I did enjoy the first book a little more than this one, but I still enjoyed reading Rowan's story and returning to Caball Hollow. Just like the previous book, I would have loved a bit more spookiness, but it was fine.

Bittersweet in the Hollow was one of my favorite books I read last year and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. Thankfully, it is just as good as the first book!

I love these characters so much, and I was so happy to be back in their world. I love the relationship between Rowan and her family, I loved the eerie forest atmosphere.

Highly recommend these books!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Another incredible addition to the James family lore! Highly recommended for YA library collections and fans of supernatural mysteries!

Also, as a Native Appalachian, I LOVE Pearsall’s ability to capture our food, geography, weather, culture, and PEOPLE without resorting to condescending stereotypes!!! Thank you!

3.5/5 rounded up to 4!

i really enjoyed the first book, bittersweet in the hollow, and reading from linden's pov, so i was eager to start lies on the serpent's tongue and read about rowan (and hadrian too to be honest). i couldn't help but compare this book to the first one and i have to say it took a bit longer to get into the heart of the story and the mystery, and then at some point it felt like there were many things happening and different plot point developing at the same time, either related to the different mysteries or to the james family, and i was wondering how the author could manage to wrap everything up nicely, but the author managed to do it well. the novel was very nicely written and i loved the atmosphere created by the setting of caball hollow, the bonds in the james family, and the romance part. i hope we'll be able to get books about the other two sisters, juniper and sorrel, in future!

arc provided by netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC.

2.5/ 3 stars

Note that I didn't read the first book since I didn't know it was a series.

Reading the synopsis, I thought it would be a horror/thriller "keep you on the edge" type of book. Sadly, it didn't feel that way for me. It took me 30% for me to get into it and I loved 30-48% mark before the second half of the book. I loved the ominous signs while Rowan was volunteering in the Forest. It was creepy and atmospheric. However, by the second half, the book turned full-on supernatural mystery and it kinda lost me. Some parts like the ending felt rushed. I did like the plot twist toward the end. The romance was cute, and I wanted to see more of them together.

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue is one of the best books I read this year. Yes it is. I rated this book 5 stars and loved every single second of it. So so so good. Loved everything about it.

I am so glad this book exists. Rowan, the James sister who can taste lies, and Hadrian, the mysterious lying man who lies and who she definitely has a crush on deep deep down. This was another great mysterious set in the Appalachian mountains with monsters of folklore, magic, and interesting new characters.

Also, this is me yelling at the author and publisher that I need a book about each sister, please!

Oh man, this was SO good. I loved the first book in this series and I highly anticipated the sequel. The sequel went above my expectations. I was so happy to be back in this spooky, Appalachian town. This time we follow along with Rowan and her quest to figure out why the people of her town are losing their memories. But she is not alone, she has to team up with her mysteries enemy, Haridan. Will they be able to save the memories of the town's people?

What I enjoyed:
- everything! But, no really, this was SO GOOD! I loved Rowan and her ability to smell a lie. She was such a fun MC.
-enemies to lovers
-spooky and witchy atmosphere
-fast paced and kept me interested the whole time.


My fingers are crossed we get a third book! I cannot get enough of this book world. I would love to read more about the James family and their small town. 5 stars out of 5. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Amazing book. Love the character development amazing story line . Will definitely recommend. Good job

Brilliant! Thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected twists, turns, and the romance! The only downfall I see is that the ending could have been a little more derailed and drawn out.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for making my dreams come true with this ARC.

Bittersweet in the Hollow was my favorite YA read of 2024, one of my favorite overall reads of the year and I’m over-the-moon that Rowan is the subject of the second book.
Only months after the event of Bittersweet in the Hollow, Rowan finds herself angry (as always), aimless and itching for a fight with Hadrian Fitch who disappeared without saying goodbye. With the autumn chill comes strange happenings in Caball Hollow-items going missing, strangers showing up dead, and maybe most unusual of all magpies laughing in the woods of Appalachia. One night when Hadrian shows up at Rowan’s door asking for a favor she makes a deal to work with her nemesis in order to help her family and try to get answers to what plagues her community.

This book is the perfect “spooky season” YA offering. The women are fierce, the air is crisp and the mysteries will leave you guessing.

I deeply want to be a James sister and for honorary James status I recommend making yourself a cup of tea and enjoying this book by candlelight, extra credit for reading on a cold and windy fall night!

This book is a YA fantasy and it runs a little dark. This is the second book in the series (Bittersweet in the hollow). The characters are very likable and you’ll quickly be invested. The author does a wonderful job of hooking you in quick and keeping you interested. This book would be perfect for a halloween read.

Another Appalachian novel which did not disappoint. This book follows Rowan and is mystically intriguing with excellent writing. Highly recommend

I have been waiting for this book for over a year and it did not let me down!! These books are absolutely underrated, I could sing their praises all day. I love Kate Pearsall’s prose, it’s so beautiful and creates such a rich atmosphere and feeling to her books. I wanted to live in Caball Hollow and work at the Harvest Moon diner with the girls, I truly didn’t want to leave the world of this book. The pacing in this is even quicker than Bittersweet in the Hollow, which made this such a fun, propulsive read. I wasn’t sure if Rowan and her story would live up to Linden’s in the previous book, but I loved Rowan and really enjoyed following her as a character. If you want a magical, spooky time you need to read this.

ARC provided by NetGalley

What a great Appalachian novel — well done for a second round! As someone who grew up in the area, I felt like I was back in my hometown. Setting, plot, everything was excellent.

4.5 ⭐️ Who doesn't love a YA fantasy with a dark plot? This was just as good as the first book and I expected nothing less!! The characters are VERY easy to love (especially Rowan) and the story grabs you so much that when it ends you automatically want more. I loved the mystery and the gothic aspects, it made the book even more special. Extra points for the romance that I didn't expect nothing at all and ended up surprising me A LOT!

*Lies on the Serpent's Tongue* is a mesmerizing and eerie companion novel to *Bittersweet in the Hollow*. Set in the small Appalachian town of Caball Hollow, the book delves into a world of secrets, deception, and supernatural gifts with a hauntingly atmospheric narrative.

The story follows 18-year-old Rowan James, who possesses a unique and unsettling ability: she can smell the lies of those around her. This gift has made her a reluctant keeper of others' secrets, shaping her view of a world where trust is elusive and truth is ever-shifting. Rowan’s life is already complicated by her strained relationship with her younger sister, Linden, who experiences emotions through taste. Together, their gifts have created a complex web of interpersonal dynamics and emotional barriers.

The plot thickens when Hadrian Fitch, a former rival of Rowan’s, arrives at her doorstep in a bloodied and battered state, seeking her help. Despite her instinctual distrust, Rowan is drawn into a series of bizarre and unsettling events. Small items begin to vanish, and the townsfolk behave as if these losses never occurred, adding to the growing sense of dread. The mystery deepens with rumors of a new monster in the Hollow, further complicating Rowan’s efforts to uncover the truth.

*Lies on the Serpent's Tongue* excels in its exploration of themes related to truth, perception, and trust. Rowan's gift creates a constant tension between what she can sense and what she chooses to believe. This internal conflict is mirrored in the external mysteries of the town, where reality itself seems to be in flux. The atmosphere of the book is thick with suspense and an almost palpable sense of foreboding, capturing the essence of a place where the normal and the supernatural intertwine.

The characters are richly developed, with Rowan’s internal struggles and her fraught relationship with Hadrian providing emotional depth to the narrative. Hadrian’s presence brings a new layer of complexity, as his interactions with Rowan are tainted by his own enigmatic past and the constant, unsettling smell of deceit. The interplay between Rowan’s mistrust and her need for answers drives the plot forward, making for a compelling and suspenseful read.

Author [Author’s Name] has crafted a novel that is as atmospheric as it is thought-provoking. The small-town setting, combined with the supernatural elements and psychological intrigue, creates a gripping story that keeps readers on edge. The book’s exploration of the nature of truth and the impact of personal gifts on relationships adds a rich layer of thematic depth to the narrative.

*Lies on the Serpent's Tongue* is a haunting and evocative read that will appeal to fans of dark, atmospheric fiction and those who enjoy unraveling intricate mysteries. With its blend of supernatural elements and psychological suspense, it’s a captivating addition to the genre that promises to linger in the mind long after the final page is turned.

I can't believe this was the sequel to Bittersweet in the Hollow, I liked it infinitely times better. I feel like the writing matured a lot, or the character was just way less focused on boy/relationship drama. The setting was more atmospheric too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5

Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue is a riveting, atmospheric YA contemporary mystery with fantastic characters and a darkly enrapturing plot.

I had such a good time with this one. The romance was *chef’s kiss. The character development and world-building were amazing, and I loved the haunting, almost gothic aspects to the story. The inclusion of myths and dark magic was wonderful. This book kept me on my toes with its splendid pacing, fascinating mysteries, and beautiful writing. I have not read Bittersweet in the Hollow (LotST is the companion novel), so I will dive into it as soon as possible. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!