Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this read. Lucinda Berry imakes me wonder all the time. How does she come up with these unlikeable characters. If you like books that they, this will be a good read.

Another wild ride brought to us by Lucinda Berry! I ultimately really enjoyed the story and the unexpected way it ended. The beginning really pulled me in, but I felt the pacing slowed down a bit too much in the middle before ramping back up for the latter half. I struggled with keeping all of the points of view clear, particularly given there are multiple POVs as well as jumps between time periods. Once the physical characteristics and personality traits of the characters were more clear to me, though, this became more seamless.
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

If You Tell a Lie by Lucinda Berry is an exciting novel with lots of twists and turns. The characters are not that likeable and that makes it a bit hard to get into. That being said, readers of thrillers should enjoy this book very much. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

There were aspects of this book that I liked but, sadly, it fell flat. The story built up well and then just kind of ended. I didn’t really like any of the characters which was also disappointing. The setting was well described and I could visualize things which is a positive.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for honest feedback.

They never considered how his wife might react, or that by the end of the summer a man would be dead. But Blakely always got her way, and the others followed her lead—even when they knew it was dead wrong.

The girls had been friends from day one at Camp Pendleton, a haven for gifted children. But their senior summer was different. When Mr. Crosby, the handsome tennis coach, wound up murdered after a reckless lie, Blakely, Grace, Meg, and Thera swore themselves to secrecy. And never spoke to each other again.

Until now. Twenty years later a sinister note claiming to know what they did brings them back together. And once again Blakely is pulling the strings.

Unfolding in a dual timeline, If You Tell a Lie is a disturbing journey into the dangerous, sometimes deadly consequences of peer pressure—with a bone-chilling twist you’ll never see coming.

Loved it. I really loved the dual timeline.

🤫💀 Book Review: If You Tell a Lie by Lucinda Berry 💀🤫

This one was twisty in all the best ways—and yes, a bit dark with some majorly disturbing moments! Lucinda Berry takes us through a web of lies, secrets, and dangerous games that started in a single summer and are finally catching up with these characters 20 years later.

Blakely, Grace, Meg, and Thera were tight-knit friends at Camp Pendleton, until one fateful decision led to the murder of their charming tennis coach, Mr. Crosby. They’ve managed to keep their pact of silence all these years…until a note shatters that peace and brings them back together. And, of course, Blakely is still the queen bee, pulling the strings. With the story unfolding in dual timelines, it’s fascinating to see how the events of that summer still haunt each of them, showing just how powerful—and dangerous—peer pressure can be.

This one definitely gave me some “ick” moments, but Berry’s knack for building suspense kept me glued. And the ending? Worth every chilling twist and turn!

💭 Question for You: What’s a thriller that had you torn between wanting to look away and needing to know what happens next? 👀📖

One of the best books from Lucinda Berry!!! You think you know but you don’t!!! A Five Star page turner that keeps you guessing until the very end!!! Summer camp gone terribly wrong!!! But why??! Grab this amazing work and you will not be disappointed!!

This was a great thriller! Loved the "then" timelines. Kept me engaged and wanting to see how it ended.

This is the first Lucinda Berry book I’ve read versus listened on audiobook. I say this as the number of characters and now and then perspectives made it a bit difficult to keep up with at first. But, after I knew all the characters the ride started and let me tell you what a ride it was!

Just when I thought oh darn I know what’s happening here a twist or turn to the story was thrown in and just like a roller coaster I was screaming for more trying to adjust to figure out my new theories!

Isn’t that why readers of thrillers and psychological ones especially are looking for? Well this delivered for certain!

What’s next Lucinda Berry? I can’t wait!

This was a great thriller, kept me reading, and wanting to find out what happened, however, I did see the twists coming and wasn't shocked by anything. But a great way to kill some time!

Lucinda Berry is one of my favorite authors for a reason. The different timelines, the drama, the secrets… She just writes things I’ve never read before and she writes them so so well. 4 friends sworn to secrecy about a summer at camp but the truth is coming. And it’s going to EXPLODE. Lucinda, my queen, thank you for blessing us with another one.

I really wanted to love this. Unfortunately, I think it jumped the shark and became entirely too unrealistic as time went on.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this early. I love this author so so much and this book shocked me! If you’re looking for a thriller, please pick up any of their books! Great writing, plot twists and writing style!

I absolutely loved this book. I actually read it before the official launch but being this the first ARC I received from NetGalley, I hadn't figured out how to leave my reviews of the book except on my socials. Now that I have it figured out, i want to thank @netgalley for allowing me to read this book before release day. I was pulled in from the very first page, I was not expecting the twist at the end either. I thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and turns Lucinda gave us right til the end. 5 star read from me!
Can't wait for the next one!
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy of If You Tell a Lie.

I love a lot of Lucinda Berry thrillers but this one felt a little too YA for me. The twists and turns were too over the top for me to believe could ever happen. Easy read, just not my favorite.

Lucinda Berry books are usually so engrossing. But this one didn’t hit the same as the others. I don’t usually mind the girls at camp and keeping secrets trope too. I did read this one fast hoping more things would happen. I didn’t like the characters that much and I felt bad for the adult main character in their past.

I’m so glad that my group of friends and I didn’t cover up a death like this.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas&Mercer and Lucinda Berry for a copy of the eARC and an honest review of the book.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought the “then” chapters took us inside the minds of these teenagers in a way that showed us what was truly important to them and had us remembering what it felt like to be teenagers. The story progressed at a good pace, and everything wove together seamlessly. The ending truly had me shocked. I didn’t see it coming. I knew she was messed up but I guess I didn’t realize how messed up!

Lucinda Berry has become an auto buy author for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book of hers I’ve read and this one is no exception! Do yourself a favor and read this book as soon as you can!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion!

4 Stars

Another great read from Dr. Lucinda Berry. I really enjoyed this story and found it very entertaining from start to finish. My only complaint was I thought I was going to be getting a summer camp thriller story, which is true for the first half of the book. I loved how we got all the POVs from each of the four girls plus Regina's POV. But after the half way mark, the story shifted to almost a completely different story to the woman's present story and it short of came out of left field. I enjoyed the "other story" but it wasn't exactly what I "signed up for." But again, the story was enjoyable overall. I also got confused from time to time on if this was set at a summer camp or a school just due to a few terms that were used.

This book was exciting and thrilling and such a page turning story. Told in dual timelines of before and present time. Four friends meet at a summer camp and during those teenage years end up in a lie that spans multiple decades. This is not a simple lie. It one that changes families and the community. The story is told in mullet point of view of each of the girls which really helps keeps the anticipation of the story. A great psychological thrilling story of friendships, secrets, and lies.