What the hell did I just read? I wasn't even sure how I felt about the book while reading it because I absolutely trust no one and couldn't keep myself from trying to dissect every scene (this is thanks to the title). The ending I LOVED and that's when I knew I had enjoyed it even though it was messed up and absolutely unhinged. I probably hated every character (except precious Leon) and most of the plot made me mad, but that's a good thing in a thriller right? Love the podcast / netflix formatting between chapters and how exquisitely the author pieced the story together.

It’s Alix Summer’s forty-fifth birthday, and she is out celebrating with her husband and sisters and friends. She’s a popular podcaster, interviewing successful women about how they became so successful. She is enjoying the food and champagne and company, having an amazing night.

At the next table, Josie Fair is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. But it’s just her and her husband Walter. She watches Alix’s table, and when Alix excuses herself to go to the bathroom, Josie does also. That’s where she introduces herself to Alix, saying, “Hi. I’m your birthday twin.” They realize that they were not only born on the same day, but in the same hospital. And when Josie bumps into Alix again, out walking her dog near where Alix’s kids go to school, Josie tells her that she has an idea for her next podcast.

Alix had been finishing up her series about the successful women, and she was wondering what to do next. She wanted something different, something new, but she didn’t know what yet. So she decides to hear Josie out. Josie tells Alix a little about her background, how she was just a teenager when she’d met her husband, who had been much older. And now, she was tired of it. She was tired of it all and wants to break free. And so, her idea: what if Alix does a podcast about someone who is about to be successful, someone who is about to change their life?

Alix is intrigued by the idea and by Josie herself. The woman had been a teenager when she’d married a forty-year-old man. And now she wants to leave him, start all over, break free. Alix isn’t sure where the story will go, or if she’ll be able to make any kind of podcast out of Josie’s story, but she feels like there is something there. So she decides to try to some interviews with her, record some talks, to see what the story is, what it could be.

As Josie’s story unwinds, her marriage at eighteen, her controlling husband, her two daughters and what happened to them as teenagers, Alix captures it all in her recording studio. Alix meets Josie’s mother, her husband. One daughter ran off as a teenager, and the other one stays in her room all the time, so Alix can’t talk to them. But she slowly starts to put the pieces of Josie’s life together.

Until it all blows up for both families.

When Alix’s podcast is finally edited and put together, it becomes a viral sensation almost immediately. But then, the newscasts had already reported on much of the story. Three people were dead, one was in the hospital, and the killer is on the loose. And Alix has to figure out—how much of what Josie had told her was true?

None of This Is True is a powerful novel of truth and lies, and the trouble that follows when we allow evil into our lives. It blends modern topics of podcasting, the pandemic, and the popularity of true crime with timeless themes of good versus evil and resentment versus forgiveness. But mostly, it’s a genuinely compelling story. It hooks you in immediately and doesn’t let go. Told partly through podcast transcripts, news stories, interviews, and clips from the documentary made from the podcast, this novel leads you down one path for a long time before flipping on itself so quickly you feel like you have whiplash.

I thought that None of This Is True is brilliant. There is the right blend of questions and answers, of secrets and revelations. The stories in this one are not easy to read, but the book is so hard to put down. It’s as absorbing as a favorite true crime podcast or documentary, and I found myself coming back over and over just to learn more of the story, to find out more of the truth. This book is fascinating, mind-bending, emotional, powerful, and unforgettable. It’s a wild ride, but it will take you through a long weekend and make you so happy you jumped on.

Egalleys for None of This Is True were provided by Atria Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Lisa Jewell is the Queen of “what did I just read?” And None of This is True is no exception! This book was absolutely addictive and I couldn’t put it down.

Josie meets Alix when they are both out celebrating their birthdays- they were born on the exact same day and year in the same hospital. They bump into each other again a few days later after Josie has listened to some of Alix’s podcasts and she explains to Alix that she would be a good subject for her podcast as she’s on the cusp of a major life change.

Alix agrees and they start recording, but Josie’s life has had some very difficult times. She got married very young and she has some dark secrets. She also is quickly becoming obsessed with Alix and this part reminded me of Single White Female. Josie even has an event happen where she stays at Alix’s house for an extended time. In researching the podcast, Alix interviews Josie’s mom and daughters and it seems like not everything Josie says is true? Who can she believe?

This story is much wilder than this and truly is one you need to read on your own. This was a very fast paced book and I loved that we kept getting snippets of the podcast and eventually even a Netflix series within the novel that helped enhance the narrative. It’s definitely for people who like dark books and don’t mind being unsettled.

Lisa Jewell did it again!! She keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat! I loved this book and can't wait to read her next bestseller!

Lisa Jewell's writing has been somewhat of a hit or miss for me in the past, but this time, she hit the mark brilliantly. What truly captivated me was how the narrative masterfully keeps you guessing throughout the book, leaving you uncertain about how everything will eventually come together. And yet, it does come together in a way that's both surprising and deeply satisfying. I found myself starting to unravel the plot twists, but just when I thought I had it figured out, the story would take an unexpected turn, and suddenly everything clicked into place.

The characters in this tale gave me an unsettling itch, and that's exactly what makes them so effective. They're all flawed and unreliable, making it impossible to fully trust any of them. This sense of unease propels the story forward, keeping you on edge as you learn more about Josie. The deeper you dive into her character, the more you realize just how twisted the narrative truly is.

As for the synopsis, it perfectly sets the stage for the gripping tale that unfolds within these pages. The idea of a true crime podcaster becoming the subject of her own podcast is a unique and intriguing premise. With Alix's life and her family's safety hanging in the balance, the tension and suspense run high throughout the story.

In conclusion, Lisa Jewell's latest offering is a riveting exploration of suspense and darkness. With an array of characters you'll love to hate and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end, it's a must-read for any thriller enthusiast. This book demonstrates Lisa Jewell at her finest, delivering a tale that will leave you haunted long after you've turned the last page.

Incredibly twisted psychological thriller that kept me glued to the pages until I finished.

You never know at first when you meet someone that they will become the epitome of toxic and wreak havoc in your life. Podcaster Alix Summer has no idea when she meets Josie Fair on the night of their 45th birthday (they are birthday twins) that her world is about to take a horrible turn. When Alix starts working on a podcast with Josie, they are hoping that using Josie's interesting life as the subject will help Josie make the changes she needs to make. It doesn't work out that way.

This was a fabulous, fun read with great main characters. The style of the narrative worked great with the plot and kept me on my toes guessing about the reliability of the story being told. All the while there is a buzz of trepidation as you anticipate that things are going to go bad quickly. This was a clever bit of writing and I love how the secrets and lies are tantalizingly revealed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this suspenseful e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

Excellent book and writing, loved the twists and turns, being left with an open end really keeps you thinking about the story long after you have finished.

This book was creepy, eerie, and kept me entertained the whole time! I loved the incorporation of the podcasts and Netflix series. I do wish there was more of a conclusion at the end because like what even actually happened?! 😅

Thank you so much @netgalley and @atriabooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I’m not sure what I just read, but I know I loved it. Jewell has done a fantastic job with this book. The format is unique and attention grabbing and it is an amazing psychological thriller. It’s dark, it’s creepy and it’s intense….this one was a home run for me. Thank you Net mGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC.

Have you read a book by an author and thought "Yup, that author wrote this book!"? This book read as a Lisa Jewell book and it was not disappointing. You think you know what's happening but there is a twist and turn around every turn.

Have you met your birthday twin? Podcaster Alix Summer just did, while out celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. Josie Fair was born on the same day, of the same year, at the same hospital as Alix Summer. When the two bump into one another outside of Alix's children's school, Alix comes up with the idea of creating a Birthday Twin podcast series. While filming the series, Josie starts telling Alix about her life and starts sharing the secrets that has Alix on the edge of her seat. When Josie disappears, the truth will come out. Who is Josie Fair and is anything she told Alix true? Will life ever be the same?

Thank you to the the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy of None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell in exchange for my honest review. Like always, I cannot wait for the next book that Lisa Jewell comes out with. I know it will be just as great!

First I want to thank NetGalley as well as the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
This started painfully slow, though later it became necessary background. I almost did not finish. Then the book changed fast and quickly became a true psychological thriller. Its a novel of strange lies, half truths, and the real truth?

𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅. 
 
This book gave me major trust issues and I can’t stop thinking about it!! Another title taken way too literal. “None of This Is True” was such an unpredictable story with WTF moments and unreliable characters, I didn’t know who or what to believe. This manipulative, pulse pounding story is about two women meeting on their 45th birthday and how it changed both of their lives forever.  I’d say it was chance that brought them together, but i’m not so sure.
 
Celebrating her birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman, Josie Fair. Turns out, they are, in fact, birthday twins. A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other AGAIN, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and boldly suggests she be the new subject for Alix’s series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life. 
 
Alix finds Josie unsettling and strange, and despite the red flags she can’t resist the temptation to make a hit new podcast. Josie reveals some very dark secrets, from her taboo relationship with her husband, to the complicated relationship with her daughters. Alix knows she needs to pull the plug, but it’s too late, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home. But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast.  
 
Transcripts of interviews are interjected throughout the narrative, making this feel like an actual documentary. This dark and twisted story is about the complex relationships of marriage, motherhood, friendships, and the secrets we hide behind closed doors. Alix is right about one thing, this does make a compelling story. I couldn’t put it down until I got the full story. It’s addictive and a totally must read!  
 
Read if you like:
- True crime
- Podcasts
- Unreliable characters
- Twist and turns
- UK setting
- Murder

Mixed and positive feelings towards this book.

I am rating the story a 4 but with the audiobook, it makes it a 5 star read.
I thought this story was very unique and clever. I loved that both Alix and Josie both made me feel uncomfortable yet obsessed to find out what's really going on. I feel like this is Lisa Jewell's best story and I hope she continues to write like this.

The audiobook was amazing because it was a full cast and fully produced like an podcast/Netflix documentary. Highly recommend picking this one up.

This is yet another impossible-to-put-down thriller from Lisa Jewell. For most of the book, I was all in. It's easy to suspend disbelief when you're reading one of Jewell's books. They have a compelling, frenetic feel. Alix and Josie meet at a restaurant, where both are celebrating their 45th birthdays. They realize they're "birthday twins." A few days later they meet again, and Josie reveals she's been listening to Alix's popular podcasts. She suggests her life would make a great subject for Alix. As the two start working together, Alix realizes Josie is a rather dark individual, and she's starting to take over Alix's life.

It's easy to read TRUE in big great gulps. Josie is the ultimate unreliable narrator--the title certainly seems prescient for much of the book. How much can we trust her, or Alix? The book has a creepy and ominous feel, as Josie ingratiates herself into Alix's life, taking over and seeming like she just won't leave. Is she just friendly and in awe of Alix, or is there more to this story? Jewell delves into the topics of motherhood and family while we watch, breathlessly, to see the story behind Josie's life. At the same time, we learn more about Alix's relationship with her husband.

This would have been an easy 4-star read for me, but there are some issues that were glossed over that really bothered me--excusing both pedophilia and alcohol abuse being the main ones. I'm not sure the racing, exciting plot was enough to truly overcome those.

Lisa Jewell is an auto-read author for me, so I was thrilled to finally jump into None of This is True. Alix Summers is a popular podcaster, out celebrating her 45th birthday. She meets another woman, Josie Fair. Josie, who is also celebrating her 45th birthday. They are, birthday twins. A few days later they bump into each other again outside Alix's daughter's school. Josie tells Alex that she thinks she would make a good subject for Alix's podcast as she is about to undergo changes in her life. As they meet to work on the podcast, Alix realizes that Josie has some deep, dark secrets. Should she continue to work with her? How will she keep their lives separate?

This book is creepy, twisty and had me wanting to keep the lights on. There was something about Josie that had my hair standing on end. As we learn about Josie's life, her children and her husband Walter, I began to realize that she might be an unreliable narrator. The story is told from various POVs, although mostly through Alix and Josie, as well as including some of the podcasts. This was a popcorn book for me. I just sat back and let it unfold. I didn't try to guess what was going on, because I kept changing my mind about who was telling the truth. I think it is important to just go into this one not knowing more about the plot. I found it interesting how Josie pulled Alix into her story and life so easily. I highly recommend this psychological thriller to those who enjoy them and to fans of Lisa Jewell. Another winner in my books.

What a wild ride! This popcorn thriller is a lot of things but it’s not boring. Both Josie and Alix are unreliable narrators and that just helps the story move along, even while they are both unlikable. It’s very much a psychological suspense novel that is also over the top. The thing that failed me the most about this book was Josie’s relationship with her husband. She was far too young to even start a relationship with him and I couldn’t get that “ew factor” out of my head.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC. None of This Is True is out now.

I love the author's work. I have read and loved so many of her previous books but I must say this is now my favorite Lisa Jewell book.
The characters in this book, are the extreme. Especially Josie. Josie is the most unreliable, most unique, most diabolical character that Jewell has ever created.
You can't trust anyone, anything said, and any situation presented and yet the author weaves such a tale that you believe all the lies, then the lies told from the lies, and question everything.
I loved that the book is told through podcasts, interviews, and the narratives happening at the moment.

I don't want to say more because you need to read it to experience it. I think I will do a re-read but listen to it since I've heard that the audiobook is fantastic.

This book deserves all the stars!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I literally couldn't put this book down. Raced through it to get to the end, it was that good. Josie Fair is a super creepy character, who discovers that she shares a birthday with podcaster Alix and comes up with the idea to share her story because they are "birthday twins". Alix ignores various red flags that occur while going forward with the recording for the podcast, even letting Josie stay with her at her house after Josie claims that her husband beat her up. At that point, Josie kidnaps Alix's husband and that's where things go off the rails. There are different stories from different people in Josie's life, from her daughters to her mother. Although I really liked reading the book, the end leaves you hanging. The title pretty much says it all - your not quite sure which character is telling the truth. All in all, a good read, but the ending for me was somewhat disappointing. Thanks to the author and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of None of This is True by Lisa Jewell.

Lisa Jewell is another author that I will pick up without question. She always has such fresh takes on mysteries and thrillers.

This story stressed me OUT, in a good way. Two women meeting in a restaurant after discovering that they were born on the same day in the same hospital, birthday twins! And one of them hosts a popular podcast. So after a few discussions, the birthday twins decide that they will do a podcast together. However, it doesn't take long before the relationship turns obsessive, how long until it becomes deadly.

You will have no trouble diving head first into this story and staying completely engaged. It's twisty, foreboding, and outrageous. You'll barely know which way is up, but don't worry, the story will take care of you. I thoroughly enjoyed this as the perfect summer read.

In my eyes, Lisa Jewell can do no wrong. Her books always make it to my yearly top ten list and I was so excited to read this one!

The premise itself was a little strange - a podcast about birthday twins. But I was able to get past that because the story itself was so gripping! Alix and Josie meet at a pub and are both celebrating their 45th birthdays. The two bump into each other again at Alix’s children’s school. Josie has found out that Alix is a pretty popular podcaster and convinces her to do a story about her life.

Josie tells her she has a dark and twisted past and finally wants to tell the truth. Alix reluctantly agrees, but after their first interview she can’t get enough. And I felt the same way. As the title suggests, it’s hard to know who to believe in this book! Jewel kept me guessing until the very end! Five stars as usual!