Great book with strong female characters. It was interesting how I was expected to identify a villain in one of the characters but ended up rooting for her instead.

“Two women working together are a force to be reckoned with.”

A chameleon, con-artist, liar, manipulator – all things that Meg Williams has been called over the years, and Kat Roberts is determined to expose her for “derailing” her life ten years ago. Meg moves back to LA, this time posing as a highly experienced real estate agent to target Senate hopeful – Ron Ashton.

In The Lies I Tell, Julie Clark tells the story of two women – both who have been wronged in different ways – and connects their past and present in a way that has you rooting for both. Meg and Kat make us realize that not everything is as it appears and that context matters. Moreover, this book focuses around the “girl code,” in which “you help other women, whenever you can.” How can you not love strong female leads where justice and revenge may end up being one in the same?

I have never read a novel by Clark before, and this won’t be a last. The characters were complex, and the plot was fascinating. The amount of thinking ahead that Meg had to do to master her craft shines through – paralleling the amount of thought Clark had to put into the narrative. I loved some of the underlying themes: “You only get one life, how do you want to live it?;” the ability to reinvent yourself, “risk is what makes life worth living;” and “how you frame things in your mind is how you present them to the world.”

This was not your average mystery book with similar plot lines (or predictability) I read over and over again. I was happy with the change of pace and the female-driven opportunist tale. Clark describes how there are winners and losers in life, and this book is a winner! I was fully consumed by this book and highly recommend it – Julie Clark should be on all reader’s radar!

As Meg says: “The lies I tell serve a purpose…”

Thank you so much to NetGalley for an ARC of this amazing novel, all opinions are my own!

This was a 4.5-4.75 rating rounded up to a 5 star!
 
Julie Clark is quickly becoming my favorite thriller/suspense author. I really enjoyed The Last Flight when I read it back in 2020, so when I saw her newest book pop up on NetGalley I knew I needed to have it.
 
This one – A suspenseful and intricate revenge story – was even better!!!
 
Unlike many thrillers I’ve read in the past, Clark writes such unique stories. This one focused around a badass, female con-artist (Meg) who became this way after she was wronged early on in life. She is crazy smart and damn good at what she does. Then, it alternates POVs with a female detective journalist (Kat) who is the only person to catch on to what Meg is doing. She spends years chasing this story in hopes to finally launch her career (and also get revenge on something that happened to her which she blames on Meg).
 
In addition to alternating POVs, it also alternates from past and present timelines. And it was so fast-paced that I read it in 2 sittings. I can’t completely pinpoint why I couldn’t give this one a full 5 stars. Maybe it was because some parts felt a little too convoluted with details or it could just be that thrillers aren’t typically my genre, but having said that… this is still closer to like a 4.75 and one of the best thrillers I’ve read in recent memory.
 
If you’re a thriller/suspense lover, you will absolutely love this. You must get your hands on it as soon as possible – trust me!

Clark has done it again! This book contains all the elements that make it a great thriller and the twists and turns that won't allow you to put the book down. Those bad, unscrupulous men need to be put down and punished for their wrongdoings in this story and they, unequivocally, are. Great read~

SO GOOD! Literally sat and finished this in a matter of hours. I haven’t read The Last Flight yet but after tearing through this, I will be doing that ASAP. Highly recommended!!!

I couldn't put this book down! Julie Clark has spun a tale that fascinates and keeps you turning the page to see what is going to happen next. I was absolutely amazed at how flawlessly she introduced and evolved the characters of Kat and Meg, especially Meg. The story showed a cunning intelligence and had a spectacular twist for the ending. I enjoyed the theme of "the girl code" and how the line between justice and revenge just depends on "who's telling the story". While Meg is not your typical heroine, she certainly redeems any negative thoughts a reader might have about her as a con artist, because as Kat notes "context matters" I couldn't have asked for a more entertaining tale or a better ending!

I read this book in one sitting. Once I started it, I felt like I didn’t have much choice. The characters were so compelling and the story so propulsive, the tension ratcheting up as the pages flew by, that I literally couldn’t put it down. This is a story of two women - one, a con woman, the other the journalist determined to pursue her and reveal her for what she is. But it’s a lot deeper than that too, and that part was what was so unexpected for me. I never knew what was going to happen next, the characters were tremendously well drawn and intriguing, and I loved every page. This is a five star read. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to share these views, which are my own, and to the author for giving me the gift of a truly enjoyable book.

A con artist with a conscience is a but likable character and so is the reporter who ends up chasing her down. Clever and fast paced, this story of men done wrong and the woman who rights it is a pleasurable read. Character development was spot on and though there were some stretches to the ploys, the grifts work. A fun read.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Meg's a con artist who erases herself to become whoever you need her to be—a college student. A life coach. A real estate agent. Nothing about her is real. She slides alongside you and tells you exactly what you need to hear, and by the time she's done, you've likely lost everything.

Kat Roberts has been waiting ten years for the woman who upended her life to return. And now that she has, Kat is determined to be the one to expose her.

In the current time of leading lady stories like Killing Eve, Inventing Anna, etc. this book is right up there with on suspense and anticipation level.
Highly recommend this author and this book!

Meg Williams is a clever con artist. She appears under many names and becomes whomever you need her to be, before disappearing without a trace.

Kat Roberts is a struggling reporter. Years after an unfortunate encounter with Meg, Kat later manages to befriend her, determined to find the truth and reveal who Meg really is.

However, Kat soon realizes that nothing is as it seems. Where do you draw the line between justice and revenge?

The Lies I Tell was not as much of a thriller as I expected, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of the story at all! The two strong, intelligent female protagonists, surrounded by their web of lies, were so intriguing and brilliantly written that I couldn’t put it down!

I will definitely be reading more books by Julie Clark, and I highly recommend you grab this one as a perfect summer read when it releases June 21, 2022.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC in exchange for sharing my honest review.

Julie Clark must have had a sixth sense, anticipating the rise of 'con artist culture', as The Lies I Tell couldn't be more topical. If, like me, you've been binging Bad Vegan, Puppet Master, Tinder Swindler, Inventing Anna, and The Dropout, then this will be the perfect novelized companion. But what makes The Lies I Tell even better is that we're given insight into the mind of the scam artist herself, and there's a sense of justice to it all that is missing in the real-life versions. Clark has woven a plot that is so fun, it doesn't matter that the writing itself lacks sophistication; we love these characters and root for both women.

WOW, what a read! The plot was intense, powerful and thrilling and held me captive all the way through! The characters fairly leaped off the page, and the tension was palpable. If you are looking for a twisted read that you just CAN’T put down, then this is DEFINITELY the book for you!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so. #theliesitell #NetGalley

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
◘ What a quick-paced, exciting story! I loved the dual POVs and timeline from past to present. Was never confused who the chapter was on, which has been my downfall lately.
◘ I freaking love revenge stories. I have come to realize they are my favorite. And this was done so well.
◘ The ending.
◘ Meg.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐝:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
◘ There was only one part where I was being very impatient and just wanted answers. Not a flaw, but I was on edge and was like “make it stop!” It’s a plus though, believe me.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
★★★★★
This was such a fun thriller. Are fun thrillers a thing? Well, this was definitely all that and more! The pacing was perfect. The mystery and secrets were done well enough to keep you turning each page. And I ACTUALLY physically read this one since there was no audiobook option yet. That should speak volumes. Keep this one on your radar when June comes around. You won’t want to miss it!

Thank you NetGalley for this thoroughly engaging book. I read it in two nights. Meg, Maggie, Mel, is a grifter. Her ultimate con will be to get revenge on a man who swindled her dying mother out of their house. She and her mom lived out of their car. Kat, a reporter, was following one of Meg’s earlier exploits when she is attacked. She blames Meg for getting her in that situation. She will bring down Meg, no matter what. The cat and mouse game becomes complicated as the two women become friends. Great story. Easy read. Buy this for your beach bag.

Julie Clark does it again! I could not put this book down!! The Lies I Tell is the story of two women - one a con artist, the other a reporter investigating her. This book is such a page-turner. The characters are well developed and complex and the plot has fun twists and turns. 5 stars!

The premise of this thriller was interesting. I enjoyed the plot twists and trying to figure out how it would end. If you enjoy a good thriller this book is for you!

Excuse my language but…HOLY SH*T. I repeat: HOLY SH*T. Now THAT is how you write a novel. If perfection existed in the form of a book, it would be this one. Weeks after finishing this, and i’m still blown away. I don’t have one single bad thing to say about this book. I wish I could go back in time and read it all over again for the first time. I actually cried upon finishing it, because the writing was just that good. Writing a more proper, thorough review for this book is proving to be difficult, because there are no words for how good it was. Nothing that I write can quite do this book justice, or express just how amazing this book is. Everything about it was perfect: the writing style, the twists, the execution, etc. I will be shouting from the rooftops for everyone to read this at any given opportunity. Alls I can say is: READ THIS BOOK. You will not regret it. Props to Julie Clark for writing the best book that I have read in a very long time.

note to publisher: review will be posted on my blog closer to release date

Two women, a journalist and a con artist, play a game of cat and mouse-- but which is which? The details of lifelong con artist Meg's schemes are quite engaging, particularly in this cultural moment of fascination with frauds (i.e., Anna Delvey, Elizabeth Holmes). Highly recommended, unusual mystery.

Meg definitely knew how to lie and to con people.

She knew how to con because of her rough childhood and having to live in a car after her mother's boyfriend conned them out of their house.

She made it her goal to ruin him.

In the meantime, Meg would research someone in the news that had troubles, but she also made sure they had a nice place to live and money that she could make disappear into her own account.

She always made sure her past was covered up and no one could really find out who she was.

But Kat did find her and did know her and made it her goal to ruin Meg’s life the way Meg ruined Kat’s life ten years ago. She wants to expose Meg by writing a book about her cons.

Can Kat do it? Or does Meg have a plan of her own for Kat? Meg is pretty cunning.

We follow Kat as she makes friends with Meg, as Meg investigates Kat because she doesn’t believe the story Kat tells her, as Meg keeps conning, and as they both try to seek revenge on who they want to ruin.

Will they both do what they sought to do?

My money was on Meg. She really was a major con artist with cons that were ones difficult to believe people would fall for.

Kat seemed too naive to trip up Meg.

THE LIES I TELL is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing, have you shaking your head, and one that you won’t want to put down. 5/5

This book was given to me for an honest review.

The Lies I Tell follows two women: a con artist named Meg who is back in her home city to pull off one final con, and a reporter named Kat who’s seeking revenge on Meg for ruining her life 10 years ago. As Kat tries to become close to Meg and get her revenge, she learns more about Meg’s life, why she’s done the things she’s done, and what exactly her newest con will be.

We all love a good “Good For Her” story. This is very much a “Good For Her” story, and I think a lot of people will really really like it. Meg specifically targets men who have gotten away with using their power to ruin women’s lives. Trust me, watching her target some particularly awful men is VERY satisfying. Julie Clark wrote a complex and fascinating main character in Meg, and I enjoyed learning about her past and her motivations. She felt like a real, well rounded person.

Kat was almost as interesting as Meg was. The event that made her decide to take revenge against Meg was… questionable. I do think that that was one of the book’s weaknesses. Her motive wasn’t really believable because it seemed out of character for the Kat that I was reading about and getting to know. But I really liked watching Kat try to figure out what Meg was up to, and try to solve the little mystery that was happening in her own life. Unfortunately I’m not able to talk about Kat’s mystery without giving away spoilers, but I did like it and I thought it was a great way for Julie Clark to connect the two women and encourage the reader to develop their own opinion about Meg.

I enjoyed this book very much, but my biggest complaint is that I didn’t think there was a good twist. I like when thrillers have a really big twists that completely alter the way I see the story, but this didn’t really have that. I thought it was great storytelling, but it was really just a steady buildup to finding out how Meg plans to carry out her last scam. This complaint is just based on personal taste though.

I highly recommend The Lies I Tell. The Kind Worth Killing and Gone Girl are my favorite thrillers, so this was perfect for me as someone who likes thrillers about women who cause problems and chaos in men’s lives 😂. It’s also a quick read, which is always my favorite kind of book. Like I said before, I think a lot people will like this.