I absolutely love this author but this was my least favorite book of hers. I thought it was a little drawn out. The characters were well written, and the dynamics were interesting, but it just left me feeling like it was pretty flat overall. I kept waiting for more twists and the only one that surprised me was the ending.

I feel like this plot has been done before and overdone. It would have been more enjoyable if the characters were likable. Some of the story was over the top nad repetitive. i think this would appeal to some people, but not to me.

A Lovely Lie is a fun popcorn read that is filled with many unlikeable characters who are hiding a multitude of sins and lies. The story centres around Scarlett Russo an unhappily married woman who must deal with her traumatic past when the daughter of her former best friend Pepper starts asking questions about a long buried tragedy on Senior Picnic night of 1999. The lives of all involved will forever change once the lies are uncovered and the truth is revealed.

Read this if you enjoy:
-multiple POVs
-unlikeable characters
-dual timelines
-police interviews that help the story unfold
-hints of high school nostalgia
-twists and turns
-satisfying ending
-gaslighting and manipulation
-complex and frustrating characters

My rating 4 out of 5

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for this eARC that will be published May 28 2024

It was well written and great story. However I found it to be very drawn out and could have used more twists to help the story.

This book was the epitome of a popcorn thriller. I flew through this, finishing it in less than a day. It hooked me immediately and between the short chapters and changing POVs, I honestly could not put it down. The twists kept coming and while I predicted a couple of them, there's no way I could have predicted all of them. There are just so many secrets and lies, it's hard to know what really happened that fateful night of the senior picnic. It starts with Zoey looking for her father and ends with everything coming down and unraveling for those still around, 22 years after 2 fellow classmates are found dead in a tragic accident. If you love quick paced, domestic thrillers full of twists and turns that will give you whiplash...definitely make sure you pick this book up when it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penzler Publishing/Scarlet Suspense for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6307037719

A Lovely Lie is a mind bender the secrets, lies and manipulation run deep in a small Florida town and it all revolves around a group of really morally grey teenagers who manage to hide most of the truth from each other while still managing to protect and manipulate whoever they needed too when necessary to hide the truth of a deadly wreck that took the lives of two fellow classmates.

The story has mostly unlikeable characters for a variety of reasons but that shifts back and forth as more and more remorseless acts are revealed, making you wonder if justice can ever really be served. With the lies of one manipulative woman at the center of it all. I would say I’m shocked at how it plays out because it’s fairly unbelievable in the true details of how the night plays out. Mostly the actual accident because nobody has legs long enough to do that with a seatbelt on and one other passenger wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. But if you just look at it from the perspective of what happened it’s a sick twisted thriller with plenty of convoluted twists and turns. It was predictable but still a good read overall and I did enjoy it.

I never realized that there were so many homicidal high school seniors and killer college co-eds until I started reading ALL of the thrillers released over the past year or so! 😉

But, unfortunately-it has become an over used trope, and this is the latest.

1999: The night of their senior picnic (which is really the equivalent of a State Fair)

Scarlett Russo and her best friend Pepper were involved in a car accident that left two of their classmates dead.
(SEE the gorgeous book cover! )

When interviewed by Detective Logan, the day after the Picnic-they (and ALL of the other seniors) lied- protecting each other from the consequences.

Then Pepper left town and Scarlett never heard from her again.

Those interview transcripts are peppered throughout the book (pun intended), giving the book a very YA feel.
I couldn’t believe how smug and disrespectful they all were toward the Police.

Now: Twenty-two years later

Scarlett is now working in a hotel on the west coast of Florida and raising her teenage son with her husband. Nobody is more surprised than she is when Pepper’s daughter shows up with news of Pepper’s death.

Zoey is twenty-one and looking for answers after allegedly finding a cryptic letter from Pepper addressed to Scarlett that alludes to the events of that fateful evening-events which have been kept secret all of this time.

Zoey wants answers about what REALLY happened that night and WHO her father might be.

There are also chapters that share with us the conversation between mother and daughter that happened SIX WEEKS before Zoey showed up-setting the stage for the confrontation to come.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, with Zoey’s impolite actions and conversations also contributing to the YA feel of the book-which is NOT something that I PERSONALLY enjoy.

These are not likable people.

The format was fun, BUT unfortunately- for the most part -the plot was pretty PREDICTABLE.

If you don’t mind a YA feel, or if you only read an occasional thriller-you might enjoy this one more.

3 ⭐️

Scheduled publication date: May 28, 2024

Thank You to Scarlet for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.

Thank you NetGalley and Penzler Publishers/Scarlet for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've read all of Jaime's books and this one is my absolute favorite!! Move over "Finding Tessa," Pepper Wilson is here! I loved the alternating chapters between past/present Petter and Scarlett and also loved hearing from Zoey's POV. Their senior picnic brought back so many high school memories for me. I literally devoured this book in a day and a half--it's that good!! jaime really knows how to keep engaged and interested in what the characters are experiencing, and the suspense high. I HAD to know who Zoey's real father was. I had several theories going on in my head.
Thriller friends -- This book is a MUST READ!!

Really enjoyed A LOVELY LIE - a twisty tale with multiple POVs and timelines, but clearly distinguished and interwoven. The story kept me going and revealed new information slowly, and it all came together at the end in a satisfying manner.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for the opportunity to read and review A LOVELY LIE.

Sometimes you just need a read that grips you from the first chapter and takes you on a wild ride that’s all about a Lie.
As this story unfolds you find everyone has a secret if that’s from the past or present to protect either themselves or someone else.
This is the perfect book to get you out of a reading slump or if you just finished a very heavy read. This book was wildly entertaining and held a twist, no one saw coming. It definitely makes you look back on your youth and wonder who in your past would you lie for?

Jamie Lynn Hendricks is simply the best! I gave this one five stars because I promise you that you will not want to put this down! Ms Hendricks is a master mind at story telling! I could not figure out what was going to happen and I appreciate that in any story! You will not be able to put this one down!

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4 ⭐️
A LOVELY LIE
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: thriller
📖 305 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 🚘🚔😱🌴😅🧺🩸🛝✉️📰
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 5/28/2024

💜𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲💜

Thank you @thrillerbookloversthepulse & @jamielynnhendricks for the #gifted copy!

Thriller enthusiasts, buckle up for a wild ride! A LOVELY LIE kicks off with a bang, instantly hooking you into its web of intrigue. The multiple points of view, including detective interviews & past dialogues, add layers to the story, keeping you guessing. Just when you think you have it figured out, a jaw-dropping twist shakes everything up. There is a lot of suspense & motive from each character making it hard to know who to trust. The characters are complex & ever-evolving, challenging your perceptions & keeping you on your toes.

With a perfect balance of suspense & unpredictability, this thriller is a must-read for anyone who loves a good plot twist.
I enjoyed & appreciated that I couldn’t guess it all!

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ multiple POV
◽️ detective interviews
◽️ nostalgia
◽️ dual timeline
◽️ twists galore

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: 22 years after a tragic car accident, Scarlett Russo has built a new life with her husband & son in FL. But when Pepper's daughter, Zoey, appears with news of her mother's death & a cryptic letter, Scarlett's past resurfaces. Zoey, an aspiring investigative journalist, seeks answers about her mother's past, including her father's identity & the truth behind the accident. As Scarlett confronts buried secrets, the fragile peace she's built begins to unravel.

A Lovely Lie
5⭐️

This started as very average for me. At the 50% mark I got sucked in. Then it just kept getting better and better.

Part 1 is Scarlett’s POV. She’s keeping a secret from everyone regarding an incident that occurred the day after high school graduation. Her best friend, at the time, Pepper, is the only other person that knew what she knows. But now, 22 years later, Pepper’s 21 year old daughter, Zoey, shows up. She tells Scarlett that Pepper has died and Zoey’s on a mission to find out more about her senior year and who Zoey’s father may be. Scarlett’s attitude towards Zoey is horrible. She acts as if Zoey is blowing up her life when Zoey is innocent in all this and just wants answers. Maybe this is why I didn’t really like Part 1. Scarlett…ugh.

Part 2 switches to Zoey’s POV. I enjoyed her journalist-in-training mindset and her strong personality even when she’s being treated unfairly. I liked her waaaay more than Scarlett. At the half way mark of the book a couple bombshells are dropped.

Part 3 includes POV of just about everyone, past and present, as everything comes together. *chef’s kiss*

Thank you to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for providing this ARC. This review is being shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Pub Date 28 May 2024

Fast paced drama. Page turner filled with lies, deception, friendship and the usual high school drama flashbacks. This is a solid read, enjoyed every page. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

I don't even know how to feel about this story. It sucked. Every character sucked and had no redeeming qualities. The ending was disastrous and there was just so much missing from the plot that could've been expanded on had we not spent so much time listening to this idiot of a husband obsess over his hs gf who not only left him but cheated on him and used him and omg he's been married to his wife for 17 years you would think that would account for something but noooo he apparently can't let go of a relationship from two decades ago good lord.
Anyways I finished it and that's a feat in itself so that's why I gave it 3 stars because I'm sure some people will enjoy this as a drama filled light thriller read but extremely light on the thriller part.

Anyways thanks to the publisher for a copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The past/present timelines and multiple POVs converge to make a suspenseful, fast-paced thriller with shocking twists.!! Loved Scarlett’s sarcasm.

"A Lovely Lie" is a gripping novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The opening sentence offers a tantalizing glimpse into the suspense that awaits. Jamie Lynn Hendricks has a knack for crafting intricate tales that ensnare her readers from the very first page.

Scarlett and Pepper are best friends from high school who share a secret. The story is narrated in the present, with flashbacks to memories of that night and the dreadful accident. As you read, you'll be taken on a rollercoaster ride through haunting memories of the night that changed lives and its ripple effect on the present. The police interviews, conversations, and accident investigation all add to the intensity of this gripping thriller, making it a must-read for anyone who loves a good suspenseful story!

What makes this novel so compelling is the skillful way Hendricks weaves together different narrative threads. The flashbacks deepen our understanding of the characters and the events that led up to that night. This is a book that will keep you guessing until the very end.

#ALovelyLie #JaimeLynnHendricks #NetGalley #ThrillerBookLovers #ARC #HonestReview #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #bookworm #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #booktoker

Thank you @thrillerbookloversthepulse & @jaimelynnhendricksauthor for my complimentary copy. My thoughts are my own.

1999: High school best friends Scarlett and Pepper lie to the police about their involvement in an accident that leaves two of their classmates dead. Then, Pepper (who is also pregnant) moves to New York to have an abortion, and pursue an acting career. The two friends lose touch, and eventually, Scarlett marries Pepper’s old boyfriend.

Twenty-two years later, Pepper’s daughter, Zoey, shows up, bringing the news that Pepper is dead. Zoey also produces a disturbing letter that raises suspicions about the long ago accident. Soon, lots of long buried secrets surface, with major repercussions.

It took me awhile to get into this novel: the unlikable characters, coarse language, and pure selfishness took their toll on me as a reader. However, about halfway through, the action does pick up; and by the conclusion lots secrets and lies come to light with major repercussions.

Add this one to your May TBR if you enjoy stories with:
• Unlikable characters & selfish motives
• Secrets & lies
• Dual timelines & perspectives
• High school flashbacks

This book was sooooo good! I really liked it from the beginning to the end! This was my first read by Jaime Lynn Hendricks and it will not be my last! The book hooked me from the beginning and I didn’t lose it! I read it in one day! It’s got short chapters, dual timelines, and multiple point of views!

Scarlett and Pepper were inseparable as children and throughout high school. But there was a tragic accident where two classmates were killed, Pepper leaves town and they lose contact! Until, Pepper’s daughter shows up at Scarlett’s work looking for her father. As Scarlett and Zoey independently try to uncover her father’s name, the end up investigating the accident. Whose lies should they believe? This book takes dysfunctional relationships to the next level! I highly recommend this fast paced, twisty thriller!

Ooooh the deceit is rampant with this one! Initially, I did not like any of the characters, and one I really wanted to smack around. But then the story get going, evolving and twisting so much that I could not put it down without figuring out what happened. I even ended up liking a few of the characters, especially the one I wanted to smack 😅 𝗔 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗲 is based on toxic friendships and an accident turned murder that you do not want to miss. Thanks to Thriller Book Lover Promos and Penzler Publishers for my eARC. 𝗔 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗲 publishes 5/28.