"𝑵𝒐𝒘, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔, 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑹𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒌."

Special thanks to @thrillerbookloverspromotions @jaimelynnhendricksauthor @penzlerpub and @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

➡️ swipe for synopsis 👉🏼

MY REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is WOW!
A deliciously unputdownable thriller! Each chapter leaves you craving more and will definitely keep you up past your bedtime.

I love Jaime's writing style! But the dual timelines, the multiple POVs , and the hints of "mixed media interviews" just make this book perfection.

Everyone has a secret. But whose is the ultimate secret? 🤔

PUB DATE:
OUT NOW!

QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️ Do you still talk to anyone you went to high school with?

.
.
.

#mysteryandthrills #thrillerbooklovers #thrillerlover #booklover #thrilleraddict #bookaddict #bookcommunity #bookbuzz #tbrpile #tbr #newrelease #brandnewthriller #jaimelynnhendricks #alovelylie
.

This had plenty of suspense to create a fun thriller that moves at a pretty good pace. If you like unlikable characters in your thrillers, this is a good choice.

One complaint is that the conversations and dialogue, especially the police interview portions, felt awkward at times and were not always convincing on how teens talk and made me cringe a bit. Other than that, the writing was fine and the easy to binge like any popcorn thriller should be. 👍🏻

This book is pretty good! I enjoyed the story line and it is well written and has good character development. It’s suspenseful with juicy drama!

The pacing was a little off for me. I understand building suspense but I felt the pacing of the revelation of information was slow. I got to the point where I was irritated that so many questions were in the air and not one nugget of information was given until 75% of the way through the book. I know it’s meant to keep the reader hooked, but it made me want to just give up because I felt like I was never going to get any answers. Eventually everything was revealed but it took too long to get there, in my opinion.

I also felt like the twists in this book were very, very predictable. They were decent twists but I guessed every one of them, so that was a bit disappointing.

Half of the characters were irredeemably HORRIBLE but luckily some of them were genuinely good, and we saw some characters become better people and that’s always nice to see.

Overall, I did enjoy this thriller. It has good entertainment value and a compelling plot.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penzler Publishers, and Thriller Lovers Book Promotions for the opportunity to read this advance copy and participate in a blog tour to promote this book!

Thank you to my partners, Thriller Book Lovers Promotion, Scarlet Suspense, and NetGalley, and the author. I appreciate the gifted eARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 - Right outta the gates, the reader is smacked with an eye-opening wow moment! And the surprises just keep coming as the story unfolds!

2. 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 - Scarlett and Zoey sure have a great deal of family drama in their separate lives and their connected lives as everything begins to take shape. Good grief…it is just a whirlwind.

3. 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲 - Herein lies a great deal of of mystery. Between the search for a father and the search for the truth of the accident, my mind was reeling from one possibility to the next!

4. 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐦 - Pepper shows this trait from early on in her life up until the end of the story. Every detail that emerges just shows it more and more. A despicable character.

5. 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 - I read this so quickly. If I didn’t have to do a few adult duties throughout the hours, I would call it a one-sitting read! I just had to keep turning the pages to see what new surprise was awaiting me!

Oh. My. God. With methodical plotting, dynamite characters, and a whole pile of delicious secrets, A Lovely Lie was one heck of an epic rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. What got me the most, however, was the fast pace and intricate plot. Alternating between multiple POVs and dual timelines, it was clear that Hendricks must have had a spreadsheet to keep track of who knew what when. Through her masterful writing, I was over the moon as I happily learned all about what happened twenty-two years ago as it slowly imploded before me.

The cast of characters was simply divine. Between several I loved to hate and a few that had utterly perfect character arcs, their relationships and secrets were like a game of telephone unraveling. From their dysfunctional and toxic high school dynamics to the broken wreckage that resulted thanks to past, I got sucked into each of their personas. Well-developed and clearly formed, they all came alive before my very eyes. Granted, a few had slightly over-the-top, melodramatic behavior, but for characters still stuck in their teenage identities, even that fit the bill to a tee.

As for the best part of this sublime tale of domestic suspense, the twists and turns certainly took the lead in a very packed list. Each delivered in a subtle but perfectly timed way, they took the plot I suspected and morphed it into one that was truly unguessable. So much so, in fact, that I gave each and every character the side-eye as I looked on them with suspicion. After all, they each had their own motives and, as their lies and betrayals were unearthed, I simply held on for dear life. Already a huge fan of Ms. Hendricks, it was no surprise that this book was a slam dunk from the very first word until the very last. I mean, I finished it in one sitting. If that doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what will. So pre-order this puppy today. You definitely won’t regret it. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Jaime Lynn Hendricks, Penzler Publishing/Scarlet Suspense, NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

A high school 'accident' is at the center of adults pasts. Lots of secrets that the daughter of one of the women is compelled to explore as she seeks the identity of her dad. Many surprises and twists...even at the last words in the book!

Scarlett and Pepper were the closest of friends in high school. After graduation, a party ended with 2 of their classmates dead and they are they only two who know what really happened. They swore never to tell anyone. Pepper leaves town, Scarlett stays. The years go by, Scarlett marries and has a child by Vince who used to be Pepper's boyfriend before she left town and Scarlett has wondered what would have happened if Scarlett had stayed as Vince is not the most faithful of hubbies.

21 years later, Zoey comes to town and announces that she is Pepper's daughter, the one Pepper was pregnant with when she graduated from high school and Zoey wants to find her father. Everyone gets involved as Zoey will not stop with mere denials from Scarlett and Vince.

The drama is over the top at times, but the storyline was interesting, though repetitive as to what had happened the night of the accident. I did skip to the end when over 60% through the book as I was tired of the drama.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and freely given.

This was a book full of unreliable narrators telling the story in a dual timeline. I honestly was not a fan of most characters early on, but at least one ended up being a lot more likable by the end of the book. Despite the early unlikable-ness, this book kept me reading to see how everything unfolded and yet another reason why to never give up on a book early. Thanks to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I started this one and could not put it down!

I adore a dual timeline, especially one that is present day adults and the other flashes back to high school age.

Pepper and Scarlett were high school besties. So were Vince and Chris. They lives, then and now, are tangled more than even they are aware. Scarlett and Vince are married with a teenage son. Chris and Vince own a business together. And Pepper isn't currently in the picture. However, Pepper and Vince were the IT couple in high school. And Chris and Scarlett had a brief fling.

But something happened on the night of their big senior shindig that would change all of their lives forever. And they all hold some secrets and lies about that night.

Scarlett works at a local resort. A young woman comes in one day to stay there, and strikes up a conversation with Scarlett. She is Pepper's daughter and is looking for answers. And her father! And what a whirlwind the story is from here - both present day and flashbacks.

At first I really disliked all of the characters. And you definitely didn't know who was telling the truth. As the story went on, my heart did go out to Scarlett.

I enjoyed as the story unraveled and it even had some twist that surprised me! Definitely recommend this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penzler Publishers/Scarlet, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and allowing me to be a part of this tour!

Book Title: A Lovely Lie
Author: Jaime Lynn Hendricks
Publisher: Penzier Publishers- Scarlet
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
My Rating: 3

The story is told in past 1999 and present by multiple POV.
.
It is 1999 and the night of the senor picnic - two innocent students. Chloe Michaels, who was drunk driving, hit Julian Ackers - both died. It was considered an accident, However Scarlett and Pepper high school besties, witnessed the accident and vow to share a lovely lie all the way to their graves.
Now twenty-two years later Pepper has a daughter Zoey – no mentioned of Dad.
Back in high school Pepper dated Vince now he is married to Scarlett - they have a son Luke. But does Vince still love Pepper?
Did I mention we don’t know Zoey’s father?

I read Jaime Lynn Hendricks novel " Finding Tessa" and totally loved it! So was looking forward to this story.

There are many unlikeable characters in this story. I believe it depends on your mood if you love or hate this story.
Have to admit I didn’t enjoy it but didn’t hated it so gave it 3 meh stars.

Want to thank NetGalley and Penzier Publishing – Scarlet for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 28, 2024.

A Lovely Lie grabbed me from page 1 and didn’t want to let go! I didn’t want to put it down. As the story unfolds, I feel like I’m watching yet another scandalous Lifetime Mystery movie/series. Seriously, almost every book I’ve picked up this year reads that way! This story is told in dual timelines. Before and after a senior picnic/party in 1999, and the present. It is also told from different perspectives. With some police interview transcripts which is a nice touch. Love it! Everyone in this book seems to be lying and hiding something! This book is full of twists and turns.

I kept hearing about this author, but I never seemed to read her so I jumped at the chance to read this one. And the title does say it all. A domestic suspense built around secrets and lies.

This one comes down to would you rather know the ugly truth or a lovely lie? Scarlet and Vince, high school classmates, are married with a son. Scarlet and Pepper, Vince’s high school girlfriend, know something about an accident that happened all those years ago. Told in the present and on that fateful night, the story slowly shows what happened all those years ago and exposes all those lovely lies. And everyone in the story has their share of them.

I spent much of the book trying to guess what might have happened all those years ago. The book is interspersed with calls, conversations and police interrogations surrounding the accident that help the reader piece together the full picture. And it takes until the last chapter to get to that truth. Every time I thought I had it all together, there was a wicked twist that changed my mind.

So many unlikable characters had me wondering if any of them were trustworthy. I binged this one. It definitely lived up to the hype and I can’t wait to read another one of the author’s books.

You need to add this to your summer reading tbr.

From the very start, I found myself enveloped in a tender sadness, sensing the profound transformation awaiting within the story's pages. The exploration of deceit struck a deep chord within me, resonating with the emotions of my heart, regardless of my age. As I journeyed through each chapter, my heart swelled with compassion, feeling the weight of every lie and its impact on the characters.

With each revelation, tears welled in my eyes, mingling with the bittersweet realization that truth, though painful, ultimately sets us free. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, I found solace in the bonds forged between the characters, their resilience shining through the darkest moments.

In the end, as I closed the book, I felt a sense of closure, touched by the enduring power of love and honesty. While it may be just a story, its ability to evoke such deep emotions speaks to its profound impact on me.

I love stories that jump between past and present. Especially when going back to the past reveals what really happened. This is pretty much what A Lovely Lie is about. Many and I repeat many unlikeable characters are living with lies they’ve told other and themselves. I was excited to read this book and it started out great. Once I began to see more of the characters unfold, some of them were just so terrible I felt disconnected from the story. I don’t regret reading A Lovely Lie, but it won’t be on my list of favorites. I’d still recommend it to others though. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

A digital copy of this book was provided to me by Thriller Book Lovers Promotions. The opinions are my own and freely given.

Pepper and Scarlett were the best of friends all thru middle school and high school. The day after graduation a terrible accident tore them apart. Only Scarlett knew Pepper was pregnant when she up and moved to New York. Twenty plus years later, Pepper's daughter, Zoey, blows into looking for the identity of her father.

This book had all the turns that we expect from Jaime Lynn Hendricks and then some. To learning the identity of the dad, what really caused the accident and whose relationships can withstand the years.

This is told in parts. Part 1 from Scarlett's POV, Part 2 from Zoey's. There are also flashback sequences to high school. I did not like Pepper. My guess is we weren't supposed to. I felt sorry for Scarlett because all through school she jumped when Pepper snapped. At first I didn't like Zoey either, but towards the end you realize she wasn't a true product of her mother.

Another great book that I didn't want to put down, and this is quickly becoming an automatic read author.

Thank you, @thrillerbookloverspromotions, @jaimelynnhendricksauthor, @scarletsuspense and @penzlerpub

I really enjoyed this book, and I didn’t want to put it down while reading it. I loved the dual timelines and thought it was unique how the majority of the past was told through police interviews after two teenagers were killed in a car accident. The multiple perspectives worked perfectly, and although there were moments when I didn’t like any of the characters, Hendricks wrote Scarlett and Zoey’s points of view in a way that you couldn’t help but empathize with them too.

The pacing in this book was spot on even with the slow build up to the “lovely lie”. Hendricks threw in so many red herrings that I honestly thought everyone was a suspect at one time or another. The setting of the gulf coast of Florida was perfect, and I felt like I was there while reading this book. Although this book is a thriller, it was so nostalgic for me. The flashbacks to Scarlett and Pepper’s high school years made me think of growing up in the 90’s and my senior picnic. Thankfully my senior year didn’t end as tragically as theirs did.

There was one part that I struggled with that I can’t say because of spoilers, but overall I enjoyed this suspenseful story about toxic relationships and how they can affect our lives long after they’ve ended. This was my first book by Hendricks, but believe me, I’ll be checking out her backlist for sure.

Thank you to the author and Scarlet for a digital readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Lovely Lie is an utterly addictive, binge worthy, suspenseful, edge of your seat, page turning read. It will keep you hooked from start to finish without ever letting up on the pace. Hendricks is one of my favorites and with each book she writes she just keeps confirming it.

The characters were absolutely horrible, despicable, liars, conniving and I loved every single second. The author always creates characters you love to hate. That are utterly manipulative and selfish. It makes for a great ride.

I loved the multiple timelines and POV's, the police transcripts, the way everything tied in together and all the twists and turns that were perfectly sprinkled throughout. That ending was just perfect 👌 Perfect thrilling ride !

✨️ Thank you to @thrillerbookloverspromotions, @scarletsuspense, @penzlerpublishers, @netgalley & @jaimelynnhendricks for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another 4-star thriller for Jaime Lynn Hendricks! She has become an auto-read author for me. If she writes it, then I will read it. This one did not disappoint! Where are my 1990's/2000's babies at? You're gonna love this one! Buckle up for this wild rollercoaster ride!
Picture it, the year is 1999, two best friends attend the senior picnic, but tragedy strikes! As the truth comes to the light 22 years later, Scarlett must deal with the secrets of the past. What really happened that night!?!

This one gripped me and held my attention throughout. It kept me turning pages until the very end! I just had to know what REALLY HAPPENED! The untrustworthy characters are so well-developed that they drew me in despite their many flaws. This is a dual timeline story that is full of drama in the past and the present, which kept me playing the game of literary cat and mouse to find out what really happened. And oh my goodness...that ending had my jaw on the floor! "A Lovely Lie" has it all: dual timelines, unreliable characters, secrets, drama, lies, murder, and twists. If you're a thriller fan, this is a must read! 4 stars!

First of all let me warn, this is a ROLLERCOASTER. That being said, in the best way. I had a few things figured out and then the twists kept coming. I bounced back and forth between 3 and 4 stars but overall I think it’s definitely deserving of 4 stars. I did find some of the phrases and thought trains to be a little corny but it didn’t take away from the overall story. I’d definitely recommend

In "A Lovely Lie" by Jaime Lynn Hendricks, readers are transported to the year 1999, where two close friends find themselves amidst a senior picnic that takes a tragic turn. Fast forward twenty years, and the haunting memories and hidden truths of that ominous night resurface, triggering a quest for answers. The narrative skillfully navigates between past and present, delving into the complexities of flawed characters burdened with secrets. Hendricks masterfully crafts a gripping tale filled with drama and suspense, keeping readers engaged in the tantalizing mystery of what truly transpired. With its compelling storytelling and intriguing characters, "A Lovely Lie" proves to be another captivating addition to the author's repertoire, leaving readers eagerly anticipating what lies ahead.