I have always enjoyed Amy Tintera's writing so I knew going into this I would have a good time. The podcast element of this book was really good and kept me interested throughout tons of chapters of the main character being like "everyone thinks I killed my best friend.... idk I might have..." and it made the story more interesting. This really reminded me of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and The Night Swim but it still had it's own twist to the "True Crime Podcast" storyline, which I was greatful for. I love an unreliable main character and I liked that Lucy herself had no idea what happened the night her friend was murdered. My biggest complaint is that Lucy's memories coming back happened really suddenly and it felt super unrealistic. Also fuck all the men in this book!!!!!

Thank you Celadon for providing me an advance copy of this book to read.

I initially took some time to get to this book, but it was definitely worth it. Generally, I find myself thoroughly enjoying books published by Celadon, and I'm grateful for all the advanced copies they’ve provided. If you enjoy thrillers and haven't added this book to your list yet, I highly recommend doing so.

The story is infused with humor, which made it all the more compelling. Once I sat down to read it, I found it hard to put down and was eager to see where the plot would go.

Lucy Chase, the protagonist, is living with her short-term boyfriend when her grandmother invites her to celebrate her birthday. Lucy left her hometown of Plumpton five years ago under a cloud of suspicion after being accused of murdering her best friend, Savvy. She has no memory of that fateful night, only that she was found wandering the road, covered in her own and Savvy’s blood. The evidence seemed to point to Lucy as the murderer, with scratches on Savvy’s arms and Lucy’s DNA under her fingernails. Convinced she might have killed her friend, Lucy has avoided returning to Plumpton, aware that the townspeople believe she's guilty.

Despite her reservations, Lucy eventually agrees to visit her grandmother. Meanwhile, Ben, a podcaster intrigued by Savvy’s murder, comes to Plumpton to feature the case on his show. With a little nudge from Lucy’s grandmother, Ben and Lucy cross paths at a diner. Reluctantly at first, Lucy agrees to work with Ben to uncover the truth about that night and find out if she really was the killer.

The book's twists and turns, coupled with its humorous undertones, kept me hooked until the very end. It was so engaging that I stayed up late to finish the last 20%.

This thriller follows our main character, Lucy. She's a thirty-something living in LA. She fled her hometown in Texas because she cannot remember (whether it be due to physical or emotional trauma) the night of another townsperson's wedding, which was also the night her best friend, Savvy was brutally beaten and murdered.

This had the potential to be a GREAT book for me, but in the end, I was kinda left thinking "wait, that's it?" I was a little bit let down. I did start to figure out the whodunnit aspect of the book around 85% of the way through and it shocked me at first, but the shock wore off fast. I think I needed there to be a little more from present-day Lucy for it to have the shock-factor I want in a thriller novel like this. This is one I don't really know how to give a more in-depth synopsis without giving too much away haha! It wasn't bad by any means, but I have read other books in this genre that I've enjoyed more.

I LOVED this book and read it in one sitting. If you like true crime podcasts, you will enjoy this book.

One thing about me is that I love a podcast style book so anytime I hear of one, I must read it. Please send me all the rec's because I may have missed some but in case you need more: Sadie, Six Stories, Truth Be Told (fka Are You Sleeping) these are just off the top of my head. There is something so immersive about a mixed media style book and they suck me right in every time. This one was fun because I really had no idea or theory of what had happened the night Lucy's friend Savanna was murdered. I let myself just enjoy the ride this time and I think I read the book in 3 days so let's just say it was hard to put down. Celadon crushed the marketing with this book too, and just like Sadie had a website, so does Listen for the Lie. https://celadonbooks.com/listen-for-the-lie/ If you need a fast summer read, definitely pick this one up!

This was a fantastic book. It had me on the edge of the edge of my seat the entire time. The intense twists of the mystery, interwoven with the complex realities of the human experience had me wrapped up in this story the moment I began. WOW. Incredible.

If you’re a true crime podcast aficionado like me, let me introduce you to my current obsession: “Listen for Lies.” Trust me when I say, this book deserves a spot on your reading list. As I’m nearing the end, I can assure you, it’s been an exhilarating ride packed with unexpected twists and turns.

Let’s rewind a bit and set the scene. We meet Lucy, our protagonist, amidst the chaos of losing her job and anticipating her boyfriend’s departure. But that’s just the beginning of her troubles. A damning podcast accuses her of murdering her high school best friend, Savannah. Determined to confront her past, Lucy reluctantly returns to her hometown in Plumpton, Texas, for her grandmother’s birthday celebration.

Upon her return, Lucy finds herself thrust into unexpected encounters, like the one at the local diner. Sent on an errand by her grandmother, Lucy walks into the diner only to come face to face with Ben, the host of the very podcast tarnishing her reputation. In that moment, she contemplates turning around, but something pulls her forward. After all, where’s the intrigue in avoiding conflict? I found Lucy’s interaction with Ben particularly intriguing. Could she trust him to tell her story fairly, or was he merely exploiting her for sensationalism?

As the plot thickens, so does the complexity of Lucy’s relationship with Ben. Their dynamic adds layers of tension and uncertainty, leaving readers guessing about Ben’s true intentions. Is he a neutral observer seeking the truth, or is he a puppet master pulling the strings of Lucy’s downfall? The answer to that question is a journey best experienced firsthand.

What sets “Listen for Lies” apart is its narrative structure, seamlessly blending Lucy’s perspective with podcast episodes featuring interviews with various characters. It’s a format that mirrors the immersive experience of listening to a true crime podcast, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they uncover the layers of deception shrouding Savannah’s murder.

But beneath the surface of this gripping tale lies a darker undercurrent. Lucy’s struggle with memory loss and the haunting voice in her head adds a psychological dimension to the story, heightening the stakes and deepening the mystery surrounding Savannah’s death.

However, it’s important to note that “Listen for Lies” isn’t for the faint of heart. The narrative delves into sensitive themes such as abusive relationships, infidelity, and violence. While these elements are integral to the plot, they’re handled with care, never veering into gratuitousness but rather serving to enrich the storytelling experience.

In conclusion, if you’re in search of a gripping narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end, “Listen for Lies” is a five-star masterpiece. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and atmospheric setting, it’s a book that demands to be devoured in one sitting. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the intrigue of “Listen for Lies” and prepare for a journey into the heart of suspense and deception. You won’t regret it.

Listen for the Lie focuses on Lucy, who has forgotten the events of her friend Savvy’s death five years ago, and is believed by most to have murdered her. A podcaster, Ben, comes along trying to piece the events together to hopefully find out what happened and who killed Savvy.

I immediately was pulled into this book. The humor, especially between Lucy and her grandma, was so fun to read. I found myself actually laughing out loud at times. I also enjoyed the added transcripts of podcast episodes, as it added a unique touch to the book. About halfway through, I did start to find myself losing interest in the book. I’m not sure if it was due to it reminding me of a YA book I read years ago that gave similar vibes, or if it was the start of a romance when I really just wanted to get to the bottom of it all. I did enjoy that I was not able predict the ending, which has been a recent issue for me with thrillers.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in true crime or thrillers.

Thanks to Celadon Books and Netgalley for an arc!

This book kept me reading because I wanted to solve the mystery, and I loved the Texas setting. Despite being a good suspense novel with short chapters and speedy pacing, I found the characters a little annoying. Because of the podcast element in this book, I think I would have liked it more on audio.

Amazing thriller with a touch of humor which isn't easy to pull off! Definitely an author I will look forward to reading what she put out next.

• In a small Texas town, Lucy is found wandering the streets covered in blood while her best friend’s body lies nearby. Despite insufficient evidence, the town believes she’s guilty of murder. Five years later, true-crime podcaster Ben Owens arrives, putting the spotlight back on Lucy as a suspect. As they investigate, sparks fly, and the truth unravels.

• The accusation, memory loss, and true-crime podcast angle create intrigue.

• Lucy is strong, prickly, and wronged; Ben is charming and relentless.

• The book balances suspense with humor and romance.

• Recommendation: If you’re a murder mystery fan seeking something non-depressing, this fun and twisty novel is worth a listen.

"What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter?"
Listen for the Lie is about Lucy and how everyone thinks she killed her best friend Savannah since Lucy was found wandering the streets in her blood but she also has no memory of what happened. Years later Ben Owens who has a podcast called Listen for the Lie comes to the town to investigate the unsolved murder. Lucy is forced to come home and face the life she left behind but also what happened to her best friend. This book was a page turner from beginning to end. The author did an amazing job writing this and all the characters in this book were so good. I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend this one to any reader who loves a good mystery. Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for this mystery in exchange of my honest review of Listen for the Lie.

I loved everything about this book! It captured my attention from page 1 and did not disappoint. I listened to the narrated version that was gifted to me and am so happy this was available as the narrators were excellent! I especially loved how parts of it were presented as if you were listening to a real podcast. The characters were well developed and the plot twist was so well done. 5/5 highly recommend! Mystery/thriller and True Crime fans, you will love this book!!

Such a fun, quick read. I loved the main character's tone and sarcasm. I read the ebook and also listened to the audiobook and would prefer the audiobook because I really enjoyed the style and how the podcast information was presented.

This was a solid read with an unreliable narrator, infidelity, murder mystery. Gave me vibes from similar books, A Good Girls' Guide to Murder and None of this is True.

FIve stars for the wit, enjoyment of reading, character development, and shock value with the twist.

Listen for the Lie is beloved. It just wasn't for me. The sarcasm was too forced for me to enjoy the book. The main character's killer internal monologue also didn't work for me. I appreciated the intricate mystery and the grandmother character though. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

SOLID FIVE STARS. Audio is the superior way to go, but nonetheless - must read. Kept me guessing till the end!

A lot of books are hopping on the podcast trend which I think is really fun. Listen for the Lie follows Lucy, a woman who was found walking in the street covered in her best friend's blood & has no recollection of the events that happened. Many people believe Lucy killed Savannah & Podcaster Ben Owen's reopens the case in hopes of solving the murder. The premise sounds interest but they lost me when the whole town was hooking up with each other.

This was easily the best thriller I've read in a few years. Amy Tintera took the podcast trope that's been common in thrillers lately and made it something completely fresh and exciting. I couldn't put this down and it kept me guessing until the reveal. I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. This was an enthralling book about a young woman named Lucy who is found early in the morning after a wedding covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood. She leaves her small town because everyone thinks she killed Savvy - even Lucy herself. It was a page-turner through and through because it made me want to know what really happened. I loved how the podcast is interwoven with the present narratives and relationships as well as the unraveling of the past. I would give it 4.5 stars and I highly recommend it.

Listen for the Lie was definitely a bingeable thriller. The opening line hooked me as it was funny, and the dry, dark humour carried throughout. Coupled with the podcast elements, this book was entertaining and an engaging read.
This was a solid thriller read and perfect for anyone looking to add a great book to their summer TBR!
Thank you Celadon Books for the copy through NetGalley.