I recently found Carla Buckley's work, and I must say, I am a fan!

Lives collide in Paradise in Buckley's newest thriller. Sara Lennox lands in an apartment complex, called Paradise, in North Carolina's The Outerbanks. Ironically, Sara has less than desirable neighbors and her digs are not reflective of what we envision paradise to be. Against her wishes, Lennox is part of the Witness Protection Program and is biding her time until testifying after which she will spend the rest of her life with a new identity and alone.

Enter Boon and Cassie, the children that live next door. Living in an abusive situation, they, like Sara, are lost. Perhaps Sara feels a kinship with them based on circumstance, but when a hurricane hits The Outerbanks, Sara is faced with a difficult choice. Does she escape alone or help the children she feels may need her?

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this great book in exchange for an honest review.

The Liar’s Child
My thanks to #NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review. The Liar’s Child, by Carla Buckley was eagerly anticipated as I loved Deepest Secret. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Liar’s Child. There were certain aspects I really enjoyed, but overall, I think the plot just fell flat—especially at the end. I was terribly disappointed in this book. I just kept wanting more. I wanted the characters to go a little deeper, I wanted the plot to be a little richer. I was good, but there were so many chances for it to have been much better. It was all just dishwater grey without a spark of light.

Huge fan of Carla Buckley. I read all of her books and loved them. I hate to say that this was not one of my favorites. I usually love books that I alternate between characters but not this one. At times I was confused and wondered what that person had to do with the story. That person would be Hank. He shows up in the beginning and his purpose isn’t fully explained until much later on. The story seemed interesting at first, with Sara being in the Federal Witness Program. Unfortunately, Sara was not very likable. I never got to really know her and didn’t feel like I would want to. I felt horrible for Boon. He’s such a lovable little boy, with his scruffy Wolf always in his arms. He’s gone through so much in his short life and is lucky to be alive. I kept hoping someone would get that rash looked at by a doctor. Cassie was just screaming for help, but no one was listening. I still can’t believe she was only twelve. Their mom had mental issues and their dad left them alone all hours to work, I knew something bad would happen. There were so many storylines going on plus a hurricane. The Nelsons could have been a separate book with all the issues that family had. The ending was so disappointing. Nothing was resolved for me. What happened to Sara?

I recommend the book, it just wasn’t for me. I didn’t hate it, but also didn’t love it like the author’s previous books.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and the author, Carla Buckley, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like it going into it, and after reading it, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Part of me really enjoyed it, and another part of me is confused and disappointed. I have no idea.

This good was unputdownable, until the very end. Didn't care for the end at all. Three stars, but I would like to specify that it's because of the very end - the writing itself was sublime.

I’ve read ‘The Deepest Secret’ by this author and thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, for me this book did not live up to my expectations. I found the story slow moving until mid way thru when the Hurricane hit. From here, it took off at a much faster pace. It is in no way a cheerful read, it’s a down-on-your-luck sad read. The last chapter and the Epilogue were more hopeful. But, I finished it with too many questions. Story is told in 4 voices, until the Epilogue.

I really did not like most of the characters, except for Boon, an adorable little boy caught in a bad situation along with his sister, Cassie, a teenager with major attitude, rightfully so but needing her parents to step up and parent. Whit, the Dad, who tries to keep everyone happy. Diane, the Mom, who is selfish and self-centered. Sara, trying to save herself in the Witness Protection Program. Hank, an ex-cop with a past that we learn about late.

I do enjoy Ms. Buckley’s story telling and look forward to reading her again. Thanks to NegGalley, the author and Ballantine Books for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

I was so excited to read this book. I had read the blurb and thought “This could be a good book”. And guess what, it was a good as I thought it was going to be.

I am going to come straight out and say it, this book was amazing. It was everything that I thought it was going to be and then some. The book is slow to start and I would hate it but in this case, it was needed. There was so much background that the author needed to build up before the story got going. And when the story got going, it didn’t stop.

Family dynamics were a huge focal point in The Liar’s Child. Cassie and Boon had a dysfunctional family. By the descriptions given, it seemed like she was bipolar at the least. She was also known to take off with the kids. Hank, their father, was the only stable person in their lives but he worked a ton of hours. He was never around. I had no doubt that this was the reason why Cassie started hanging around with the kids that she did. I also don’t doubt that was the reason why Boon was the way he was.

Sarawas an enigma. The author made it a point of not releasing a ton of information about her background. Heck, even her name was fake. She was in the Witness Protection program because of a case that she had no choice but to testify in. It was that or jail. Sara was at The Paradise under duress.

To be honest, I didn’t like Sara very much during the book. She was always scheming, seeing who could get her what. She formed friendships to get things. Take her friendship with her boss. She used it to get to her computer and to steal booze from the customers. Let’s not forget to add that she used her boss’s boyfriend to get laid and get a car. I also wanted to know why she was so hot to get out of the Witness Protection program. I understand that she chafed at being watched but hello, she got involved with human trafficking. Which is a bad thing.

I did feel bad for Cassie. She was acting out, hardcore. At 12, she shouldn’t have had to step into her mother’s shoes. While I didn’t agree with how she rebelled (sleeping around, doing drugs, skipping school) but I definitely could understand why. She did love Boon and she did try to protect him. But she also resented him. There were times in the book where I thought that she was going to need a good therapist.

Hank came across as a pushover. He allowed his wife to do whatever she wanted and chose to turn a blind eye to what she was doing. Even when she almost killed Boon, he still coddled her. It should have been a relief when she left. But it seemed to add more stress to him. I didn’t understand exactly why he was so stressed out until the end of the book. That’s when I did an “aha“. But, even that wasn’t what it seemed.

The plotline with the hurricane was almost anti-climatic compared to what was going on with the people. I liked that it didn’t take over the book but instead was the background for everything that happened after the middle.

I am still trying to figure out why Sara decided to take the kids. It wasn’t because she wanted to rescue them or felt bad for them. She felt that they were a pain in the butt and told them so. So why did she? I know that she saw a lot of herself in Cassie. So maybe that called to her. Who knows.

The book wrapped up on a happy note. I was happy to see everyone was thriving and doing well. I wasn’t happy to see that Hank was where he was but I understood why he did it. Never underestimate a parent’s love for their child.

I would give The Liar’s Child an Adult rating. There is sex (not graphic). There is language. There is violence. There are triggers. They would be the abandonment of a parent, death of a parent, horrific accident involving a child, dealing children services, destruction from a hurricane, underage sex, talk of drug use and a child becoming ill. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread The Liar’s Child. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Liar’s Child.

All opinions stated in this review of The Liar’s Child are mine.

Pretty good, but I wanted to know more about Sara and what happens to her. But this was suspenseful and I stayed up late promising myself "just one more chapter."

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing a digital copy of this novel. This book hooked me from page one! This novel leans to being more of a family drama than a mystery, but there is much to be unraveled that keeps the plot moving along. The characters feel authentic, and the point of view the author uses creates a delicate balance between their harsh exterior and their softer, more uncertain core. At first read, the end felt a little abrupt, but upon further reflection, I think I just didn't want it to end. There was more I wanted to know about the characters and the path they traveled. Really enjoyed this and will seek at more from this author, Highly recommended!

This was good! The plot was interesting and the characters were well rounded. I loved Boon, he stole the show for me. There are some surprises I wasn’t expecting. It had drama and with the impending storm, a sense of urgency and suspense. The conclusion was satisfying although a bit abrupt. It was a nice break from all the psychological thrillers.

This was my first book by the author but won’t be my last. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy in exchange for a review.

The Liar's Child by Carla Buckley is was complete mess.
Story lines that dead end, characters that do not belong and a ending that doesn't make any sense.
I will not recommend The Liar's Child.

Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.

With an impending hurricane howling at their backs, a woman races to keep herself and two abandoned children out of harm's way.  The urgency of the situation is there, impossible decisions have to be made.  Parallels are nicely drawn and the dialogue rings true.  The ending was strangely unsatisfying for me, as though someone had slipped some sugar in my coffee when I wasn't looking.

Be sure you have plenty of time, because once you start this book you will need to finish it. Many twists, turns and surprises along the way to a surprise ending. There was a couple of times I wanted to shout at the father you are an idiot get with the program.

The Liar's Child was a book that made me want to stay up and read it all night to find out the surprising ending.. I recently vacationed in the Outer Banks and was happy to find out that this was the setting of this book. There were many twists and turns in this psychological thriller. I enjoyed this book and will recommend it to my patrons at the library.

4.5*
Whit Nelson is struggling to hold his family together. His wife, not exactly mother of the year, is gone and his twelve year old daughter Cassie has entered the Goth phase! (Oh joy). His younger son Boon is petrified to get into the family car having being left inside for hours by his mother. Can Whit keep his family together? Or is the damage irreparable.

Sara Lennox has unwillingly entered the witness protection program. Placed in a less than desirable apartment complex ironically called Paradise, located in a sleepy beach-side town in North Carolina. Coincidentally, it just happens to be the same complex as Whit and his children.

Hank is the towns’ retired sheriff, still grieving the death of his wife and the loss of his only son. Now it’s become his personal mission to help find all lost children since he couldn’t help his own.

Worlds are about to collide!

This was my first book by Carla Buckley . She writes a riveting, positively suspenseful read that will pin you to the edge of your seat! Told from multiple POV’s - that includes anyone with maybe a little something to hide.

I was instantly caught up in the story, excited to see how both stories would intersect!
And when they did… Wow! Totally unexpected! This is so much more than just a thriller. Expect to be pulled in and vested in these characters! As for Boon, you will absolutely fall in love with him! I know I did!

I will definitely be looking for more from this author! Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Carla Buckley for granting my wish for an ARC to read and review.

Sara moves to the Outer Banks as part of the witness protection program. She’s street smart and good at hiding things. She soon learns that her new neighbors are hiding things too.

When a category 3 hurricane strikes Sara has to make some decisions that will affect all of their lives.

All in all, it was a good read. The ending seemed a little too neat and rushed but other than that, very enjoyable.

Oh wow. Put some time away for this book. It has all the ingredients for a terrific psychological thriller.

No spoilers from me. Book is great with lots of lies, deception, tragedy, and twists. Also, loved the unpredictable ending. Can't say enough great about this. Read it today!!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this fabulous book.

Received an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review. T

his was a powerhouse of a book. Wonderfully believable characters, suspenseful plot setting was real. I didn't want to end. Solid five.

This was a very enjoyable book. Easy to relate to all of the characters. Really showed the cyclical events beginning with early trauma.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Sara Lennox is the daughter of a con man, and knows how to lie as easily as telling the truth. As she plots to escape the witness protection program, she gets drawn into the life of her neighbors, a family with big problems of their own. With spare, beautiful writing, Buckley describes the lives of children and grown-ups living on the edge of desperation, each coping with their past mistakes and current secrets. THE LIAR'S CHILD is an intricately woven story, bleak and mysterious and well worth reading. I also recommend Buckley's prior work, THE GOOD GOODBYE.