers cute, very pink, tiny home. You can tell that Lucy gets her love of sarcasm and wit from her. As Lucy ventures out into the town she once called home. She runs into Ben, the podcaster who is doing a deep dive into her and Savvy's life. She decides that it is time to find out the truth. To see if she can break through the amnesia and brain trauma, she suffered that horrible night and finally have some answers.

I am telling you the sarcasm had me hook, line, and sinker. Even though the story is dark, there are some lighthearted laugh out loud moments. I love how every person that Ben interviews has a different story than what they told the police. Making you wonder what in the heck is going on, as you spin around and around this crazy carousel. The ending was fantastic for me, and I was at the edge of my seat the entire time! Thank you to Amy Tintera and Celadon Books for my gifted copy of a book I will be recommending to everyone!

There is a reason this book holds such wide appeal! Or I should say multiple reasons. Not only is it a wonderfully written debut (how is this a debut 😱), an absolute page turned but Listen for the Lie has some of the most interesting, absolutely unforgettable characters I have ever come across. I think it’s just a matter of time till we see a movie/TV adaptation of Listen for the lie and I for one CANNOT WAIT! 🤩

Beverly, Lucy’s grandmother, stole the show for me. I hope I’m half as cool and fun as her when I get to be that age! Plus the format worked beautifully - a combination of Lucy’s first person narration and Ben’s podcast episodes about her/Savannah’s case. Probably the very first time I wished I could make audiobooks work for me - I’m sure podcast episodes were even more impactful via audio.

Read this if:
💜 you’re a fan of twisty plot lines
💜 you’re looking for a page-turner
💜 you enjoy element of comedy with your suspense
💜 you like MCs who are tough and prickly and just the right amount of emotionally messed up
💜 you like small town claustrophobia & gossip
💜 you are looking for your next unputdownable read

This book is such a treat and yes, it’s obvious you’ll be seeing it everywhere this year! It’s definitely going to end up on my list of favorites for 2024, no doubt about that!

Thank you to Celadon Books & NetGalley for my gifted ARC!