Well paced book that went from past to present time. I was a little lost at first with the dialogue from the past to present, but was able to catch on quickly. I liked that there were tiny clues about what the big secret was without actually giving away too much. I would recommend this book for those that like a fast paced suspense filled story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing a ARC copy!

One thing about me is I love a good YA mystery, and this easily is one of my favorites as of late.

Pearl’s life takes a turn as she finds an old newspaper clipping showing a picture of her father holding a newborn baby he found outside a hospital.

I found myself completely immersed into the story from the very first chapter. I loved the twists and turns it took, every time I thought I figured it all out, something popped up to prove me just how wrong I was. It was truly impossible to put down, I was constantly on the edge of my seat trying to piece it all together.

I loved Pearl’s journey throughout the book; it’s probably because it wasn’t that long ago I was sixteen myself and I perfectly remember how easy it is for one small thing to completely unravel you and turn your entire world upside down. And then the one small thing turns into two, then three, and then it keeps going and going until you are drowning under small things that could be easily solved, but you are sixteen and everything is like the end of the world. And, at the end of the day, everything she knew was being taken away from her with every new piece of information, so why can’t a girl be a little dramatic!

Seeing the friendships form through the book made the characters so easy to root for; I just wanted the situation to be solved so they could be back to being just kids and enjoying their days.

I did feel like there was a lack of urgency throughout, even though it was fairly fast paced, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book nor made me want to put it down once. I also really loved the ending: I did figure out part of it, but the rest really surprised me. For a moment I was scared some things were gonna be left hanging, but I was very happy to be proven wrong as everything came together very nicely. Truly an incredible read overall, and I had a great time with it!

Many thanks to LiterallyPR, Hashtag Press & Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! It was a bit of a YA book, I will recommend reading this book as it was worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Thank you Netgalley and Hashtag Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In "It All Started With a Lie" by Denise Brown, Pearl's perception of her seemingly perfect family is shattered when she stumbles upon a newspaper clipping featuring her father holding a baby abandoned outside a hospital. This discovery triggers a gripping tale of betrayal, obsession, and murder, setting the stage for a story that unravels around a central lie.

From the very first page, I found myself captivated by the intricacies of "It All Started With a Lie." Pearl, initially thinking her family didn’t have any secrets, is thrust into a world of deception, of secrets that adults keep because they think they’re protecting their children. Brown skillfully draws you into the heart of the story, creating an edge-of-your-seat experience that is impossible to put down. There were so many layers to the central mystery, so many different plot points that kept me engaged throughout the book. This was a very fast-paced book, and I read this book in only a few hours as I just had to know what was going to happen next.

The story is infused with tension, suspense, and unexpected plot twists that kept me wanting more. Denis Brown has a talent for immersing readers in the story, making them forget they are reading a book. The vivid imagery and engaging writing style made it easy to envision the scenes.

Pearl's journey of self-discovery and the unveiling of family secrets resonate with authenticity. Brown creates a complex web of relationships, leaving you emotionally invested in the characters' fates. I will say that I wanted more development of the characters, especially Pearl and Samantha. About halfway through the book when one certain truth is revealed, I couldn’t figure out the exact motivations of the characters and why they were so invested in the mystery. Learning more about the character motivations would have strengthened this aspect of the writing. And even though the book was fast-paced, there was also a lack of tension and urgency, which, again, I think the character motivations would have helped. Overall though, I did enjoy the mystery aspect, and I like how the ending wrapped up all the loose ends.

All in all, "It All Started With a Lie" is a compelling story that combines elements of mystery, family dynamics, and suspense. Brown’s ability to craft a narrative that keeps you guessing makes this book a must-read for those who enjoy immersive storytelling, especially for those who are entertained by stories focusing on obsession and the consequences of hidden truths.