As I was getting ready to write this review, I came across an article about a beauty pageant contestant who did not wear any makeup. That is what a lot of this novel is about!

Nothing But the Truth is a sweet and thoughtful story about confronting what women have to put up with in this day and age. It was different than what I was expecting, but in a lot of good ways. I thought it would be a lighthearted chick lit novel, but there was a heavier aspect to it, as well. It all balanced out nicely though. It had a similar feel to The Bold Type, but with a touch of magical realism. That aspect made me think of Adena Halpern's novels. I just loved how everything played out in this story and it was so difficult to put down, which is why I read the majority of it in one day.

Pick this one up for a refreshing read!

Movie casting suggestions:
Lucy: Elizabeth Lail
Nina: Emily Ratajkowski
Caleb: Brett Dier
Joanna: Melora Hardin (Inspired by her role on The Bold Type, of course)
Oliver: Chris Colfer
Annie: Grace Van Dien
Adam: Nathan Parsons
Lily: Minnie Mills
Jonathan: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Chase: Austin Butler

I loved this book. As soon as I finished reading, I went to find the author's backlist. I was surprised to find that this was the first book by James, so I am excited to see what else she produces! I always love connecting with a book, even if that connection stems from negative experiences. I felt like this read was both relatable and magical. Have already recommended to friends.

Nothing But the Truth by Holly James. Pub Date: July 12, 2022. Rating: 3 stars. Lucy Green works as a publicist, and on the the eve of her 30th birthday, she finds herself alone and wishful. Her boyfriend has stood her up, she is hopeful for a promotion at work and feeling she is at a crossroads in life. She makes a wish over her cocktail at the bar. Lo and behold, her wish comes true and she is met with the unexpected. I loved the premise of this novel, but felt the execution was bland. I really wanted more character development, laugh out loud moments and something I could connect to, but this novel did not offer those things for me. Thanks to #netgalley and #dutton for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dutton Books and Holly James for giving me the early chance to read this book. Four stars for this story that made me laugh out loud on multiple occasions. Lucy was a smart and confident female main character and I enjoyed every minute of her story on her 30th birthday! I found myself cheering her on every time she got that "nothing but the truth" word vomit. As a woman I found her totally spot on and gutsy in her delivery of certain grievances. I honestly felt the love line of the story was secondary and almost not as exciting as the growth in Lucy's character. I loved all her friends and their support of her, especially Oliver! I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!

I adored the female empowerment vibe that came with this book! It’s a delightful and quick read and I would recommend

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved the synopsis of this one and knew I had to read. New to (me) author.

I think I went in with high expectations having seen so many good reviews but I sadly did not love this one. I personally had a hard time ID with the main character because of all her "lying" especially because she was a "women." It was not well explained so I felt even more disconnected to her and therefore her storyline.

I ENJOYED…
☂️
The strong female main character. Both likable and relatable, I absolutely rooted for her during the whole story. Lucy is a celebrity PR agent, she loves her job and she’s good at it. It was really awesome to see a lady boss in action! I enjoyed seeing her grow and realize that the life she’s living isn’t really the one she wants. I really liked reading about her journey to stop going along with all the bullshit women have to deal with and stand up for what she wants. Her relationships with her best friends and her mom were great additions, I absolutely loved those interactions!
The workplace sexual harassment topic. We don’t talk enough about it and it’s so important that we do! Even if it was a bit too much and too rushed, this book fits perfectly into the Me Too Movement. I liked seeing women finally speak their truth, even if it’s hard and scary. I enjoyed seeing women supporting other women. It was empowering!
Loved the questioning of societal conventions and the message that we should learn to freely speak our mind and do of more what we want and believe in. Being forced to be honest has Lucy rethinking a lot of aspects of her life and it was really refreshing to read. Women are under a lot of pressure to follow societal expectations. We *should* want to be married. We *should* want to have kids. We *shouldn’t* be too “bossy”, “loud” or “ambitious”. This book discusses that, plus the double standard that exists in the workplace. The advantages that are given to men, while women have to work twice as hard just to get half the recognition.
The litle dash of magic. Not being able to lie after drinking a cocktail? It’s brillant! I loved that bit of magic, it added a little originality to the story.
The backdrop of a LA publicity firm. The PR world? California? Celebrities? Publicists dealing with famous people’s scandals? Hell yes, I loved that!

I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…
☂️
Reading the blurb, I thought it was going to be a really funny and cute story (which it was) but it was also much more serious that I thought it would be. I was really waiting for more humor (not being able to lie is brillant and the perfect backdrop for so many awkward situations!). But even though it was light in its delivery, Nothing But the Truth deals with A LOT of the Me Too Movement talking points, some of which are really heavy handed and felt like too much in the course of one day. Of course, I believe every single word of it and the damage the patriarchy does to women, I just don’t need this message delivered to me for pages and pages in my light contemporary fiction. It wasn’t really what I was expecting.
The romance (so sorry about that!). Don’t get me wrong, it was cute as hell! And Adam was lovely! But it felt way too rushed… She was ready to be engaged to another man, like, a few seconds ago. She doesn’t know him but tell him everything right away. A bit too instalove for my taste. I needed more interactions between them!

OVERALL
☂️
If you’re looking for a sharp, empowering and uplifting read with a lot of heart and a lovely cast of supportive characters, Nothing But the Truth is the perfect match for you!

Really liked this book! I liked the mix of magic and realism, and had a super cute message in the end.

This was... fine. I finished it, but probably wouldn't recommend. It was kinda slow and mundane. Lucy was plain and the book had no depth.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

I thought this was a fun take on the movie Liar, Liar, but at a certain point around the 60-70% it kind of lost it's novelty for me. I think the mc was mostly well written and I enjoyed the humor weaved throughout the book. The topics discussed leaned on the more serious side and while I think they are important topics to be had, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with the heavy handed feminist agenda.

I really liked Oliver and I don't think he was deserving of the constant rants thrown his way by Lucy, and if I'm honest he was probably the only reason I stuck it out till the end. I think Lucy had a lot of potential to be a lovable fmc, but with her constant preaching and lashing out it made it impossible. I also think this book lacks the lens of intersectional feminism, which contributed to my dislike of that portion of the plot. I'm all for strong female characters who stand up for themselves and don't take mistreatment from anyone, but this could have been executed a lot better in my opinion. I think this book had the potential to be great but lacked balance.

I don't know that I would necessarily recommend this book, but if you do happen to decide to read it please check tw!

Lucy wakes up on her 30th birthday and finds she just can't bring herself to go through her normal routine of intense spin class, full face of makeup, and tight Spanx. Turns out she can't tell a lie -- to herself or others. Which is potentially problematic when you're a Hollywood publicist, and you haven't been to true to yourself in awhile.

This was a fast read, and I agree with a lot of the themes presented. At the same time, it felt over-the-top in parts. To be sure, I think that was the author's intent -- to be completely obvious about the ways in which certain expectations for women are upheld and perpetuated, as well as how unfair they are. But that could lead to Lucy monologuing at times, when maybe her point could have been conveyed more seamlessly. Or, maybe it's just that this book is more for those who've never heard the words makeup tax or had to take pains not to be seen as bossy when you're just being assertive.

I should have known this wouldn't be for me when it started talking about her workout routine and dietary restrictions. While yes, the premise was a woman fighting against these stereotypes, it often was just cringey and unrealistic. The number of times I rolled my eyes was too many. It read like something from 15+ years ago, not present day. And it tried way too hard. Not for me.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my digital arc of NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH by Holly James, in exchange for an honest review. This book published July 12, so you can grab your copy now!

What if you could only tell the truth? Like, you were literally unable to lie, even if you wanted to, or intentionally tried to?
Wow. I have never read a book quite like this one before. I don't want to say too much, because I went into it fairly blind, and i honestly think that is the best way to experience this book.

If you like strong female characters, who like to smash the patriarchy, have some healthy workplace competition, and state all the unfair expectations women are supposed to uphold, then read this book! I highly recommend it, and even the audiobook was great!

This book warmed my heart in so many ways. I am definitely going to try that magical drink she received and realized she could lie no more.

Plus, who doesn’t love books about book people.

Thanks to @duttonbooks and @netgalley for the gifted e-Arc. Lucy Green loves her job, is excited to turn 30, and hopes to be engaged by the end of her birthday. But when she wakes up on her birthday, she cannot lie, which is going to make her job difficult. As she navigates through her day, she has to unravel and rebuild her world to better fit herself.

A feminist book at heart that landed a bit hard on subjects that were distinguished by the actions of characters more than anything. It is an inspiring book nonetheless. I felt myself rooting for Lucy because I wanted to see her happy ending. A very entertaining read.

3.5 stars [Liked it]

This was a good debut. I loved the writing and the narration of the audiobook was also great. I loved the characters and seeing how Holly’s journey to finding her voice. The overall story was just okay for me, it felt a bit bland at times. I did love the feminist aspect of the book.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for providing a free advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the idea of the book. I connected with the main character on a lot of levels. There were a lot of points that hit home about not wanting to do the things that society makes us feel we have to.

Nothing But The Truth

3/5 Stars

Liar Liar meets 13 Going on 30 meets 16 Candles.

Nothing But the Truth was such a cute and inspiring novel – following Lucy, a Celebrity Publicist who does nothing but lie, spin the truth, use fake smiles and cover up the scandals her clients create in their day to day lives.

At the precipice of her 30th birthday, Lucy Green raises a glass to a new chapter in her life. She wishes on her cocktail, wanting nothing but to enter her 30s with everything she needs, to have the best time ever. But this little wish at a local bar (with a drink from a super-hot bartender) leaves her unable to tell a lie, unable to hold her tongue at work, unable to take what she usually does. Leaving her try to undo her wish, almost ruining her career – but in the long run making it better than it ever was – threatening her relationships and the entire life she’s built for herself.

Nothing but the Truth was short, sweet, and a lot of fun to read – even if there was a lot of feminist dumping throughout the book. All the points were valid – but it was dumped into small spaces that ended up over flowing with a little bit too much.

Happy endings with not a lot of tenseness. Overall just a really good fluffy read, easy to get through and with a satisfying ending.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

To be honest, I felt like there wasn’t much special about this book. The voice didn’t really captivate me, and I’ve read plenty of books about white women going through quarter-life crises. DNFed.