It is not everyday that I can honestly say I really enjoyed a YA novel! But Megan Lally threw a curve ball at me and knocked it out of the park with this one! Well done! (Don't get all excited there were some things not so great)
First of all, great opening and well developed plot line! The whole time I was on edge and clawing to find out what would happen. A girl is found by the side of the road with no memory of who she is or how she got there. A policeman finds her and brings her back to the station when a man walks in and claims she is his daughter, Mary, he even has the documentation and papers to prove it. Hours away Drew a once golden boy has been accused of murder of his girlfriend, Lola--but, no body has been found. As Mary begins to adjust to her life with her father, she begins to question him, like why did he allow her to eat Strawberries when she is allergic? Drew is determined to find out what happened to his girlfriend, even though the more truth he reveals about what happened that night they got in a big fight the guiltier he looks!

Lally builds suspense and I for once enjoyed being inside the mind of a teenager (it made some of their dumb/immature "talk" and behaviors tolerable) as they navigated what was happening.
The ending was very satisfying and had me guessing until the big reveal, which shocked me!
There were some typical YA Book things you can expect which I do not think it is fair to count against the book as this is marketed towards teens:
-Teens being smarter than the cops
-Teens pulling off some pretty incredible things (Max getting the CCTV video from the diner)
-Adults acting stupid/bafoonish
-Edgy social choices
-Dumb motivations (Leaving your girlfriend on the side of the road because hse starts talking about getting married....come on "Dude")

One thing I cannot "Not" mentioned (that was complicated) I really disliked how the author continued to mentioned and normalize Drew's 2 dads. It was mentioned over and over again. I am not sure why she felt like she needed to include that in the book, it had nothing to do with the plot. Despite that I look forward to reading more by this author.

I will end on a good note: The pacing was fantastic! Perfect for a quick read that will have you invested the whole time---if you are a teen you will love it! If you are an adult, give it some grace and suspend belief a little and enjoy the ride.

Thank you Net Galley for this advanced copy listen of That's Not My Name. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for this honest review.

This book was SO GOOD! A great debut! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I just wanted to know the end and couldn't put it down. I can't wait to see what else Megan Lally puts out.

Thank you so much for the advance copy.

Thank you to NetGallery and RB Media for allowing me to read and review this advanced copy of That's Not My Name!

This book contains two main plots, Mary Boone recovering her memories and Drew trying to find his girlfriend, Lola. The narrators, Sophie Amoss and Robb Moreira, did an amazing job of keeping the story tense and atmospheric. Both perspectives were intense and kept me guessing at every reveal.

Since there are two plots, I think it's important to say that one plot does not overpower the other. Both are jam-packed with twists and turns. I will say that I liked Drew's storyline a little bit more than Mary's, but neither storyline ever became dull and hard to read. They work in tandem with each other with reveals being connected by the end of the book.

As many of the reviews have stated, I thought the book was going in one direction and the ending completely shocked me. This is one that I can say that I truly did not expect. And I loved it. I had so many theories lined up for each main character and ALL of them were wrong.

The description of the injuries at the end of the book made me super uncomfortable, which is something that is always welcomed in a thriller. However, I would advise younger audiences of this book to proceed with caution, as this book has some explicit content, particularly language and themes.

It is almost impossible for me to believe that this is a debut novel from author Megan Lally. I love the writing style and how she was able to keep me hooked from beginning to end, literally. I am super excited for her upcoming books coming in 2025 and 2026. Praise for her for making a YA thriller not feel like a conventional YA thriller.

I was thoroughly impressed with this YA thriller. I am usually not fond of YA but this is an exception. I loved the ending of this book because it was heart wrenching. It was a realistic ending that denied any fluff that YA’s usually carry. I loved the representation of guilt, true crime stories and how it can affect the people involved, and the need to rescue the people you love.

This was a gripping, shocking and hard to put down YA book that adults will enjoy as well. I thought I knew what was going to happen. I thought I knew everything. I was wrong, wrong, wrong! I love it when that happens.

A female teen wakes up battered and bruised on the side of the road. She had no idea who she was or what happened to her. A police officer takes her to the police station and soon a frantic man arrives claiming that she is his daughter, and he has the proof to back up his statement. He is permitted to take 'Mary' home with him. She is happy that her father has found her and hopes her memory will return.

Lola stormed off after an argument with her boyfriend, Drew. Lola was never seen again, and the entire town believes that Drew killed her. Drew desperately wants to find Lola. He feels guilty and responsible for her being upset and storming off. He wants to find her and clear his name.

Ooh la la, I enjoyed how the book is told through the POV's of Mary and Drew. I enjoyed both of their voices and knowing their thoughts. This was a very nice touch. Plus, I could feel their uncertainty, their doubt, their fear, and their hope that they would soon have answers as to what was happening.


I was fully invested in the plot from the very beginning. I had my theory as to what was going to happen, and I was wrong. I loved how Megan Lally pulled the wool over my eyes and shocked my socks off at the reveal.

I loved the tension and dread in this book. I was worried about the teens especially Mary. As things get closer to the ending, the suspense mounts and I didn't want to put this book down. I loved when the shocking reveal occurred. Holy Moly! Hats off to the author who wrote a riveting, hard to put down and shocking book! I have a feeling that this is only the begging and readers will enjoy more books by her in the future.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the two narrators did a fantastic job.

Well written, well thought out, gripping, hard to put down and shocking!

A twisty thriller that had me at the edge of my seat, wanting to know what happened next. I absolutely did not see the big twist coming. Fantastic narrators and wonderful in audiobook format!

Imagine waking up in a ditch, bruised and bloody, not remembering who you are or how you ended up there. Then, imagine a man coming forward as your father and taking you home, but you just can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. Literal nightmare fuel.

Or, imagine your girlfriend goes missing, and everyone’s so sure you had something to do with it. The sheriff won’t investigate other leads, so you set out to find your girlfriend and prove you didn’t have anything to do with it.

That’s Not My Name was amazing. I read a lot of middle-of-the-road thrillers and mysteries so far this year, so I’m glad one of my last reads (or, better to say, listens since it was an audiobook) was so phenomenal. The narration left me with such an uneasy, spooky feeling. All through the books, you get little hints of what’s to come, and I really loved seeing it all unfold.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book! The dual narration by a male and female voice in the audiobook enhanced the distinct perspectives, making the experience truly enjoyable. The captivating story held my attention effortlessly, and I couldn't resist listening non-stop. The convergence of two storylines in the end, coupled with an unexpected twist, elevated this read to excellence.

This book was definitely a page turner, I was hooked from the first chapter.

A teenage girl wakes up in a ditch, bruised and bleeding. A police officer finds her and takes her to the station, where later a man named Wayne comes in, frantically searching for his daughter. The girl has amnesia due to her injuries but Wayne provides photos and a birth certificate to show that she is his daughter.

Elsewhere in the state, Drew is continuing to search for his girlfriend, who went missing after they had an argument. He becomes the prime suspect and is desperate to find her.

I really liked all of the characters and couldn’t stop reading to find out what would happen.
The two storylines converge for an action-packed ending. There was more violence/blood than I was expecting but overall I really enjoyed this YA thriller.

The audiobook was very easy to listen to, I love when there are separate narrators for each POV.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Okay, this was so good?? The storyline wasn't necessarily groundbreaking, but the writing just sucks you in from the very beginning and the characters felt so real and genuine. I cried at the end?? I don't think I've shed tears from a thriller before, so that should indicate how emotionally invested I was in the plot and the characters. The dual POV narration was *so* well done, highly recommend the audio. Finished this in one sitting (on Christmas Eve lol).

This to me felt like a "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder", but a little more grown-up/intense. I loved it.

A clever story, anyone who loves reading mystery and thrillers should definitely get this book!

I enjoyed the plot so much. It's about a girl who wakes up on the side of the road and can't remember how she got there and who she is—I tell you when I read this in the blurb, I was already really excited and hit request right away.

The girl is taken to the police station and a man shows up claiming to be her dad, and he is able to provide documents proving that he actually is her dad.

While all this is happening, Drew from a nearby town is looking for his girlfriend, Lola. So, you see, right from the beginning of the book, it just sucks you in, and makes you just keep reading.

I was even more excited when I found out it was a debut novel, it's a really good one. Thank you for the advanced copy!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Clever mystery about a missing teen and her dedicated boyfriend who the local cop is convinced murdered her (although in reality he is dedicated to finding her alive.

Solid mystery with some terrifying twists and turns as the suspense builds to a fever pitch

That’s Not Ny Name by Megan Lally is a suspenseful young adult debut thriller. I was totally engaged in this story from the beginning to the end. I loved that there is an epilogue at the end that is heartfelt and emotional. While this book is considered YA, I think adults who enjoy mystery and thrillers will enjoy this book as well.

This book is told in dual POV and has a female (Sophie Amoss) and male narrator (Robb Moreira). The book deals with high school students and the narrator’s voices matched perfectly to the characters. I would be interested in listening to more audiobooks by these narrators.

I really enjoyed the plot in this story. It is about a girl who wakes up on the side of the road and can’t remember how she got there or who she is. She is taken to the police station by an officer who finds her on the side of the road. A man also shows up at the police station and says he is her dad. He is able to provide all the documents to prove she is his daughter Mary.

In a town nearby, Drew is looking for his girlfriend Lola. He is a suspect in her disappearance and he will do everything he can to find her.

It was interesting to listen to Mary’s perspective and see glimpses of memories coming back to her and her trying to piece things together.

This audiobook will be released on December 26, 2023. I will be leaving a review on Audible as well as Goodreads on the publication date.

I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future. Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced copy of this audiobook. I voluntarily listened to it and gave an honest review!

Wow. From the start of this book to the very end I was completely sucked in with the writing. It was eerie, suspenseful and the air of mystery held on strong throughout the entire story. This was a strong debut and I am so glad I got a chance to read this. Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

4.5⭐️

No, you’re not seeing things. I am actually giving a YA book 5 stars! Other than the main characters being teenagers, this read like an adult thriller to me. It avoided all of the major pitfalls that usually make me dislike the YA genre. I was hooked and could not stop reading from very early on. The characters are all well-developed and the slow burn as “Mary” starts to recover her memories was perfection. This is hands-down the best debut I have read all year! I think all thriller fans should pick this one up. The narrators did a great job. I cannot wait to see what this author does next!

That’s Not My Name was fully engrossing and finished in a day. Megan Lally is definitely going to be on my watch list. I enjoyed the plot and how it went in exactly the way the author was setting it up to go. The clues were there. I found some of the characters a little flat and hard to read at times. Still, I felt for them.

I love when debut authors write page-turners. I couldn't put this one down! I look forward to see what [author:Megan Lally|22753078] does in the future.

This book is being marketed as YA, and while appropriate as YA, adults will definitely enjoy this. It is told in dual POVs, and yes, both characters are teenagers, but it in no way "feels" YA.

You've got Drew, who is the police's #1 suspect in the disappearance of his girlfriend, Lola. Except Drew swears he had nothing to do with it. He is determined to find her since the police won't and starts his own investigation.

Then there is Mary, who woke up in a ditch with no memory. A police officer found her. While she was at the police station, her father showed up to file a missing person's report. Reunited and home, Mary is frustrated because while she has no memories, things feel off.

Sophie Amoss and Robb Moreira narrate the audiobook. I am glad two narrators were used for the two POVs. Other than that, I have nothing really to say. No complaints, but it didn't blow me away.

I listened at 1.75 speed.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars
I thought this was a great little thriller for the young adult (or adult) crowd. You have 2 storylines going on (teen point of view).
Storyline 1- Mary wakes up in a hospital without any memory of her life.
Storyline 2- Drew’s girlfriend, Lola, is missing and everyone thinks he’s responsible.

There isnt anything explicit in the book, sexual or gore. There is some profanity in it though. I’d say it’s a pretty safe read for the teen crowd.

I do think there were some unrealistic situations in the book, but if you can get past that, it’s a very engaging read.

I liked both narrators for this and thought they fit the age of the characters in the book.
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for this advanced reader copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Incredible. Couldn't put it down. Great characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook

3.75 stars

This is my first Megan Lally read, and it won't be the last.

Readers experience this narrative through simultaneous perspectives: Mary's and Drew's. When the former wakes up on the side of the road and has no idea who she is, she is found (not long after) by a man who says he's her father and her name is Mary. Since she has no memory of most aspects of her life, everyone is cautiously optimistic about this being true. However, a whole lot of weird things happen that suggest to both Mary and readers that she may not be Mary at all or, at least, that some sort of mischief is definitely afoot. Drew is in a similarly perplexing situation after his girlfriend, Lola, has gone missing, and he is the one at whom most of the suspicion is directed. Readers wonder about what the connection between Mary and Drew might be; there has to be a reason why both get such important roles, right?! Lally does a great job of feeding readers just enough detail to make us feel secure in that connection and then start wondering again, which does add to the mystery element.

I found this engaging, well devised, and twisty enough, and while I didn't love the ending, I will recommend this one to students looking for a solid YA mystery/thriller. The narration in the audiobook adds a lot to the characters, so this is my recommended medium, when and where accessible.