This is a really excellent female friendship story and mystery/suspense, perfect as we enter pool/beach reading season! Great characters and intriguing connections in the story.

This books gives all the sunny California vibes, with the story of two nomad women who are sisters by choice. They make their living by way of small time thievery and conning unsuspecting men. However they have chosen the wrong man in Michael Forrester. When Leo doesn't return after her night with Michael, Summer is forced to follow her to a private island that he owns. Con artists are not my favorite fictional characters, but I did really like Summer. I found she put her talent to creative use in tracking down Leo. Did things go her way that shouldn't have? Yes. Did I believe she could really get away with half of the stunts she pulled? No. That being said, the book flowed nicely with an interesting timeline where Summer and Leo's stories are always a day a part, and the billionaire-owned, private island setting added a Fantasy Island type of feel to the book. What I enjoyed most was the close connection between the two women. Here is a quote that resonated with me: "Home is a person, not a place, and everything we need is here, no matter where we go."

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this book. Finished in just a couple of days, which is quick for me. It gave me a look into the freespirit lifestyle I never dreamt of. The back and forth and scheming in this book was great. I definitely enjoyed it.

This book was so, so, so good! It was very tense tale about the bonds of friendship and the lengths people will go through for their found family, and this book had so many twists and turns that I had NO idea what was next or how it was.s going to end. I loved it, and I can't wait to read whatever she puts out next!

"You Can Trust Me" by Wendy Heard is a thrilling ride through the sun-drenched landscapes of California, blending elements of friendship, freedom, and betrayal into a narrative that captivates and surprises at every turn. This novel explores the deep bond between Summer and Leo, two women who have found solace and strength in each other's company amid the challenges they've faced. Their life on the road, marked by small-time crimes and the pursuit of freedom, is a testament to their resilience and determination to escape the shadows of their pasts.

The plot takes a dramatic turn when Leo sets her sights on Michael Forrester, a billionaire whose wealth and influence present an opportunity too good to pass up. Leo's disappearance after securing an invitation to Forrester's private island catapults Summer into a desperate search for her friend, leading to a gripping investigation that is as much about uncovering the truth as it is about self-discovery.

Wendy Heard masterfully crafts a story that is as unpredictable as it is engaging. The transition from the freedom of the open road to the isolating luxury of a private island is executed with a tension that keeps the reader on edge. Summer's infiltration of the island to find Leo introduces a maze of deceit and danger, with the realization that their pursuit of freedom has led them into a trap far more complex than their usual cons.

The strength of "You Can Trust Me" lies in its richly developed characters. Summer and Leo are not just partners in crime; they are reflections of each other's desires, fears, and unyielding spirit. Their friendship is the heart of the story, driving the narrative forward and giving it emotional depth. The portrayal of Michael Forrester adds layers of ambiguity to the plot, challenging the reader's perceptions and expectations.

Heard's writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the essence of the settings and the internal turmoil of the characters with equal skill. The suspense builds steadily, with twists that are both surprising and satisfyingly plausible. The novel delves into themes of trust, loyalty, and the lengths to which people will go for those they love, posing compelling questions about the nature of freedom and the cost of survival.

"You Can Trust Me" is a testament to Wendy Heard's ability to weave a tale that is both a psychological thriller and a poignant exploration of human connection. It is a story that resonates with the complexities of trust and deception, set against a backdrop that is as beautiful as it is menacing. This novel is a must-read for fans of thrillers that not only entertain but also provoke thought and challenge expectations. Summer's journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the indomitable will to fight for those we hold dear.

You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard is a very fast- paced thriller in an unusual setting with 2 gifted grifters and billionaires! I loved it and read through it so fast and couldn't wait to buy a copy for my mom to read! She loved it too. It's a 5-star thriller with an emphasis on friendship.
Highly recommend!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

I recently had the pleasure of diving into You Can Trust Me, a thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The author's storytelling and ability to create tension and suspense had me hooked from the very first page. The characters were well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations, adding depth to the plot.

What I particularly enjoyed about the book was the twists and turns that kept me guessing, making it hard to put the book down once I started reading. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a thrilling ride filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected surprises.

You Can Trust Me is a story about two young women who live a life of pickpocketing and flirtation to make sure they make it day-by-day. This is going great until one girl, Leo, flirts with a billionaire and goes to his island with him. Then disappears. It’s up to her best friend, Summer, to trick her way on to the island and find her.

I read a review that said they expected the girls to be a lot smarter due to the way they lived their life and I have to agree. Honestly, you’d think that they’d know not to trust anyone and that there HAS to be cameras all over the place. He’s a billionaire for crying out loud, of course you’re not going to do anything without him knowing. It was a good book but I’m not very tempted at running out and telling all my friends.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Held my attention the whole time & got unexpectedly dark the last 10-15%. 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.

Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This plot is totally absurd and completely silly. Several characters make dumb decisions. Twist was predictable.

This was a really unique storyline and I did enjoy it, but it wasn't anything crazy great. I liked reading about the cons that these women ran and reading from two points of view.

This book grabbed me from the start. I always enjoy a clever plot about con artists.

This follows Leo and Summer that live thenomad life as they cruise down the California coastline. In order to survive, they earn their living from pickpocketing and targeting the rich/ wealthy.

Leo finds her new mark, a philanthropist and self billionaire. Leo thinks she has found the jackpot. She gets invited to his exclusive island only to find out she can’t escape. Meanwhile Summer has not heard from Leo in days and finds her way to the island as well in search of her friend. What happens next is an intense, wild and twisty trip.

Thank you Netgalley & Random House Publishing - Ballantine for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This plot was admittedly absurd. Sugar babies, sugar daddies, evil rich people, a mysterious island. But goodness gracious was it enthralling. It was almost like a more ridiculous, sexier Knives Out. Adored it.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

I was coming off of a book slump and I needed something that would grab me from early on. You Can Trust Me was such a compelling, multi-layered mystery. The author was great at keeping the reader guessing and never revealing too much about Summer's past. The writing style was crisp and I loved the intensity of the scenes and dialogue. The villain was a little over the top, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. Definitely a 4.5 star read.

This one is gooood! A really unique and twisty story. Two, ahem, adventurous young women who are used to getting by stealing and pickpocketing their way through life find they've hit the jackpot with a couple of wealthy men. The secrets the men are holding are the real treasure trove, however. Highly recommend this book!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Summer and Leo, two women who wander around California and have no home. Two con artists who sleep in Summer's Land Rover. Summer is an expert pick pocket and Leo is learning some new skills from Summer. Then one night, Leo attempts to con the millionaire Michael Forrester and ends up traveling with him to his private island and Summer becomes concerned when she doesn't come home or contact her.
A thriller that kept my interest, despite being somewhat predictable. This would be a great read for summer.

3.5 stars rounded up
This was a face paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the friendship between the two main characters, Summer and Leo. This was my first book by the author, but it won't be my last. If your looking for a bingeable thriller I would definitely recommend this one.