Thank you to Netgalley for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Lovely Lie had an intriguing premise, but the execution made it feel more like a YA mystery than a gripping adult thriller. The alternating past to present was good but the party sounded nothing like my senior picnic in 1991. I guess they partied like Prince in '99.

If you prefer complex, tightly woven suspense, this one might feel a bit too juvenile.

I do like the author though and I will read her again!

A Lovely Lie by Jaime Lynn Hendricks is a suspenseful and emotionally charged novel that delves into the repercussions of a tragic event and the complex web of lies that follow. The story centers on Scarlett Russo, whose life was irrevocably altered by a car accident during her senior year of high school. The accident, which killed two classmates, was a pivotal moment in Scarlett's life, leading her and her best friend Pepper to lie to protect each other. But when Pepper disappeared and Scarlett moved on, she thought she had buried the past for good.

Fast forward twenty-two years, and Scarlett’s quiet life with her family in Florida is turned upside down when Zoey, Pepper's now-grown daughter, appears with a letter from her late mother. As Zoey investigates the truth about her mother’s past and the fateful night that changed so many lives, Scarlett’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel. With secrets threatening to resurface, Scarlett is forced to confront the haunting lies she told long ago and the painful truths she’s spent years avoiding.

Hendricks expertly blends mystery, drama, and the complexities of friendship, guilt, and redemption in A Lovely Lie. The gripping narrative and well-drawn characters keep the reader engaged as the story explores themes of forgiveness, family secrets, and the consequences of actions. A thrilling read that will have you turning the pages, this novel is perfect for fans of suspenseful, character-driven stories.

I liked this book overall, but I didn’t love the narration. The premise is compelling, with a layered mystery and complex relationships that kept me intrigued. The way the past and present intertwined added depth to the story, and I enjoyed the tension as secrets began to unravel. However, the narration didn’t fully draw me in—it felt uneven at times, which made it harder to connect with the characters. While it was a solid read, it didn’t quite reach its full potential for me.

OMG Pepper was a total bag of dicks, and Vince was not far behind! This was a wild ride and I was totally here for it! This was my 1st book by Jaime Lynn Hendricks but will definitely not be my last! I am adding all of her books to my TBR. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

#ALovelyLie
#NetGalley

Jaime Lynn Hendricks' A Lovely Lie is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the consequences of long-buried secrets resurfacing after two decades. The narrative alternates between 1999, when best friends Scarlett and Pepper are involved in a fatal car accident, and the present day, where Scarlett's life is upended by the arrival of Zoey, Pepper's inquisitive daughter. As Zoey seeks answers about her mother's past, the intricate web of lies and hidden truths begins to unravel, leading to unexpected twists and revelations. Hendricks masterfully crafts a suspenseful tale that keeps readers on edge, exploring themes of friendship, guilt, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones.

ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Scarlett and Pepper were best friends, with a very dark secret. Pepper leaves town after high school and Scarlett never hears from her again, until Pepper’s daughter, Zoey, shows up asking questions about *that night.*

First off, Hilary Huber’s narration is flawless as always, and the book kept me entertained and hooked the entire time. Very fast-paced. The ending was nicely tied up with a bow as well and gave me the warm and fuzzies.

However, there were some tropes that I think are toxic and a bit misogynistic. The whole catty best friend trope is literally so patriarchal. Women do not always have a best friend that is mean to them and they just go along with it because they’re so in awe of them. Men have made this up to pit us against each other as competition for them, (as if men are the ultimate prize).

The other storyline that I will not spoil, and how the mean girls-esque best friend handles it is harmful for certain survivors of a certain type of crime and I didn’t think that was being a responsible writer.

I gave two stars for the fast-pace and for Hilary Huber. #ALovelyLie #JaimeLynnHendricks #NetGalley #ARC #HighBridgeAudio

I loved the drama and juicy secrets that A Lovely Lie was full of. The way it unfolded: with Zoey showing up at Scarlett and Vince's door with the news that Pepper had died, and how all of the secrets came out from there...it was very well told! While the actual events of the past didn't shock me, certain things did. I really enjoyed the ride.

Hillary Huber was a great narrator for the story. Her performance added a lot to the suspense and made it a fascinating listen. Her name isn't familiar to me, but I'll certainly be looking out for more of her work in the future.

Looking forward to more by this author!

🧺A Lovely Lie By Jamie Lynn Hendricks🧺

Pages: 312
Book Goal 2024: 102/100 🎧

✨What’s your favorite food for a picnic?✨

This was such a good quick thriller to enjoy!

Dual POV and Dual timeline which was really cool. I feel like a lot of times we are meant to be confused by thrillers but this one was so easy to follow and enjoyable!

There were some predictable twists in the book but I think this is one of those that is supposed to be and you’re just supposed to enjoy the storyline and see how it ends!

I felt for some of the characters. I loved the drama and I also enjoyed how they tied many of the characters together.

Well worth the read!

This is a fantastic audiobook and kept me on my toes! I thought I had certain pieces figured out but this kept me guessing. I loved the pacing, character development, and twists were well done. I will gladly read anything the author writes next!

A Lovely Lie by Jaime Lynn Hendricks is a gripping psychological thriller filled with twists and suspense. The story unravels secrets and deceptions, keeping readers on edge as they navigate a web of lies and betrayals. Hendricks excels at building tension, and the pacing keeps the plot moving at a fast clip. However, some of the twists may feel predictable for seasoned thriller readers. Despite this, the engaging characters and sharp writing make A Lovely Lie a compelling and satisfying read for fans of the genre.

In 1999, Scarlett and Pepper are best friends and involved in a car accident where two of their classmates ended up dead. The story is twisty and absolutely insane in spots. The truths that are revealed get better and better. The characters are very selfish at times, but that's to be expected from adults who were spoiled as children/teens and got away with whatever they wanted to. Definitely a good read and I enjoyed the writing of the characters and their thoughts.

All the twists and turns here! I think I both liked and hated each character at some point in the book. The drama and suspense made this book move along quickly!

A lie can be powerful and life-altering. A lie can change the path to one's future and cast a permanent shadow causing a life of regret, fraud, and doubt. A Lovely Lie is centered around deception, fear, and envy. It’s soapy and entertaining with elements of suspense and intense emotion. I enjoyed the alternating timelines and different perspectives as secrets were gradually revealed. “I’m as fake as a three-dollar bill, but the rage is real.” Rage ignited by jealousy proves to be lethal as the past meets the present. The narration masterfully brought the story to life adding intensity and mystery to this twisted and sorted story. Thank you, NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for my audiobook.

This was a very enjoyable read. Oh what a tangled web you weave… Buckle up, because this book is quite the ride.

Told with two timelines with a sprinkle of police interviews, it draws you in. Well written with tons of drama.

Thank you to Jamie Lynn Hendricks, Scarlet / Penzier Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook production.

I really liked the narrator. She had a great tone and speed throughout the book. She did a great job at making her voice different for each character without it being ridiculous. It definitely enhanced the read for me.

The book itself was wonderful! It was a slower burn but I love the going back and forth in timelines. You get little snippets here and there to help you try and figure out what’s happening. The characters are all so interwoven in their drama and their high school to adulthood lives, it’s fun to follow along with.

Thank you NetGalley, Highbridge Audio, and Jamie Lynn Hendricks for the early release of the audiobook!

I really enjoyed this chaotic, fast paced, morally questionable thriller. I enjoyed the dual timelines, many povs, police interview format, lies, drama and infidelity. I am an avid thriller reader and often predict twists/endings which was the case for this book but didn't mean it wasn't well written.

3.75/5 stars rounded up to 4 for NetGalley

Content Warnings
Graphic: death, toxic relationship, gaslighting, grief, infidelity, bullying, car accident, injury, abortion, alcohol, blood, drug use, miscarriage, murder, pregnancy, toxic friendship, violence and vomit
Minor: rape and sexual assault

Not my cup of tea. Trite. Somewhat predictable. Unlikeable characters. Needs more depth. Try again please.

Secrets, lies, drama, loathsome characters, brilliant storyline - what’s not to love?

Told in duel timelines with a mixture of police interviews thrown in, we follow a tragic incident from 1999 to someone looking for answers in the now.

Highly addictive and totally entertaining, this is one of those books you pick up that you will not want to out down.

Huge thanks to Highbridge audio for my ALC. The narration by Hillary Huber was top notch - I could not stop listening. Highly recommended.

The plot is east to follow and the character development is great. WOW! Such a great read. I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jaime Lynn Hendricks & Highbridge Audio for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own & may not be reproduced.

This book was getting a lot of buzz, so I was glad to have an early listen. Unfortunately, for me, it didn’t live up to the hype.

We follow, mainly, Scarlett who shares a deadly secret with her high school best friend Pepper. Twenty years later, Pepper’s daughter shows up out-of-the-blue to inform Scarlett that Pepper recently died & to also harass her about the secret they were keeping. She threatens to figure out what the secret is and to out Scarlett.

This was a so-so thriller. I didn’t particularly care for any of the characters & the twist ending was predictable – most of it. There was one particular twist that was a little bit of a surprise, but not earth shattering.

The pacing moved quick enough, but overall, it lacked originality. I read 400+ books per year (you read that correctly – not a typo) & 70% are thrillers, so I’m a tough critic for this genre. It wasn’t “bad,” but I will have forgotten about it as soon as I finish typing this review.