Sarina Bowen at her best! My favorite books are the ones where she’s developed a realistic setting and a cast of characters that are well fleshed out and nuanced. This was done so incredibly well here, and I was immediately drawn in. I found myself opening my app to read whenever I had a spare moment- a sign I was truly immersed in the story. I was so invested in the main character finding out what had happened to her former lover and my heart was racing during the last 50 pages. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollis Publishers for my complimentary advanced reader copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

This was a wonderful book. I love how it was different from other thrillers with the 5 year time gap- super inventive!

My only gripe is that it felt slow up until the last 75-100 pages. I wish there were some ends with characters that were more nicely wrapped up so I could have better understood the why of the plot!

Really enjoyed this book! Kept me anticipating the next thing that was going to happen! I will definitely be looking for this authors next book!

What could shake your world more than getting a text from the love of your life, father of your child…. the man who died five years ago…. 😱😱

Living up to the expectations of a solid domestic thriller, this book begins by getting your heart pounding and knowing run-for-your-life fear is in the near future. Things slow down as the story begins to unfold. It took me a bit to get hooked, but the further I delved into the mystery, the more invested I became. The character development was superb! From Ariel’s sarcastic banter to the adorable innocence of sweet 4 year old Buzz, it was impossible not to fall in love with these characters.

Is Drew actually alive? Why did he leave her behind? And why are people around her dying? These are all burning questions that keep you flipping the pages begging for answers as the chapter alternate between a dual POV & timeline. While not as unpredictably twisty as some thrillers, the unique storyline and perfectly crafted characters kept you hooked until the very end.

A well deserved 4.25 ⭐️ Very much worth the read!! 👏 I look forward to checking out more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Perennial for the opportunity to read this outstanding digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

A text message from five years ago - can you imagine how that could change your life?

The Five Year Lie starts with a bang. Instantly sucked in and aware that this book is going to hit some of *my* greatest fears.

There were a few areas where it seemed to move a little slow and several areas where I was SURE I knew what was going on (I was wrong). The book kept me guessing and the conclusion was all I could hope for.

I loved the characters and friendships that were shown - I wish the book had been a little bit longer so that we could have seen more interactions between certain characters.

Overall, I loved this book.

I was excited to get this one! I will say I thought I had who did what down but then about 70% in it twists to something entirely else and I was genuinely surprised. Larri and Zain were my favorites in this. Also LOL'd at always asking Buzz to wash his hands because I am also a parent. I am definitely looking forward to more books from this author! Thank you for the ARC.

Dead men don’t send texts…
For fans of Laura Dave and Julie Clark, but with a heart-stopping romance that only Sarina Bowen can execute, The Five Year Lie is a page-turning, spine-tingling thriller that will have you guessing until the very end.’

The “page-turning” part was true for me up until the 40-45% mark, then everything floundered. Or maybe it was me that floundered...
The “guessing until the very end”… not so much. I didn’t find the ending very surprising.

While there’s no shortage of mystery & thriller here with a love story inexplicably cut short, peculiar deaths, identity theft, a wealthy, shady af business, lots of techy stuff, invasive doorbell cameras abound & a pack of dirty cops surrounding a seemingly wild conspiracy.…there was a shortage of plausibility, at least there was for me. Some parts of the story seemed stretchy. Character development was fair but I was definitely missing those connections I crave so much when delving into a story about other people’s lives, even fictional ones…

That said, I’d still recommend this because I do think plenty of thriller lovers will enjoy this chaotic ride!

This is my first by Bowen and even though it was just okay for me, I do intend to read more of her work.

Thank you NetGalley & Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 5.7.24

Five years after the love of her life and father of her son dies, Ariel gets a text from him asking to meet her in an hour. When Drew is a no show, Ariel delves into what happened to him and the secrets he was keeping.

This is a fast-paced thriller that alternates timelines allowing the reader to learn what really happened all those years ago. The characters were interesting and well developed. I really enjoyed Ariel and watching her as the story unfolded. I enjoyed the romance element because it felt natural rather than forced or trite. I gave up trying to solve or guess the twists and endings but I don't think I would have worked out either if I'd tried!

This was my first Sarina Bowen book but I don't think it will be my last.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the advanced copy!

Ariel is a single mom to her 4 year old son Buzz who works for her family’s doorbell camera company in Portland, Maine. Her biggest worry is forgetting about the 10 watermelons for the preschool picnic. That is until she receives a loaded text message from the father of her son who disappeared 5 years ago. The eerie part? He died shortly after he left town. What made him leave so abruptly? While uncovering the mystery about who “Drew Miller” really was, with the assistance of a computer genius coworker, they soon realize things aren’t what they seem to be. Will Ariel find out what really happened to Drew without putting herself & son into harms way? Who can she truly trust? It seems as though she’ll stop at nothing to find out.

WOW. I was immediately sucked into this book Sarina Bowen’s writing style hooked me immediately. I thoroughly enjoyed the past/present timeline & liked seeing the POV from numerous characters at times. Is Drew the bad guy? Had he uncovered a deadly truth? Was he in trouble? Did he feel the same way about Ariel as she did about him? While reading about the summer they spent together before his sudden disappearance, I wanted to believe he did. I loved how this thriller also read as a romance at times. The perfect mix of my favorite genres. I found myself rooting for Ariel & unlike most thrillers this moved me to tears at times. I do feel that it wrapped up pretty quickly but I throughly enjoyed the story. It kept me up as I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Perennial & Sarina Bowen for this advanced copy of The Five Year Lie ahead of its May 7th release date. I absolutely loved it!

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

actually obsessed! I am highly recommending this to everybody I know. I think it will be very popular amongst book clubs!

I am a huge Sarina Bowen fan so I was looking forward to seeing how The Five Year Lie was going to turn out. This is her first book marrying a love story with a thriller and I have to say I was not sure what to expect, but it was so much fun! Ariel, the main character, is left by the love of her life (Drew) with a baby named Buzz. She knows no reason for why he left and is heartbroken. Drew's obituary pops up a bit later and you can now add on grief -stricken to her list of feelings. She has so many questions and no answers! Five years later Ariel receives a text from who she believes is Drew. The text asks her to meet urgently. What follows is a story that is entertaining. It is hard to review this one without giving anything away, but I will say that I would definitely recommend this and if you are a Sarina Bowen fan and are asking yourself if she can move into writing thrillers - the answer is yes! @netgalley

That was a ride!
A tale of secrets, second chances, and the complexities of love. The characters are so well-crafted, drawing you into their world effortlessly. Great world-building and a perfect blend of romance and suspense that keeps you guessing till the end.

I really enjoyed this read! It was fast-paced and had me craving more with each chapter. I loved the back and forth timelines. There weren’t a ton of twists but I still enjoyed this book. It was very intense at points and had me a in a choke hold! The author made me question so many things while reading and I love that in a book. It all came together nicely in the end. Great plot, likable characters…I will read more from this author!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is definitely a page turner! I think readers will enjoy the suspense they’re thrown into once Ariel receives the text from Drew. It’s hard to discuss plot points without giving away spoilers, but I feel this is one that readers will enjoy if they like unraveling a mystery that keeps you turning the pages until the very end! A gripping and very enjoyable read! Thank you to Harper Perennial and Paperback, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Full review to come... I need to marinate in all my thoughts because I have so many.


UPDATE:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


This book is hands down Sarina Bowen’s best work.. ever!! And that's no small compliment because I've read most of her books and enjoyed them all.

I hope with all my heart that this is a new creative outlet of thriller/suspense, and we'll get more books in this genre in the future!

I could tell by how the story flowed so much research was put into this book.
I loved every single thing about this book!!!

Thought provoking.... great conversation starter regarding the concept of this book..

⭐️This will be my next book rec for my mom's book club!!

Best ending because I honestly didn't know how it would play out until the absolute end!!

Bravo Sarina for making me paranoid enough to rethink the 'helpful ' tech in my house. I've never wanted more than to go back to pre-smart phones era and all the other advancements that have taken advantage our societal complacency in the name of convenience.

Pardon me while I go disable EVERYTHING!

While reading The Five Year Lie, I went back and forth on how I felt about it. I loved the beginning, it sucked me right in and I was curious how the story would play out. As I started to put together the direction I thought the story was going to go in and who was behind everything, parts of the book dragged a little bit for me and I felt like they were stretched out to get to the conclusion. But, once I started the final quarter of the book, the action picked back up again and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough.

I liked the mix of the past and present throughout the book and the different points of view that were offered in the chapters. Domestic thrillers are one of my favorite in the genres and this mixed in some romantic suspense which was a nice added bonus. If you enjoyed The Last Thing He Told Me, definitely add this one to your TBR, and I think this book would make an excellent movie.

This is yet another book that is hard to review, because the synopsis tells us very little about the story itself. Everything else is in spoiler territory, because this book is crazy - in the best way possible!

Ariel and Drew met one summer at work, where she was the disinterested nepotism baby and he was a programmer. Ariel’s father and uncle are co-owners of Chime Co. (basically, Ring doorbells), and while her passion is glassmaking, she works there part time to appease her family. She and Drew started an immediate and passionate relationship, that ended with Drew leaving town and ghosting her. It also left her with a son, Buzz.

Ariel was heartbroken when Drew left out of nowhere, and she tried to find him many times, but it was almost like he didn’t exist. Finally, something about him pops up online. His obituary. The only man she ever loved is dead, never even knowing that he was a father. Her grief is compounded by the death of her own father - they were never close, but the two deaths combined leave her depressed and reeling.

Five years later, we are in the present. Ariel is living in her mother’s guesthouse with Buzz, still blowing glass and occasionally working at Chime Co. Her mom is marrying Ariel’s uncle (yes it’s weird), so the business will eventually be hers one day (whether she wants it or not). It’s during a meeting when she gets that text from Drew, begging her to meet under a candelabra tree because he needed to urgently speak with her. She runs to the tree, but nobody ever shows up. She calls the number, but it’s not in service. Someone has to be playing a terrible prank, but who would do that to her?

The reason for this text appearing is SO GOOD, but I don’t want to ruin anything so you’ll just have to read about it yourself! After Ariel receives it, she starts thinking back to that summer five years prior. That thinking leads to digging, then the digging puts her in a tailspin. With help from a trusted coworker, she soon realizes that she knew nothing about this man, the father of her child. She also knew nothing about how her family’s business was actually run…

This was not a short book, but it was definitely a fast read. We get dueling chapters that bounce between the past and present seamlessly, and quite an original story filled with thrills, chills, and lost love. The entire book was suspenseful, and the ending was the perfect action-packed closure for these characters. I give this one 4.5 stars and my definite recommendation!

(Thank you to Harper Perennial and Paperback, Sarina Bowen and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on May 7, 2024.)

Imagine receiving a text message from the love of your life who you thought was dead. This sends our main character on a hunt for the truth only to unravel a dark web of secrets. The Fiver Year Lie captivated me from the first page. The story is suspenseful and fast paced with love, murder, and revenge masterfully woven into the storyline. The story alternates between the present and five years ago revealing more and more as the story goes on. I would highly recommend this one!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Paperbacks for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 STARS for THE FIVE YEAR LIE by SARINA BOWEN

I have to say that this book started off with a bang! It takes off from page one at runaway speed and never slows down.i loved the character development for both Ariel and Drew. There was a feeling of not knowing what was going on and not wanting to stop reading because you want to know where the author is going with the story. There was no dead area in this book and it was amazing. This book mixed a thriller with a romance which was a first for me but it was very well done. You won't want to stop reading this until you get to the bottom of the mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!