2.5 stars

Seven Lies by Elizabeth Kay  is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penguin/Random House Canada, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

Jane and Marnie have been friends since they were twelve.  Even when they went off to different universities, they spoke every day.  There were so many secrets to share, so many things to tell each other.  After university, they lived together for a time.  Jane was sure that nothing would ever come between their friendship.  But eventually something did.

His name was Charles, and he swept Marnie off her feet.  Jane was going through her own hell, but Charles took precedence with Marnie.  But Jane was sure Marnie would wake up soon, so even when Marnie needed her reassurance that she and Charles were a perfect match,  Jane lied and said she agreed.  This was the first lie that lead to the others...for Jane detested Charles.


My Opinions:   

Okay,  I think I will be in the minority on this one.  I didn't like it.  This book seemed to drag.  It was definitely a slow-burner.  There was so much back-story, that I started skimming.  The narrator (Jane) told her story, (you don't know who she is talking to until the end), but she told it in a rambling way that was boring.   I didn't like any of the characters, with the exception of Emma.

The story is basically about an obsessive friendship that gets out of hand.   Yes, it is about lies, but basically, it is about mental illness.  It is a sad, depressing book.

However, the writing was really good, especially for a debut novel, and I actually liked the ending.  Just not enough.

Seven Lies is  Elizabeth Kay's debut novel and is a very dark read.  It outlines what one woman thinks of her family, friends, and their significant others, especially a best friend's significant other.  Follow the confession of lies and the subsequent trail of the woman's darkest deeds to a surprising end.   While this was not quite what I was expecting, I will look forward to other books by Elizabeth Kay. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Seven Lies is a great story with interesting characters and a dark twist.  While I I enjoyed the book,  and will definitely read Elizabeth Kay's next novel, the story was overshadowed by its own verbosity.  This could have been an absolutely stellar book had it not been quite so wordy.  

Jane and Marnie have been best friends since grade school.  They have also been there for each other through good and bad.  When the friendship is threatened one of the friends takes matters into her own hands, and tells seven (little) lies to ensure the friendship is protected at all costs.

Overall a solid debut novel and I'm sure Elizabeth Kay is going to be on everyone's lips very soon.  Thank you to #Netgalley and Pamela Dorman Books for an advanced copy of #Sevenlies.  

3.5 stars

Jane and Marnie are the best of friends, having grown up together. But sometimes things change, and when Marnie marries a man that Jane hates it sets off a series of lies. The only seven lies she told Marnie, that change the whole course of their friendship. 
Seven Lies is told by Jane, separate through different section by each lie that she told Marnie. The first lie, is when Marnie asks if Jane likes her husband. A simple lie, to try not to hurt a friend, it seems to harmless right. Yet Jane realizes if she had just told the truth to begin, maybe Marnie’s husband would still be alive. It continues to outline the lies she tells Marnie, each more severe than the last. 

I found the premise of Seven Lies interesting. Every friend has told a seemingly harmless lie, to try to prevent them from being hurt. Yet,  Seven Lies takes those lies and escalates them, creating a world beyond friendship and moving into obsession. Each lies comes with a different consequence, and you start to realize Jane is not the ideal friend she tells herself she is throughout her story. It was an intriguing book that draws you in, as you try to sort out what is going to happen to Jane, do her lies get found out? What is the seventh lie? It is a very gripping story in that regard. 

My biggest problem with the book though was the writing. I found it a bit flat, and a bit pretentious, the way that Jane told her story made it feel bland when it should completely draw you in. It didn’t feel realistic in the dialogue, and it felt wooden for some of the interactions. So while the story itself keeps you interested, the writing has some bumps that throw you out of the story. In some ways though, the dry sense that Jane presents her story does make the obsession surrounding Marnie just a little bit more ominous at parts, as you start to realize how unwell Jane is regarding their friendship.

This thriller will be one for readers who look for domestic thrillers, and tales of obsession. This may not be the best thriller I’ve ever read, I still think a lot of readers will get a lot of enjoyment out of it, and it is a quick enjoyable way to spend an afternoon if this is your genre of choice.

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

PUBLICATION DAY: June 16, 2020!!!!!

A menacing thriller about an extremely toxic friendship...

PLOT SUMMARY: 
Jane and Marnie are the best of friends, they have been since they bonded while being in school together as children.  Nothing can come between them, right?  Right...that is until they grow up and fall in love with their significant others and suddenly Jane realizes that she does not like Marnie’s partner Charles...in fact she hates him.  And with everything else that Jane has had to deal with in her life, that just will not do….

PROS and CONS:
Woah, Seven Lies is a lot, and Jane tells some big ones over the course of her friendship with Marnie.  Seven Lies is the story of Jane and Marnie’s toxic friendship, and it’s all from the POV of Jane.  Insecurity, grief, jealousy, disappointment - there are a lot of issues to be dealt with!

Actually, not a lot happens in this one...it’s more about the internal conflict within Jane, all of which affects her relationships with her mother, sister and best friend.

When a devastating event occurs, fractures begin to appear in Marnie and Jane’s friendship.  How will Jane deal with this, when everything else in her life is also crumbling?  Will she handle it with grace?  Or will she tell even more lies...well I guess you’ve seen the book title and can probably figure this one out for yourself!  

YES or NO:  
It’s a YES - I enjoyed it even as I cringed while reading, wondering what lie Jane was going to tell next!

4 Stars

I enjoyed this book very much. It is the story of 2 best friends. told in first person, with an underlying tone of malice. A great psychological thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

Posted on Good Reads
Butter is the New Bok Facebook book club

It all started with a lie... 

...But we all know that once you start, you can't stop. Seven Lies is Jane's story - well more of her confession and how it all spiraled out of control. 

Jane and Marnie have known each other ever since they were little and ever since the two BFF's have been miserable. That is until Marnie gets married to a man that Jane isn't fond of, which Jane doesn't admit when Marnie asks her opinion. This is her first lie. When Marnie's husband turns up dead (won't go too into detail without spoiling), Jane finds herself in countless lies trying to cover herself as much as she can. This is such a twisted story about toxic friendships, obsession, and what one will do for love. 

At the start, I was confused because I didn't understand who Jane was telling the story to. As we got to the ending it just blew my mind, it connects everything so well. While reading this I felt myself getting anxious wanting to know how it turned out since some of the lies were catching up to Jane. This is done by adding a reporter in the mix, who is trying to stir up the pot between both ladies and uncover the real truth about Marnie's husband's murder. 

Overall a really great story, I gave it 4 stars!
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Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

The format of this story was interesting, each chapter is a lie the main character, Jane, has told to her friend Marnie.  On the surface each lie seems minor, but they build up as the story progresses.  Jane and Marnie have been friends since elementary school, one fair haired (Marnie) and one dark (Jane).  Jane is very attached to Marnie, obsessively so, and when something threatens that attachment, Jane will go to the extreme to ensure she has Marnie to herself.  A disturbing story, I can’t recall reading a story between two women where one is so enamored with the other. Many novels depict that obsessiveness between a man and woman. I think the author was very successful in creating a main character that was flawed and the events that contributed to her actions.  Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about Jane and her obsession with her best friend Marnie. Over the course of the book, you really see how psychotic Jane is and how she slowly becomes more and more unhinged.
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Unfortunately though, I didn’t really enjoy this book overall. The concept was interesting but the execution didn’t entirely make sense to me. There was a seemingly main story that went nowhere and then when you got to the big reveal at the end it didn’t really make sense - I can’t say much because I don’t want to spoil it but the timing just didn’t add up to me. ⁣
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I did like the premise of the book - I don’t think I’ve ever read a story about an obsessive friendship. It was disturbing to read about Marnie interacting with Jane and treating her like any friend would, all the while not knowing everything she had done.⁣
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Overall I’m giving this book 2.5⭐️. If you enjoy thrillers it may be a higher rating for you! ⁣
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⭐️⭐️✨⁣

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random house and Elizabeth Kay for the opportunity to read Seven Lies
Seven lies
Very interesting, well written novel. The author addresses the reader throughout the story as if she is speaking directly to us and telling us about the events as they unfold
Jane is the main character, her life is woven into many other lives and her story describes her interaction with each individual, mostly her best friend Marnie. They have been best friends since they were young. Jane's story explains how people come and go through her life, she experiences love, joy, heartbreak and sadness. She has an overwhelming love for Marnie, almost to the point of obsession and cant stand to come second in Marnie's life.
This novel is certainly a must read, and I would recommend this book. It had my attention right from the beginning and I didn't want to put it down

I ended up putting this aside due to lack of interest. This just isn’t holding any of my attention, unfortunately. I'm finding it to be a slow start and nothing has captured or gripped me. I’d like to give this a go again once released in audio format as the premise was very interesting and still has me intrigued. Hopefully that format will hold my interest more than the ebook. 

I don't have a real rating but based on what I'd read before putting this aside I'd give this a 2/5,

E-ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Life moves in only one direction. Every decision that you ever make will be written in stone, permanent, never to be undone. They are all entirely irrevocable.

I just finished Seven Lies by Elizabeth Kay. What a story. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I'm still trying to process that ending though. So many questions. 

A story of two childhood best friends Marnie and Jane. Two different stages in life. Both married at different times. The men in their lives are tragically lost at different times, and this story is about how their friendship navigates through it all. 

Thank you netgalley for this arc. I give this one ⭐⭐⭐

Seven Lies told by one friend to another that could ultimately destroy a friendship. Jane and Marnie are childhood friends that have laughed, loved, and lost together. However, Jane has told Marnie seven lies and this is the story of those lies and how one lie ultimately led to the next. Marnie is the light, friendly, joyful friend while Jane is the self-proclaimed "dark" friend that needs Marnie in her life to pull her through the days.

The book is told from Jane's POV and we quickly discover that she did something bad, but we have to uncover what that is as Jane reveals her lies to us. Jane is definitely a dark soul and it is interesting to put yourself in her shoes. Would you tell a lie to keep a friend? What else would you do to keep her friendship?

The writing style was very creative, and only occasionally felt a little disjointed as Jane talks to us, the readers - asking questions and telling "us" not to make judgements so easily. It was easy to get used to, just a little bit out of the norm. Overall, a dark psychological thriller that shows how loyalty to a friend can spin out of control.

Elizabeth Kay’s debut novel Seven Lies is a phycological thriller, that gets you turning the pages quickly to see all seven lies. The story is based on two best friends told through Jane who is the master of manipulation and very cunning; her narration is original and addictive.

I liked that the story was told to you as if you were sitting over a cup of coffee, hearing the truth, well Jane’s truth…
I did find the book to be a little disjointed at times and perhaps a little longer than it needed to be. 

I think Elizabeth Kay has made her mark in the thriller market; I look forward to reading her future books.

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A dark physiological thriller that explores how far one will go for love and friendship.  Jane and Marnie have been friends since childhood.  Teh6 share everything and know every secret about each other.  That is until Jane starts with the first lie.
Great read.  Recommended for anyone. 
* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

Wowza, this book was not what I expected. I'd never heard of this book before my netgalley email, and I am so thankful for it! Seven Lies is filled with alot of description and information, while a little over bearing, it didnt deture of distract from what was going on in the story. Seven Lies makes for a good read, and I would reccomend this title!

Seven Lies by Elizabeth Kay is a gripping examination of friendship, obsession and, of course, untruths, and I quickly devoured this dark and deceptive tale.

Jane and Marnie have been lifelong friends.  When Jane's husband dies unexpectedly, the relationship between the two women becomes more important than ever to the young and grieving widow.  When Marnie meets the man of her dreams in Charles, she is anxious for Jane's approval, setting the stage for the first of many lies.  But when Charles is found dead, the lies continue to mount, and a friendship becomes forever tainted in layers of deception from which neither woman will ever recover.

This was a fast-paced read that had me on board from the very first pages, and what a journey it is.  This is a fascinating look at the nature of female friendship, for better and worse, and the ties that link us to our nearest and dearest.  Chilling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC.

I enjoyed Seven Lies, a story about one friend's obsession with the other. Jane and Marnie grew up together and have been best friends for decades. When Jane's husband passes away, she find comfort in Marnie. However, Marnie is at a time in her life when she is in a committed relationship. Her priorities are different. Her boyfriend Charles ends up being the centre of Jane's hate, something she does not reveal to Marnie. Content notes to be aware of are depictions sexual assault, death of spouse, car accident, murder, stalking, and homophobia. One of the characters also has a sickness related to food which was not named.

This book offered a good commentary on growing out of childhood friendships and how they change when a significant other makes ones home. The first half of the book was fast-paced and engaging. The second half was slower and dragged on bit. Jane is an unreliable narrator, as is usually the case in thrillers, and her loss and loneliness are prevalent throughout the story. Marnie hardly spoke up in this book and her character was defined by how Jane saw her. The end could have had more punch to it, considering the first half of the book.

Many thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Black has been friends with Marnie since school, they are best friends and will always be best friends.  No one understands Marnie the way Jane does. Jane's life has been tough her husband passed away in accident and her career hasn't quite gone as she has expected.  The story unfolds with Jane reflecting on her life and how things would have been very different if she hadn't told her very first lie to her friend Marnie.

As I was initially reading the book I liked Jane as the story progressed, there things about her that started giving me the creeps.

Overall I enjoyed reading the book and was happy to have a distraction while being at home during c-19.  Thanks Netgalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy.  If you are looking for something to read that will distract I would recommend picking this book up.

Jane and Marnie have been best friends since they were 11-years old. They’ve done everything together. As adults, though, Jane is now confessing (to the reader) that she told Marnie seven (big) lies; the first one was a lie that she liked Marnie’s boyfriend, Charles. 

It’s not fast-paced, but I wanted to know what would happen. It’s one of those potentially unreliable narrators, as you wonder if Jane is telling the truth, or what really happened. I’m not sure I really liked any of the characters, but that didn’t change that it was still compelling reading for me.