Sarina Bowen takes a bold departure from her usual romance-centric novels with The Five Year Lie, a gripping, suspenseful thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story revolves around Ariel Cafferty, a woman who thought she had already lost everything she once held dear, only to find her world turned upside down when she receives a shocking text from a man she believed was dead—Drew, the love of her life.

Set in motion by this startling message, Ariel embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about Drew’s disappearance. What follows is an intricate web of deception, mystery, and danger as Ariel confronts the lies she's been living with for years. Her investigation forces her to question everything she thought she knew about the past, including her relationship with Drew, the secrets surrounding his death, and the people she once trusted. Along the way, she discovers unsettling truths that threaten not only her peace of mind but the safety of her son as well.

The heart of The Five Year Lie is Ariel's journey of self-discovery as she grapples with the devastating realization that her entire life, including her son's future, might be based on a lie. Bowen masterfully weaves together elements of romance, suspense, and personal growth, keeping the pace tight and the stakes high. Ariel’s emotional complexity makes her an incredibly relatable protagonist—she’s a mother driven by love and fear, willing to go to great lengths to protect those she cares about, even when it means risking everything.

The book is a page-turner, with twists that will leave readers questioning their assumptions at every turn. Bowen delivers a perfect balance of tension and emotional depth, ensuring that even as the thriller elements intensify, the emotional resonance of Ariel’s journey remains central to the story.

3.5 stars. I absolutely love this author. I have read every book and every series. This book was not my favorite however. The premise was interesting and I like a good thriller/mystery book. It had good characters and all the right pieces. I just personally didn’t love some of the way things happened. Overall, good book and I would still recommend.

I thought this book had such a fun premise. A five-year-old text sends a woman on an unsettling investigation about her dead boyfriend's cryptic message. This is one of those books where it's best to go in pretty blind and just see where the story takes you!

The ending was satisfying and the reader isn't left with any frustrating loose ends, which I appreciate. While some suspension of belief is required, as usual, I enjoyed the reveals and how it all came together.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, and the author for the ARC of this book.

I loved this book. As a reader who particularly dislikes romance, I really did enjoy the love subplot to this thriller. Instead of competing with the mystery plot line it just strengthen my resolve to find out what happened and where Drew went.

I became super interested when realizing that Ariel’s family business may have influenced the disappearance of Drew. This is also an up-and-coming topic in society about how law-enforcement is allowed to tap into cameras: both public and private community knowledge.
The longer I read the more I realize I might actually like a dual point of view. The dual timelines between Drew and the past and Ariel in the present were very enjoyable for me to read. And I love a trope about there being more to meet the eye behind a husband, wife, boyfriend, family, member, or friend.

This was a super compelling read which I could not put down. It was easy to read and become very invested and Ariel and her confusion over getting a text from her ex five years after he disappeared. Reading in Drew’s perspective also made it hard to figure out how Drew is wrapped up in the potentially corrupt family business, since he seems like such a good guy. But who goes their girlfriend and then contacts her years later?

I loved The Last Thing He Told Me, so I was immediately interested in the Five Year Lie. And it completely lived up to my expectations. I will for sure pick up her next thriller.

As for my ratings :
Excitement level: 5
Ease of reading level: 5
Overall rating : 5

Entertaining domestic mystery thriller.

A woman whose boyfriend disappeared and then subsequently died receives a text message 5 years later asking her to meet him in the park they had frequented during their time together. Shocked but eager to see him again, Ariel Cafferty rushes to the location. But he never shows up. Ariel has never forgotten Drew and the explanation for the text has her doing a deep dive into everything she thought was true about their relationship, her relatives, and the family business.

This was fast paced and quite interesting as it involved the technology behind door cameras and the subsequent threats to privacy that they can create. Having access to the footage of those cameras can be used for good and also, as is discovered, for evil. As Ariel searches for the truth, she discovers more than she anticipated. She's been lied to and it's cost her everything.

I liked the main character and though some stereotypical trope friends gave me pause, the narrative played out as I expected with some surprises along the way. A bit of romance and a harrowing cross country bus trip kept me glued to the pages. The conclusion was a bit anticlimactic but anticipated.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. There were 3 narrators, a woman and two men. All did decent jobs for their related male and female spoken parts, but the voice for the child grated as did the instances where men spoke for women and vice versa. Overall, however, the production did enhance my appreciation of the book.

What a thriller!

This book had so many twists that I didn't see coming. The plot was original, and while I don't read a lot of thrillers, I am a fan of Sarina Bowen. And I think she can basically write anything.

Ariel Cafferty getting a text isn't unusual. But getting one from the only man she ever loved is. Because for the past five years, she's thought he's been dead. She goes to the place he tells her to, and of course, he's not there.

But getting that text changes everything for Ariel. She starts questioning what exactly happened to Drew. And not everyone is telling the truth.

A friendly coworker says he'll look into it for her. But can he be trusted?

All of this is bringing up the pain that Ariel went through long ago. But she wants answers.

I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Wow! I loved that this is different from the other books that I have read by Sarina Bowen. I absolutely could not turn the pages fast enough.

I highly recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Interesting story, who wouldn’t be weirded out by a text from someone you know to be dead. But before long you are wondering what’s true and who can be trusted!

Struggled with the middle, it was draggy and slow for me. Skimmed some.

Last 30% made it better!

Liked Ariel and loved her son Buzz. All the characters were written with real qualities on good and bad sides.

Mild romance that went well with the suspense.

Mention of F2F romance/relationship several times. Also abusive parental/marital things but none of this is in depth.

Definitely would read more by this author.

Thanks to netgalley for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a page-turner! I loved the multiple viewpoints. It was well-written and easy to follow. this was suspenseful and kept me interested.

LOVED this one! A total page turner, A little big of everything- intrigue, suspense, romance. Multi point of view, lots of shocking reveals.

Wow, I apologize that it took me this long to read this one, but I really enjoyed the suspense!

The last 50% of the book really had me hooked and wanting to keep reading to find out what happened. My only wish is that it wasn't quite so predictable.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and Sarina Bowen for the ARC!

This one was not for me, but I thought the story and writing were all these. Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher.

I thought this book was excellent. I ended up listening on audio and I was worried that it would fizzle out because of the length, but I was pleasantly surprised to be engaged the whole way through. It was twisty and suspenseful and everything wrapped up neatly at the end.

I live for a good thriller but I also crave a lot more mystery in my thrillers than what I’ve been finding lately, and a side of romance is always a bonus. The Five Year Lie was perfectly what I’ve been seeking.

The characters were fun to spend time with. There were so many people that could be guilty and it had me questioning right up until the end.

I’ve not yet read any of Sarina Bowen’s romance books—though I may have to seek them out—but for a debut thriller they’ve definitely made it on my list of authors to follow for the next release!

A fantastic thriller from an amazing author, Sarina Bowen. I love her romances and this was a wonderful addition.

A really great read overall. This story had multiple different viewpoints and jumped from different timelines, but it was easier to follow than I thought it was going to be.

I enjoyed Ariel and Drew/Jays story and how connected they are!

I enjoyed the love story tied in to the thriller/edge of your seat storyline. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something easy to read, but exciting and hopeful!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for giving me an ARC!

I've been a fan of Sarina Bowen for longer than I can remember so I was more than excited for this thriller adventure!

And. She. Did. Not. Disappoint.

We often talk of how a moment can change everything. In this case... a text changes everything.
Everything Ariel knew—everything she thought she knew—is altered.

I always find it hard to review a thriller or mystery as I don't want to reveal anything that might be a spoiler. Because we all know everything, every move, every line, has a purpose.

Sarina Bowen weaves a story that will pull you in and hold you close.

The Five Year Lie
By Sarina Bowen
Rating and Review 3⭐️

What would you do if five years after your ex suddenly disappeared, you received a text message from him out of the blue asking you to meet ASAP?
For Ariel, the message from her ex Drew upends her life and she soon finds that everything she thought she knew five years ago was wrong.
This was the first novel I’ve read by Sarina Bowen, a romance author, and this is her debut thriller. It did not disappoint. Smart, fresh, heart pounding, fast paced. I hope to see more thrillers from Ms. Bowen soon! 3⭐️

I want to thank Harper Perennials and Paperbacks and #NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.


Book Rating Key
⭐️ Not Recommended
⭐️⭐️ Readable Book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good Book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Excellent Book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Near Perfect Book
***Note*** I seldom give ⭐️or ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ratings. If I feel a book is a ⭐️sometimes I just prefer to not finish reading it and not rate it. As for 5 ⭐️books, I think of those as books I would want to take with me to a deserted island 🏝️, and this means I read a whole lot of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️star books. Happy Reading!

This book was a page turner from beginning to end. A daughter of a successful business man and his brother. She is the annoying office manager who always messes up. Then a new office worker arrives and they start to see eachother. To know one else’s knowledge of course. Then one day. He just leaves. There are unsuspecting occurrences with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. Honestly super loved the first 75% of the book. Without giving away what happens I was not disappointed how it ended but instead I will say the tone of the book at the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on September 9th, 2024. Links provided.

Ariel Cafferty thought she had moved on from the tragic loss of her first love, Drew, until a shocking text turns her world upside down. “Something happened. I need to see you,” it says, from Drew’s number, even though he’s been dead for five years. Unable to resist the pull of the past, Ariel rushes to the meeting spot, only to find herself alone and haunted by new doubts. As she digs deeper into Drew’s mysterious disappearance, dark secrets come to light, and Ariel realizes that everything she thought she knew might actually all be lies. With her own safety, and that of her son, at stake, she must unravel the truth before it catches up with her.

I quite enjoyed this book! I appreciated the duel perspectives/time-hop style of writing. I felt in doing so the author was able to provide the suspense needed to keep the storyline moving while also providing backstory/details to help the reader really understand the main characters, their relationship, and their motives. I found the idea of centering the drama around video privacy very intriguing and it definitely made me think about the reality of how so many people have private cameras in their homes and on their doors today and what would happen if the footage was found in the wrong hands. All in all, I would recommend The Five Year Lie to anyone who is looking for an interesting domestic thriller about questioning what you think you know, technological privacy, and a little splash of romance.

Thank you to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of The Five Year Lie in return for my honest review.