Oh this audiobook was so good! It starts slow but stick with it and don't let the length intimidate you. The addition length the author took with this thriller/suspense creates a twisted but captivating web of deception, lying and unexpected revelations. Told from dual POV and narrators with chapters clearly labeled with POV and date (my favorite format) I couldn't stop listening. I flew through this book and believe it is a must read thriller of fall 2024!

Thank you Dreamscape media for the ALC.

Olivia and Elle come together when Elle notices that Olivia is wearing her stolen grandmother’s heirlooms. Jewels she’s been searching for
A very long time. Befriending Olivia to get back er jewelry, Elle hatches a plan to help Olivia make enough money for fertility treatments in exchange for her jewelry back.

Married to a controlling husband, Camden, Olivia hides her impulsive and compulsive spending and her plans for in-vitro treatments. Olivia knows her husband would be infuriated but she’s desperate for the child she’s not able to conceive on her own. Sneaking around, Camden’s uncle somehow discovers her betrayal and makes Olivia do him a favor in exchange for 30k to clear her debt and to keep his secret from Camden.

Elle and Olivia have secrets. Secrets they’re keeping from each other and from their husbands. Camden has a secret too, a secret that can devastate Olivia.

𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
☁️☁️☁️

Suspenseful and riveting, I was heavily invested in both Olivia and Elle! Such a good read that can be read in one reading! Definitely want to read more by this author and I LOVED the ending. Everyone got their just reward!

Elle is a con-woman on the run after a young life filled with crime and tragedy. Olivia is a debt-ridden housewife who keeps digging her financial hole deeper to pay for fertility treatments and pay off her blackmailing father. When the two women cross paths, Elle can’t help but notice a distinctive necklace around Olivia’s neck – an heirloom that was stolen from Elle years ago. Together, Olivia and Elle devise a scheme to take advantage of their wealthy friends’ snooty MLM circle, but will the secrets they’re each hiding foil their plan or bring them closer together?

This suspense novel gripped me right from the start, and it’s easy to see why my friends at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been buzzing about it! The plot is intricately crafted and both FMCs are compelling and well-developed. These women are morally grey and often unlikeable but also so fascinating! The story is so multi-layered between each of the women’s backstories and how they are interwoven as well as the heist they’re running together. I was definitely surprised by the big twist! A great read from this debut author!

The audiobook is narrated by Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers and they do an outstanding job! Whether hot mess express Olivia or cool condescending Elle, each was perfect for the character they voiced and added so much to my enjoyment of this story!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me an advance copy of this audiobook.

Received this as an ARC (Thank you Dreamscape)!!!
I loved it. There is a lot going on, but not so much you can't follow, just enough to keep you interested and engaged.
There are a lot of different topics touched, but it all flowed smoothly and flawlessly.
I love how it points out how different upbringings and situations form us into the people we are, whether that be someone who is always vying for attention and love, or someone who refuses to get close to anyone bc of love.
The two main characters are so incredibly different, but at their core, the same. Elle is strong, the strength Olivia needed in her life. Olivia is the sweet that Elle needed. But at the end of the day, they are who they are and do what they do bc of love. The bond they formed is beautiful.
My ONLY negative, I thought it should have been shorter. But, that's a personal preference, so not really a negative? Anyway, 4.5 stars!!! I will definitely be checking out any titles from this author!!!

I'm a sucker for revenge stories, and when I saw this gorgeous cover, I was interested. When I saw it was great for fans of Sally Hepworth, I was sold!

This book had the ingredients of something I would love: revenge, snarky characters, commentary on MLMs, a little bit of romance, etc. Unfortunately it didn't come together to keep my interest. I did enjoy Elle's chapters. I love a FMC with a no bullsh!t attitude and an intriguing backstory. Olivia got on my nerves from the get-go. I don't like calling characters unlikeable, especially when they are going through something as challenging as infertility, but her decision making was grinding my gears in the first 20% of the book. I wonder if I didn't get to know her well enough prior to making these decisions to have the necessary compassion for her? I called it at 25% because I found myself not paying attention.

I noticed on this book (as of 8/28/2024) has a 4/1 on StoryGraph and a 4.2 on GoodReads, so I know I'm in the minority here. I think this could be great for readers who enjoy con artist tropes, especially if the reasons for participating in the con are due for reasons that could really hit home with some folks. (ex: IVF is expensive!)

"Between Lies and Revenge" explores several themes, including the consequences of deceit, the quest for justice, and the impact of past traumas on the present. This book explores the psychology of its characters, examining how their experiences shape their actions and decisions. Themes of trust and betrayal are central to the story, with characters constantly questioning who they can believe and what they should do in the face of betrayal.
It is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and drama. Hannah D. Sharpe has developed a novel that is both thought-provoking and entertaining, with a storyline that keeps readers guessing until the end.. If you enjoy books with intricate plots, strong character development, and a touch of suspense this is the book for you.

This was GOOD! I have been on such a good reading spurt lately and this book did not disappoint! Elle and Olivia have some weird agreement going on and the book leaves me in a crazy place I did not anticipate!

5 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy!

Publish date: 09/03/2024

Oh my what a listen!!!

First of the narration on this book was amazing. I loved the voices of the two main characters and they were perfect for the personalities.

This book started out slow and kind of confusing to me but I am SO glad I stuck with it! Olivia and Elle meet under suspicious circumstances and come together each for their own reasons. They don’t trust each other or anyone around them but continue to work together. As the book continues the plot gets more and more exciting and there are some twists and turns that I did not see coming!!!

There is a main storyline of infertility which could be a trigger for some people but the story is told with compassion and understanding…especially after hearing author’s note.

Highly highly recommend this book!!!

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to listen and review this book!!!

⭐️⭐️

The book centers around two women, Elle and Olivia, who are both trying to escape. Elle her past and Olivia her current situation. They come together to con their way through the Olivia’s wealthy friend group and all of their MLMs.

This story wasn’t really for me but I did enjoy how fast paced it was. I listened to this on audio and it was difficult to keep track of whose story was being told.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Hannah Sharpe for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Title: Between Lies and Revenge
Author: Hannah D. Shape (Debut Author)
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrators: Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Audiobook Release Date: September 3, 2024
My Rating: 3.2 Stars
Pages 400

Story is told by Elle a con artist and Olivia Bradley a sweet young housewife wanted to have a baby.
When Elle was sixteen, she was already on her way to a life of crime as she and her brother Travis were on their own as their parents both jewelers were both killed in a car accident.
Then Elle’s brother was killed and their grandmother’s heirloom jewelry was taken while she was sleeping.

Now seventeen or so years later Elle spots a stranger wearing an antique cross. She comments on its being unique - she knows it is part of her family’s missing pieces and Elle wants them back,
She stalks Olivia the woman who was wearing the cross and carefully takes her time to befriend her. Elle uses her gemology skills she offers to appraise and clean the jewelry. As first Olivia is hesitant but when Elle offer to also repair a piece, Oliva accepts the offer. Elle then replicates it and returned the fake piece to Olivia.

Olivia continues to try to get pregnant. Camden doesn’t want to continue with the expense of IVF.
Elle and Olivia meet again. Olivia’s need of more money works out for Elle. Her expertise and Olivia's connections are perfect for business of home jewelry appraisal parties. When this isn't lucrative enough, they develop the perfect con: switching rich housewives' gems with fakes.

Story kept me curious. However, as someone who also enjoys reading Christian Mysteries - I about ‘had it’ with Elle’s excessive use of f-bombs!!! True I know it is ‘who she is’!!
Zane her husband of ten years loves her and he seems like a great guy so I figure I need to give Elle a chance and surely there must be “Something Likeable about Elle?

Although I liked the ending, I never reached the point of liking Elle.

BTW: Although I didn’t love most of this story I did enjoy the narrators Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers as they did a fab job performing the characters,

Additionally I was pleased that this audiobook included the ‘Author’s Notes’ as that doesn’t always happen with audiobooks.
Hannah D. Sharpe is a nurse with a background in emergency medicine and nursing education. She tells us that she shared her personal experiences in this story and will always be thankful for alternative options as she navigates motherhood with her three young children.
She also states that each individual’s experience with infertility is unique.
I could relate a little bit to Olivia as I also had endometriosis.

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 3, 2024.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers do a fantastic job of narrating this story! I highly recommend the audio version!

This is a suburban housewife thriller involving a female con-artist and an infertile housewife drowning in credit card debt due to her desire to keep up with the Jones and pay for IVF. The two unwittingly pair up strike it rich with a MLM scheme.

This is a good first book by a new author. I am looking forward to reading more from her. For this story, the premise is interesting but the execution needed work. First, the book is too long and could have trimmed down the repetitive content. Second, its started slow and dragged a bit at different parts along the way. Third, the writing and character development is a bit clunky. I had a hard time believing the reality of the lives of these women. The story just did not hold my interest.

3 stars.

I really thought I would enjoy this revenge thriller, but it just did not keep my attention. I had a hard time focusing and keeping track. It might be the audio, but the story was not grabbing my interest fully. I unfortunately had to DNF.

TW: Infertility, IVF

This revenge thriller fan was instantly intrigued by the book's ultra-compelling plotline:

An infertile housewife drowning in credit card debt unwittingly pairs up with a savvy female ex-con to strike it rich with a dodgy MLM scheme.

I especially enjoyed how the storyline unfolded from the POVs of two deeply flawed female protagonists.

WHY NOT 5 STARS?
* I am not a fan of books showcasing crime lords
* I prefer PG-rated thrillers with no explicit sex scenes
* This 11-hour audiobook easily could have been an 8-hour book with the omission of repetitious text

I listened to the audiobook read by Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers.

I always enjoy full-cast audiobooks and both narrators did a fabulous job with the narration.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I enjoyed that this was not the typical psychological thriller formula. I also enjoyed that I was familiar with the locations that this novel took place. While I felt like the book could have flowed better, I am definitely interested in reading future books by this author!

This is a suspenseful novel about two women, Elle and Olivia, who team up to pull off a jewelry heist in order to secure their financial stability. Elle, an ex-con, seeks revenge for the theft of her heirloom jewelry, while Olivia is struggling financially and emotionally. They form a partnership, using their skills and connections to deceive wealthy housewives and make some quick money. However, their hidden secrets and lies threaten to ruin their plan and their relationship. In order to survive, they must face their fears and trust each other in their final con.

It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel! The story flows effortlessly and grips you right from the start. Some secrets are cleverly kept hidden until the very end, while others are revealed early on to keep you hooked. The characters are flawed yet captivating, and their morally ambiguous decisions make it impossible not to root for them. The dynamic between the two women adds layers of complexity to the plot, and the ending is both satisfying and surprising.

The audiobook was absolutely phenomenal. The narrator skillfully brought the annoying characters to life with an annoying voice, while perfectly capturing the essence of each character. I was thoroughly entertained and left wanting more. Kudos to the brilliant choice of narrator!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for audio ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Suburban thriller, women con artists, a past with crime lords, and no one is who they say they are. For the most part I enjoyed the overall story and the characters on a surface level. I will say the blackmail trope and absolute refusal to look at the answer in front you trope didn't bother me quite as much as it normally would because the narrator made this a super easy book to listen to and ignore my usual pet peeves. This was a great book to listen to while cleaning the house or doing some errands and any of the parts that would normally irk me in a mystery thriller are quickly fixed and not lingered on so you don't find yourself being agitated by decisions for very long. I can definitely see this book being a book club book for thriller readers. It has a lot of discussable points and actions while also making you guess multiple times who is behind what.

Elle is in search of her family jewels that were stolen from her the night her entire world was destroyed. Olivia a suburban house wife who is in severe secret debt and also gets suckered into sooo many MLMs is seen wearing Elle's jewels. Elle immediately decides she must become Olivia's friend, become a part of her world, and take back what is hers. Olivia very quickly though realizes she may be being duped and decides to join Elle in a con to cover her own secrets debts in exchange for the jewels.

4.5 What a ride! I enjoyed everything about this. The story was fast paced and I couldn't put it down.

A heist thriller for fans of Ocean’s 8 and THE FORTY ELEPHANTS.

Premise - a hardened criminal with a (deep down) soft core (secret vegan??) and a frazzled housewife with a secret debt problem, a horrible family, an equally horrible husband, and an unfulfilled baby dream team up to make the fancy lady MLM circuit work for them.

Told in alternating POVs, the story moves at an engaging clip. The voices are a little unbalanced - while the frazzled housewife can be a bit too hot mess express, I still enjoyed her perspective more than the one note I’m-such-a-tough-gal POV of the career criminal. I see what this was going for, and I think action flick fans might like it more, but the characters didn’t pull me in quite as much as I’d hoped.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Meg Price and Imani Jade Powers. They did a great job with the characters, so I can definitely recommend choosing the audiobook, but as the story didn’t suck me in as much as I’d hoped I also didn’t find myself struggling to hit pause on my phone.

Thanks, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The book was okay. I had a hard time paying attention. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were good I would like to listen to more books they narrate.
I’m more of a fantasy type girly so that might be the reason why I bc I’ll pay attention for long periods at a time.