What could possibly go wrong going on a cruise with your sister you haven’t talked to in years?! 🧍🏽‍♀️

✨ cults scare me ✨

Overall a good read! Fast paced and I just wanted to know what was happening.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story had me guessing all the way along. The cult-like atmosphere on the boat was a bit creepy. All the interactions with good and bad people were intriguing. With revenge, spite, and more behind the reasons for the new people being brought in, I did not quite expect some of the outcomes. I was drawn into the story and got caught up in the events.

I received a copy through Netgalley and Xpresso Tours, and this is my unsolicited review.

This was much more fun than I expected.

I mean...I am so tired of the whole podcaster storyline. But what I thought was a cruise ship storyline wasn't and I was very surprised by what it was!

The book definitely has its twists, some warped characters, and was definitely fun.

While a few of the reveals were eventually a little expected, I still enjoyed them.

Would happily read the author again!

If You Lie by Caleb Stephens

I don’t think that I’ve yelled at book this much since I read Local Woman Missing! I devoured my first Caleb Stephens book in a day. Dark-twisty page turner with more than a few jaw-drops!!

Thanks #NetGalley for the early read!

If you like Noelle Ihli or Steph Nelson then you’ll love this book too.

Ok y’all listen up, I am quick to figure out a Thriller’s plot arc within the first 20-30 pages or so, BUT not with this book. I was so sure that I had it all figured out about 30-40 pages in, and oh I was soo wrong!! I binge read If You Lie in five hours! I could not put the dang book down, and sat there afterwards just shook. What a wild story.

Olivia is a true crime podcaster who previously escaped the grasp of a killer. Meeting up with her estranged sister, Quinn, as a plus one on the exclusive yacht owned by a New Age Cult, XClivity. What is supposed to be a chance to reconnect and bury the hatchet with Quinn, quickly turns into her worst nightmare. Olivia has a feeling that something isn’t quite right, and the natural born sleuth in her can’t leave it alone. As Olivia starts to put the puzzle pieces together you get twists and surprises that you’ll never see coming.

Part locked room thriller, part cult story, part revenge and a whole lot of gasping and yelling because this one will throw you for loop after loop. Add this to your TBR stat, you won’t want to miss this!

4.5 stars

Discovering a new author always makes me so happy, and right now I'm beyond thrilled. When I read the blurb for this one, there was no way I wouldn't want to read it, it sounded very intriguing.

This one kept me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning and with each new twist, it's claws sunk deeper and deeper. I never knew what was going to happen from one page to the next.

The ending was just perfect and left me eager for more

I struggled with this one a little bit. I loved the concept and it had all the makings of something amazing but I had a really hard time getting into and I really wanted to love this book.

There is a great thriller aspect to it but it was all so unbelievable. I kept waiting for it to turn in more of a joke… an I got ya! But it didn’t.

I didn’t like any of the characters unfortunately but loved the cult aspect. It just seemed to drag but I wanted to keep going and see where it was taking me. I didn’t dislike by any means but just didn’t love it.

Thank you NetGalley and Thrillerscape Press for the early copy!

This was a fun read overall. The character of Olivia was the worst tho. You would think with all her true crime knowledge she would be able to make right choices and calls. I did skip some of the non pivotal parts of the book that didn’t seem relevant to the plot. The twist was good tho.

If You Lie by Caleb Stephens is an addictive popcorn thriller that plunges readers into a darkly captivating blend of cult-like mystique, buried secrets, and relentless suspense. Seven years after barely escaping a harrowing ordeal, Olivia is no stranger to danger. Now a true-crime podcaster, she’s on a mission to help others avoid her fate. But when her estranged sister Quinn invites her on a luxury cruise, Olivia sees an opportunity to relax. Yet, the “floating paradise” soon reveals a chilling side, especially as her sister and fellow passengers grow unsettlingly intense in their friendliness.

The setting—a cruise ship that feels increasingly like a prison—proves ideal for the story’s high-stakes twists. Olivia quickly realizes she’s in a deadly game, where danger lurks beneath the ship’s glossy veneer. I loved the wild, intriguing mix of cult and MLM elements that, while over-the-top, still feel disturbingly plausible. This twist on a familiar thriller trope felt fresh and layered with suspense.

Though If You Lie doesn’t dive deep into character development and may not be the most literary of thrillers, it’s undeniably fun and captivating, especially with Olivia’s sharp instincts guiding her through the story. Her background, though slightly overdone with the podcaster trope, makes sense in the plot and adds to her complexity. Her trauma and keen insight into danger kept me hooked, especially when her questions about the cruise matched my own, making her a relatable and engaging character.

The ending is a fantastic payoff, tying the story’s threads together with plenty of twists and red herrings. Although I saw some turns coming, a few surprises caught me off guard, keeping me doubting my theories. The book also touches on modern shifts toward self-help and mindfulness, adding a timely layer that felt subtly insightful. This thriller is perfect for anyone looking for a fast-paced, twisty read—ideal for fans of cult intrigue and suspense-filled adventures!

Thank you to Thrillerscape Press, Caleb Stephens, and Netgalley for providing a copy of this ARC!

If You Lie: A Thriller by Caleb Stephens is a taut, heart-racing story that plunges readers into a perilous setting aboard a boat where trust is as unstable as the waters around it. Stephens masterfully keeps readers on edge, with each character casting doubt about their intentions, making it impossible to know who can be trusted.

For a shorter thriller, If You Lie delivers just the right amount of suspense, intrigue, and pacing. Stephens wastes no time diving into the action, creating a story that is concise yet full of tension. Readers who enjoy the challenge of unraveling motives and second-guessing every twist will find this thriller especially satisfying.

In summary, If You Lie is a fast-paced, intense read that keeps you guessing to the very last page. Caleb Stephens has crafted a compelling thriller perfect for anyone seeking a quick but suspenseful escape.

If You Lie starts off intense and with this book has very unique storyline. I was captured by our main character, Olivia, and her resilience and steadfast nature even in the face of confusion and betrayal.

The plot is very unique in the sense that it takes place on a boat and how the storyline progresses as the truth comes to light. The character unraveling was so wild and it just kept me eager to keep on reading.

I truly did not see the plot twist coming and the last 30% I flew through because of how intense the tension built up! I had to know what happened.

I also really loved the ending, too. All in all, this was a solid fast paced thriller with complex characters and relationships and I’d definitely recommend it for thriller readers that want to check out a unique story!

Thank you NetGalley and Thrillerscape Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If the opening chapter of If You Lie doesn’t grab you’re attention you must not like thrillers. Olivia’s escape from the trunk was a heck of a way to introduce a character. Then things shift. It’s seven years later and she is meeting up with her estranged sister. Have to say it felt like an odd transition, but as we board the ship and we meet Olvia’s sister, Quinn, and the rest of the passengers I knew I was in for a wild ride. Trippy is how I’d describe this one. And while the stories are different the vibe of this story kind of reminded me of the recent movie Blink Twice. The story, the interaction with the members of Xclivity left me puzzled and disturbed. The story takes twists and turns I didn’t expect. I believe this was my first time reading anything by Caleb Stephens and I must say I’m impressed. I’ll need to find time to check out some of his earlier works. I’d like to thank Thrillerscape Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of If You Lie.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RDB35LZYUB8A2/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I really liked Olivia. The story is good and fast paced. Some aspects of the plot are really unique. I did figure out some of the twists fairly early. However the last third of the story flows with so much tension I couldn't put it down. I really loved the ending.

If You Lie by Caleb Stephens is a quick and interesting read.
I was hooked on this book from the start. And the writing made it even harder to put this book down.
I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters.
The characters were vivid, realistic, unique and very compelling.
The tension and suspense kept me glued to my seat.
This is a captivating read for fans of psychological thrillers craving a twisty and suspenseful narrative.
I’ve enjoyed Stephens previous titles and this one was just as good as the others.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I am a little late on reviewing but I could not go without leaving an encouraging review for others to get this book tomorrow! The writing style in this book is really easy to follow and while you may feel like you can't get into it at first, just wait. This book was full to the brim of twists and turns, creating a psychological thriller you're not going to be able to put down. Following Olivia through this story will keep you hooked throughout, lots of mending toxic relationships, healing family drama and navigating every dark twist! I love that Olivia is a true crime podcaster, I feel it makes it more intriguing in a psychological thriller to see how they handle their own conflict with crises. This book was absolutely a 5 star for me and I don't think anyone will be disappointed in reading this!

Wow! Caleb Stephens does it again with another phenomenal final girl. Absolutely loved this story. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and gasping at every turn. Highly recommend

Olivia, you rock and keep going 👏🏻👏🏻

Seven years after she was almost murdered, Olivia is now a true crime podcaster, where she helps solve crimes and find missing people. Her estranged older sister Quinn reaches out to her, hoping to mend their broken bond by inviting her onto a cruise where she will meet Quinns future husband. But very quickly, Olivia realises that the people on board are part of a cult. And not everyone is going to make it off the ship alive. But how do you escape a ship filled with cult members?

I was so excited to read this one, and I was not disappointed. I knew it was going to be good from the very first chapter. It was filled with characters we didn't know if we could trust, twists and turns galore and a nice new fear of ever going on a boat. I've read a lot of cult stories, but never one that took place on a boat, and I loved the fact it put a unique spin on it. I also loved that when you scan the QR code at the end of the book, it leads you to an extra bonus epilogue which was a great ending, but also makes me want a second book.
I highly recommend this one, and if you haven't already, go check out this authors other books as they are equally as good.

This book is so good! There were so many twists that kept me guessing. I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Firstly, I’m a sucker for books about podcasters, an oddly specific but thoroughly enjoyable niche, so I was immediately hooked. This was such a fun, fast paced read. I struggled to put it down because of all the twists and turns. The author does such a great job of creating a very believable cult - it had very nxivm vibes to it. The cruise ship was a fitting choice, both in creating an isolated location, and showing the huge wealth of the cult leaders.

Olivia is a true crime podcaster, who is widely known due to her own experience as a victim of an attempted murder. She is invited by her sister, Quinn, on a cruise to celebrate Quinn’s engagement. But Olivia soon discovers that the cruise is far more exclusive, culty, and dangerous than she assumed.

4.5 stars rounded up.

☆ARC REVIEW☆
Publication date: November 1, 2024.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


'If You Lie' was one of the best cult-thrillers I've read in a very long time. It was action-packed from the first sentence to the last sentence. This book was super fast-paced, and the extra bit you receive when signing up for Caleb’s newsletter is 1000% worth it, and it had my jaw-dropping! This was my first Caleb Stephens book but definitely won't be my last!!


"Sometimes life's wounds cut so deep they never fully heal."


Thank you to NetGalley, @calebstephensauthor, and Thrillerscape Press for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.