A great twist - really enjoyed how both stories were intertwined. Slightly different but very enjoyable

Thank you to the author, Cate Holahan, the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of "Lies She Told."

I rated this book five stars because how many authors can write not just one but <b>TWO</b> enthralling psychological thrillers in one book?! Cate Holahan has managed to package two parallel and eventually intertwined psychological thriller stories into the confines of one book artfully and masterfully. Both stories are also amazingly delicious and juicy. I could <b>not</b> put this book down.

The story starts off with Liza, a moderately successful mystery/crime writer who is in a not so happy marriage to David, a high profile lawyer. Liza is struggling to write a book after experiencing a lack-luster response to her latest thriller, which has been difficult to swallow given the bestseller success of her first book. She is also struggling to get pregnant, and subjects herself to painful, mind-altering fertility treatments that sometimes leave her questioning her own sanity. David has been unwilling to be close with Liza, placing more stress on her as she pursues fulfilling her wish to conceive a child.

The second story in the book is about Beth and Jake who are also facing marital difficulties among many other issues, one of which includes Jake's infidelities. Jake, like David, is an attorney who works long hours. Beth is stuck at home caring for her baby, Vicky, and is struggling with serious post-partum depression. Stuck in the drudgery of caring for an infant in isolation while her husband is putting long hours in at work, Beth starts spying on Jake and discovers he is cheating on her with a cop involved in one of his cases.

I try to avoid spoilers in my reviews, but let's just say the lives of Liza and Beth collide and parallel one another as the book comes to crescendo. The scenario in which their lives intersect was shocking but completely realistic - the best formula for an exciting psychological thriller!

A <b>HUGE</b> kudos to Cate Holahan for bringing this story to a fantastic, exciting close. I literally read the book on every work break today because the ending was so fabulous. Her characters are vivid and real despite their character flaws, and the atmosphere and setting is intricate and detailed (especially for a book that is essentially a book within a book). I can't wait to get my hands on Holahan's other books!

Suspenseful and filled with multiple twists. From one page to the next, you become entrenched in a tale that leaves you wondering what is real and what isn't. A must for readers who enjoyed The Girl on the Train.

Great read! The author wove the book-as-plot into the book itself very, very well. And I loved the ending - not too pat, and certainly not rushed. I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of Lies She Told through NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Cate Holahan for the opportunity.

The book alternates chapters between Liza, a “romantic suspense” (her words) author, and Beth, the main character of her latest book. The alternating storylines were a nice twist and keeps the reader on their toes by trying to keep them straight. As the book progresses, the storylines seemed to come together, have many parallels and similar/familiar characters, and I was convinced that storylines would merge into one smooth plot.

The ending was disappointingly farfetched and could have been better. The plot was strong and engaging for 2/3 of the book. But for the last third, when I expected a strong finish, loose ends tied and questions answered, I felt the end lacked the substance that the plot was building up to. The ending was very surprising. Liza discovers from her childhood friend Chris that her bestselling novel was based on her repressed, sad, and morbid memories (that Chris had to tell her, which she then recalled) and that her loving, supportive husband was cheating on her with closeted gay college best friend and law partner. These revelations are carelessly tossed at the reader at the very end with no clues sprinkled throughout to give the reader any indication that these twists are occurring.

It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but a good story with slow and steady building plot and an unexpected (and some might feel disappointing) ending.

First of all, I love the cover and title. It took me a little while to get used to the toggling between Liza and Beth and I had to concentrate so that I didn't lose focus on who I was reading about. Overall, I enjoyed this suspenseful tale of a formerly successful author trying to write her next bestseller. But the lines of fiction and reality become seriously blurred. The middle of the story and build-up had me glued although I found the ending a little weak. I would read more from this author. 3.5 stars.
I received this galley in exchange for a honest review.

A story within a story, both interconnected. An author is writing a thriller about a new Mother who believes that her husband has started an affair and is going to abandon her. The author's husband has recently "lost" his partner and is distraught and overwhelmed by all of it. She is feeling neglected and ignored. One thing leads to another and deaths occur. I won't go any further because of spoilers, but it is very well written and captivating. The ending even offers twists that are unexpected and believable. Thanks to Net Galley and Crooked Lane for an ARC for an honest review.

An okay read and a descent story which I would have rated higher with a better ending.

Lies She Told is a thrilling, gripping novel right from the start. Full of twists and turns, the novel is told through alternating storylines that blur the line between fiction and reality. Holahan skillfully weaves the two stories together, keeping the suspense high while leading to an unexpected, yet satisfying conclusion. The ending is slightly cliche but the overall uniqueness of the novel, along with Holahan's writing style, really make Lies She Told and exceptional read.

I've enjoyed reading this book. Despite the fact that it was a little confusing at times between the two characters, the real world and the imaginary one, you get swept into it and get attached to both the characters. I think the book is well written as you can feel the claustrophobic atmosphere surrounding Liza and Beth .The ending was well plotted as I didn't see that coming. It has been a pleasure reading 'Lies She Told Me' and I would definitely recommend this book. The only thing that I find out of place was when Beth breast fed her baby on the curb, while observing her husband in the restaurant. I find that action a little strange. But this book merits a five star. I'll be writing a review on Amazon.fr under the name of citi. Thank you for letting me read this book in advance.

Hooked me from the beginning! Fast pace thriller with characters that kept me guessing until the end!

The concept was interesting but it was a bit confusing switching between "real" life and the character's novel she was outlining. Throw in an obligatory emotional disorder (more than one actually) and the result is a but messy.

Very good book! Loved the parallel stories, including how easy it was to keep them straight, and how it raised the suspense a little. I really enjoyed the ending especially, as I didn't want to see Beth taken from her baby.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Had a hard time putting this book down! The way it's written it's different from anything I've read, which makes it fun. Liza is writing a fiction novel which also living out her own drama. Some of it was a bit predictable, but some of it I didn't see coming at all! In the end, the story and the ending is a bit far fetched (which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5) but that just makes it all the more of an intriguing read. Wonderful for the beach this summer!

Firstly, thanks go as always to NetGalley and the publisher and author for allowing me a pre release copy of this book.

The novel centres around Liza, a best selling thriller author who has struggled to match the success of her debut book, and is also undergoing fertility treatment as she and her Husband try desperately for a baby, while her Husband's friend and business partner, Nick, has been missing for several weeks. Liza is currently in the midst of writing her next book - a thriller about the mother of a new born baby girl, Beth, who catches her lawyer Husband cheating on her with a police officer from one of the cases he worked on.

I'm not going to go into too much detail about the plot, as I don't think I can trust myself to do that without giving away spoilers - something which I really don't want to do. The book's chapters alternate between Liza's story and that of her character, Beth. While, admittedly, it got a little confusing as to just who I was reading about at the start, I settled into a rhythm and started getting through the pages. That said, for the first while there wasn't really a lot happening with either character. Liza was depressed at not being able to conceive and her Husband had appeared to pretty much lose interest as different fertility treatments had failed to yeild any results. While Beth was suffering from Post Natal depression. And if I'm honest, it was starting to get a little tedious. Then something happens! And that starts a whole cascade of twists and turns that really picks up the pace of the book. Now, I'm intrigued, interested, and absolutely desperate to know where this is going to go.

Hats off to Cate Holahan for turning what started out in the first third to be a dull book into what was, in the last third, a true thriller - extra stars for that. Extra stars also for not only writing one thriller, but writing two in the same book. It certainly couldn't have been easy writing a story about Liza while simultaniously writing Liza's book about Beth.

Oh look I've gone and confused myself again!

All you need to know is: it's a really good book once you get past the slow start.

I actually give this 3 1/2 stars. I really wish that you were able to put a 1/2 star on here. I found this book written so interestingly. I liked that every other chapter was Liza story and the next chapter was the book she was writing. The book she is writing during this book is really a parallel to her life. Liza is really good at suppressing memories but her subconscious tries it's hardest to make her not forget. I was not satisfied with the ending of either the main story of Liza or the book she was writing. I felt it left a lot still unanswered. I did enjoy the book and would read more by this author.

What a compelling story! I would recommend this to any suspense/thriller readers.

Lies She Told is a fabulous read. The story is artfully woven between two women, two lives, two goals. But which is really fiction? Cate Holahan's novel gripped me from page one. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it, and wishing I could get back to it. Every page was a treat, culminating in a satisfying conclusion. It's the kind of book you need to read a second time, to savour the details, and fully appreciate the wonderful writing.

The prologue grips you tight and never lets go. This taut thriller is masterfully crafted. Alternating storylines keep the tension high and the pages turning at a quick pace. Like most stories in this format the author begins to blend the storylines as the plot unfolds. However, the second storyline in this book is actually being written by the main character. It is a very interesting concept, one that I'm sure happens often with writers as they blur the lines between fantasy and reality.

The pace of the story is slow and methodical at first, but it quickly picks up in the second half of the book. I often found myself having to stop and think for a minute about which storyline I was actually reading. There are many twists and turns throughout that come with deeper character development, and these help to push to a shocking and satisfying conclusion.

I would recommend this book to fans of thrillers and suspense. I received this as a free ARC from Crooked Lane Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic read. I couldn't put it down and lost sleep because I didn't want to stop reading!