Anna has staged an attack on Willow on the morning of September 11 2001. But then, the towers are attacked and no one can find Willow. What did Anna do?

The characters are unlovable and the narrator is unreliable, which means we never know what is real or not. I did enjoy disliking them! I also liked the setting of the story, but the pace was a bit slow for me: I couldn’t wait to find out what had happened!! I also loved the social commentary of the book, I think that was the best part of it.

Also, let’s be real, a ton of issues could’ve been avoided if only Anna would have accepted she was in fact in love with Willow!

If you love mystery, unlovable characters, unreliable narrator and social commentary, this book is for you!

WOW! I received an ARC from the publisher in order to read and review this forthcoming publication (May '25). I honestly wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did. I mostly read fantasy, historical fiction, and literary fiction and rarely delve into the realm of thriller (though, some of the Dark Academia books I've enjoyed have elements, obviously, of psychological suspense). This book is fantastic on so many levels albeit be warned (trigger warnings: multiple references to sexual assault, anorexia, abusive relationships/bullying, self harm). The author has a background in art/art history which she draws upon so well in this debut novel. Her writing is so rich and evocative even as she explores incredibly disturbing elements of the human psyche/experience and unpacks the deleterious impact of the male gaze on women, especially female artists long reduced to "muses" and sexual objects for men. Thanks to the publisher for giving me a sneak preview of such a fantastic book that has opened my eyes to just how rich this genre can be.

I feel like this novel had a very strong premise with two equally strong well written characters, however the plot just failed to deliver.

An absolutely insane premise that had me entertained immediately and kept my attention until the end of the book. Really twisty and kept me guessing the entire time, did not guess the ending.

Tell Them You Lied is a mystery/thriller that simultaneously explores concepts of identity, manipulation, relational dynamics and the desire for fame and success. The novel tells the story of Anna, a young woman that meets the alluring Willow during art school, and their journey told through two timelines - that of their time in art school and that of 5 years later, September 2001.

I appreciated the change of voice between the memories of art school (a third-person account of events) and the present (seemingly a direct letter from Anna to Willow). The alternating perspectives added a special flair that made the novel captivating in its method of telling the story. Anna's views of Willow and all of the events surrounding their identities and relationship told a story of toxicity and societal pressures put upon women, particularly within creative fields where personal relationships can make or break a career.

The commentary on social powers ("They existed to be looked at, touched, stripped, prodded - and to enjoy it, to feel grateful for it") was arguably one of the highlights of this novel. I found the complexities attributes to Anna and Willow to be a bit far-fetched and some without enough explanation to pack a punch (e.g., Anna's relationship with her mother - often mentioned but barely explored). I enjoyed part I of the novel the most. Unfortunately part II and III contained twists and turns that I found to be confusing and took away momentum from the story. Perhaps if only 1 twist had been present it would have been more palatable.

My final critique was the setting of September 11, 2001. As another reviewer said, this is not a 9-11 story, but rather a story that takes place in the context of 9-11; However, I felt this piece to be lacking. I could understand how it added to the confusion surrounding Willow's disappearance, but I wonder if the same impact could have been achieved with a different large-scale event that isn't as readily available in the collective consciousness (wherein many people may have their own memories of this event that could overshadow the plot).

Overall the novel was captivating. I read it in nearly one sitting and was interested in finding out what happened. Anna is depicted well as a young woman in search of her own identity while lacking confidence and engaging in constant comparison. Likely a relatable character to many young women. Willow was unlikeable in a way that served the story (and truthfully reminded me of Jessa Johansson from HBO's Girls - a favorite) and will not soon be forgotten by anyone in or out of her social circle.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel as it has all the elements I love in a book: intrigue, jealousies, and relationship issues. It opens Anna worried that friend, Willow hasn't come home--even though she and boyfriend, Milo hired a friend to "scare" her. But because this takes place right after 9-11 and the WTC collapsing, the city is in chaos and many people are missing so they're sure she'll eventually show up. Anna and Willow initially met in a college art class and both were vying for an award from professor Kape--a known "ladies man" so of course they were rivals as well as friends. Vacillating in time between "now" and "then," the novel shows their friendship, their envy, but above all the lies that they tell to get what they believe they each deserve. Unfortunately, Milo is caught in the middle as both women "like" him and will do whatever ruthless deed it takes to win his affections. It's crazy good in its mind-blowing look at what one will do to "win" and leave others behind in its wake!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy! Unfortunately this book was just not it for me. I ended up DNFing about halfway through and looking at the spoilers for the plot. I understand this was a debut author and do not want to negatively impact the author with my review. It wasn’t a bad book, just not for me.

Wow! What a debut! I couldn’t believe this was the authors first novel. So well written, thought out and paced. I loved the back and forth of timelines and especially the twists and turns you went through. You really didn’t know what would happen until the very end. Having lived in NYC at the time part of the book was based, it really hit home and helped me really see the story as it unfolded. The characters were not all likable, but that added so much to the story and explained why they were that way. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one.

This book is a bit haunting, and stays with you long after you finish. I finished it days ago and I'm still picking apart pieces of it in my brain!

This is a very intelligent psychological thriller. Leffler's prose is rich and dark - yes, this book is VERY dark.

Toxic female friendships and relationships are some of my favorite thriller fodder, and Leffler develops hers so fully and completely that it left me dissecting the pieces for quite a while. It's hard to tell in the beginning whether Willow is just obsessed with optics and societal standing, but lets her guard down honestly and genuinely for a few very special people, of which Anna is one, or if she had an evil plan from the very beginning to use Anna to get everything she wanted in college and her future career. We've all known people who do things like that when they are jealous of a friend's talent and don't want to admit it. Could Willow have possibly sensed what an easy target Anna was, as someone who endured a serious tragedy as a child and as a result had no friends? Of course she would become obsessed with, and maybe even fall a little bit in love with, her first real best friend. And once Willow realizes what she has in Anna, she knows just how to manipulate Anna's feelings to get her to literally do anything and everything she could ever ask. Anna is obsessed.

I agree with some other reviews in that, since I'm not an art scholar, many of the references to more obscure artists, techniques, and styles were over my head. It's hard to picture something in our head when the author is comparing it to something or someone we've never heard of, and I think that will be the case for many readers who aren't art majors. But still, it's an engaging read.

SPOILER: I love the many red herrings the author employs toward the end as we learn of several different fates that may have been the undoing of Willow. Did she run away intentionally for sympathy and attention? Was she really killed in the twin tower attacks? Was she mugged like the plan was, and it went horribly wrong? Is she just shacked up with a new guy, no thought to how she might be worrying her friends? Did something happen to her at the frat house? But even still, I never imagined the one it actually turns out to be, making it loads of fun for the reader to keep guessing and second-guessing.

All in all, it's a great book, and I can see why it was selected for publishing. Congrats to you, Laura!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion for an advanced copy of Tell Them You Lied.

This is a gripping and fast pace story about friendship, tragedy and lies. I constantly thought I knew who or what was up but my jaw dropped at the last twisty turn.

This will make a good Apple TV show. I liked the exploration of toxic female relationships and the setting - NYC in the turn of the century. Really good quick read.

This book was a ride of the toxic but intoxicating relationship of Anna and Willow. It follows 2 timelines: Their time at art school and their time in New York City following school.

Anna has never had close friends and when she meets Willow at school, and she is instantly drawn to her. Willow is confident, smooth, and talented, everything Anna wants to be. But the longer Anna knows Willow, she realizes she might not know her at all. When all the secrets and lies have built up too much, Anna makes a plan to teach Willow a lesson by setting up a fake mugging. The plan is set for September 11, 2001. But once the planes hit the towers and Willow is missing, Anna is left reeling, not knowing if something went wrong with the mugging, if Willow could have been near the towers, or is this just another trick by Willow for attention?

This was a great read and kept me coming back for more. Both of the lead characters are people you love to hate. I found myself not wanting a good outcome for either of them and was totally hooked on their drama and toxicity.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Publication date is May 27, 2025.

A thrilling, suspenseful, disturbingly emotional story of toxic friendships.

Anna endures so much for validation of friendships and herself worth. Willow who goes to lengths, using secrets and lies to manipulate, but how far are they willing to go and T what cost.

I enjoyed how the author builds on the girls tragic past, how they met and brings the story forward to 2001, when Willow goes missing. The story is told with two timelines, 2001, Anna is searching for Willow and the past starting four years ago and works forward building the backstory. The past timeline was drawn out and the narration varied from first person to third person.
I enjoyed the plot around the 9/11 tragedy, as I have often wondered myself in the darkest corners of my brain, n how many used that tragedy to “vanish”, or to hide their secrets.

Thanks to Net Galley, author, and Hyperion Avenue publishing for the copy to review

Tell Them You Lied is a phenomenal exploration of friendship and self-discovery, told through the creative device of dual perspectives centered on the main character, Anna. Laura Leffler masterfully crafts a narrative that allows readers to experience Anna’s journey both subjectively and through an external lens, enriching our understanding of her character.

The story captures the complexities of friendships, particularly during pivotal moments like entering and graduating college, which mark the transition into adulthood. Leffler illustrates that maintaining these relationships requires effort from both sides, a theme that resonates deeply throughout the novel.

What struck me most was Anna’s authenticity. Despite her sometimes extreme efforts to fit in, her motivations remain genuine and relatable. As we uncover her hidden desires, it becomes painfully clear how her vulnerability makes her susceptible to manipulation by those who don’t have her best interests at heart.

Leffler hooks us into Anna’s world, allowing us to empathize with her struggles while also critiquing the dynamics of her friendships. This duality enriches the reading experience and invites reflection on the nature of trust and authenticity in relationships. Overall, Tell Them You Lied is a compelling read that leaves a lasting impact, highlighting the intricate dance of human connection.

Thank you Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Tell Them You Lied” by Laura Leffler is a dark, psychological exploration of toxic friendship, manipulation, and obsession, set against the haunting backdrop of September 11, 2001. The book dives deep into the complicated and often destructive relationship between two art school friends, Anna and Willow, as the line between reality and deception blurs. This is a book where you won’t really like any of the characters, but you will become absolutely enraptured by their relationships, especially with the twisted friendship that is the focal point of the plot.

The story alternates between two timelines—Anna and Willow’s early years in art school, where their friendship begins, and the present day, when Willow mysteriously disappears in the chaos following the 9/11 attacks. This dual structure reveals the slow unraveling of their relationship: Anna’s intense admiration for Willow, a seemingly cool and magnetic figure, morphs into envy and resentment. As Anna grows tired of Willow’s selfishness and cruelty, she decides to stage a fake mugging in a twisted attempt to knock her down a peg. But the prank, planned for the morning of September 11th, turns tragic when Willow never comes home. Did Willow fall victim to the attack, or is she still playing a sinister game with Anna?

Leffler skillfully creates an unsettling atmosphere, where the chaos of 9/11 is not just a tragic historical event but a catalyst for Anna’s internal disintegration. As Anna grapples with Willow’s disappearance, you are then drawn into her paranoia and guilt. Is Willow alive, hiding in the shadows to torment her? Or did she meet a more tragic fate? The mystery is heightened by Anna’s unreliable perspective, as she simultaneously idolizes and despises her friend. This is an extremely unique plot; I have never read a book like this before, and that made me want to read more and more. I could never predict what exactly was happening behind the scenes in both the past and the present timelines.

The toxic dynamics between Anna and Willow are the heart of the story. Leffler paints a vivid picture of their dysfunctional friendship, where Anna’s obsession with Willow’s approval leads her down a path of manipulation and revenge. Through flashbacks, we see Anna’s almost worshipful admiration for Willow slowly devolve into bitterness. Willow, on the other hand, is portrayed as an enigmatic, selfish figure who uses the people around her, treating them like puppets in her own game. This push-and-pull between the two makes for a psychologically charged story, one that is both captivating and disturbing.

While the premise is intriguing, the book’s pacing can feel uneven at times. The first half is slower, weighed down by excessive details that occasionally detract from the main plot. However, once the story picks up, it becomes a tense and unsettling ride. The characters are deeply flawed—both Anna and Willow are difficult to sympathize with, yet they are fascinating in their complexity. Leffler doesn’t shy away from creating characters you love to dislike, and she immerses the reader in their twisted world of manipulation and jealousy.

Overall, “Tell Them You Lied: is a wild, dark, and thought-provoking read. It offers a compelling examination of toxic friendship and the blurred lines between admiration and obsession, truth and lies. This debut novel from Laura Leffler is unsettling, intense, and unforgettable—a haunting exploration of what happens when art, obsession, and ambition collide.

Toxic friendships are at the center of this debut novel by Laura Leffler.

Anna and Willow met in art school, where the worldly Willow took the naïve Anna under her wing. Over the years of their friendship, they have fought, loved, and hated like sisters in a dysfunctional family. Frustrated by Willow’s current behavior, Anna decides to stage a horrifically misguided prank to knock her down a few pegs, but her timing couldn’t be worse. It is September 11th, 2001, and now Willow is missing. Is she really gone, or is Anna again her pawn in a game she didn’t know she was playing?

Told on two timelines between their time in school and 9/11, this is a compelling read. The writing feels reminiscent of Chip Kidd’s The Cheese Monkeys, especially given they are a group of artists in college trying to differentiate themselves. The timeline set during 9/11 heightens the plot's tension, and Leffler effectively conveys the panic experienced on that tragic day. This story is intriguing and would be excellent for an art-loving book group.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

WOW!!! What a great book!! This one had me hooked from page 1! This was a first for me from this author and I will not be my last! This one was a win for me!

I absolutely devoured Tell Them You Lied! It’s one of those books that you just can’t put down. The author’s writing is so captivating, and the characters are so complex and intriguing. The author did a stellar job building the story and I felt like everything was fit so perfectly. I kept telling myself one. more chapter and then I'll go to bed but then just kept on reading LOL. I do appreciate the jump ahead in the timeline which wrapped up the story perfectly.

Anna and Willow’s friendship is a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s both fascinating and terrifying to watch their dynamic unfold. I found myself cringing at Willow’s behavior, but also feeling a deep sense of empathy for Anna. It was a trainwreck toxic friendship and I couldn't put it down. As their friendship evolves, the lines between inspiration and manipulation blur, and I was immediately drawn into a fun world of artistic aspirations and personal destruction.

The dual timeline was a great choice. It added depth to the story and really helped me understand the characters' motivations.

If you’re a fan of thrillers, this book is definitely for you. It’s a twisted, addictive read. Pick it up and give it a go.

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. I was hooked from the first paragraph. This was a very fast paced mystery/YA book that I found absolutely thrilling. I needed to keep reading because I needed to know what happened. I loved the changes in time going back to things that happened in college vs today. This book had mean girls vibes. Anna has lived a friendless life in high school and finally thought she found a group of friends that accepted her. Willow, the ringleader, used this to her advantage and used Anna as a pawn in her life. Anna would do anything to be accepted and willow used that to betray her over and over again. There are so many small details that interconnect throughout the book it’s really a masterpiece and the ending is not predictable at all which made the finish of this book that much better.

Tell Them You Lied presents a dark exploration of toxic friendships, obsession, and regret, set against the backdrop of art school life and the events surrounding 9/11. While the dual timelines and messy characters offer intrigue, the narrative can feel bloated and directionless at times. The focus on art-world references and the relentless toxicity between characters may alienate some readers, making it hard to connect emotionally. Though part two introduces a satisfying twist, the characters' lack of growth and the convoluted relationships can be frustrating. A compelling but uneven read that’s more about emotional turmoil than plot resolution.