"You Can Trust Me" by Wendy Heard is a thrilling ride through the sun-drenched landscapes of California, blending elements of friendship, freedom, and betrayal into a narrative that captivates and surprises at every turn. This novel explores the deep bond between Summer and Leo, two women who have found solace and strength in each other's company amid the challenges they've faced. Their life on the road, marked by small-time crimes and the pursuit of freedom, is a testament to their resilience and determination to escape the shadows of their pasts.

The plot takes a dramatic turn when Leo sets her sights on Michael Forrester, a billionaire whose wealth and influence present an opportunity too good to pass up. Leo's disappearance after securing an invitation to Forrester's private island catapults Summer into a desperate search for her friend, leading to a gripping investigation that is as much about uncovering the truth as it is about self-discovery.

Wendy Heard masterfully crafts a story that is as unpredictable as it is engaging. The transition from the freedom of the open road to the isolating luxury of a private island is executed with a tension that keeps the reader on edge. Summer's infiltration of the island to find Leo introduces a maze of deceit and danger, with the realization that their pursuit of freedom has led them into a trap far more complex than their usual cons.

The strength of "You Can Trust Me" lies in its richly developed characters. Summer and Leo are not just partners in crime; they are reflections of each other's desires, fears, and unyielding spirit. Their friendship is the heart of the story, driving the narrative forward and giving it emotional depth. The portrayal of Michael Forrester adds layers of ambiguity to the plot, challenging the reader's perceptions and expectations.

Heard's writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the essence of the settings and the internal turmoil of the characters with equal skill. The suspense builds steadily, with twists that are both surprising and satisfyingly plausible. The novel delves into themes of trust, loyalty, and the lengths to which people will go for those they love, posing compelling questions about the nature of freedom and the cost of survival.

"You Can Trust Me" is a testament to Wendy Heard's ability to weave a tale that is both a psychological thriller and a poignant exploration of human connection. It is a story that resonates with the complexities of trust and deception, set against a backdrop that is as beautiful as it is menacing. This novel is a must-read for fans of thrillers that not only entertain but also provoke thought and challenge expectations. Summer's journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the indomitable will to fight for those we hold dear.

You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard is a very fast- paced thriller in an unusual setting with 2 gifted grifters and billionaires! I loved it and read through it so fast and couldn't wait to buy a copy for my mom to read! She loved it too. It's a 5-star thriller with an emphasis on friendship.
Highly recommend!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

I recently had the pleasure of diving into You Can Trust Me, a thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The author's storytelling and ability to create tension and suspense had me hooked from the very first page. The characters were well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations, adding depth to the plot.

What I particularly enjoyed about the book was the twists and turns that kept me guessing, making it hard to put the book down once I started reading. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a thrilling ride filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected surprises.

Held my attention the whole time & got unexpectedly dark the last 10-15%. 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.

Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This plot is totally absurd and completely silly. Several characters make dumb decisions. Twist was predictable.

This was a really unique storyline and I did enjoy it, but it wasn't anything crazy great. I liked reading about the cons that these women ran and reading from two points of view.

This book grabbed me from the start. I always enjoy a clever plot about con artists.

This follows Leo and Summer that live thenomad life as they cruise down the California coastline. In order to survive, they earn their living from pickpocketing and targeting the rich/ wealthy.

Leo finds her new mark, a philanthropist and self billionaire. Leo thinks she has found the jackpot. She gets invited to his exclusive island only to find out she can’t escape. Meanwhile Summer has not heard from Leo in days and finds her way to the island as well in search of her friend. What happens next is an intense, wild and twisty trip.

Thank you Netgalley & Random House Publishing - Ballantine for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This plot was admittedly absurd. Sugar babies, sugar daddies, evil rich people, a mysterious island. But goodness gracious was it enthralling. It was almost like a more ridiculous, sexier Knives Out. Adored it.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

I was coming off of a book slump and I needed something that would grab me from early on. You Can Trust Me was such a compelling, multi-layered mystery. The author was great at keeping the reader guessing and never revealing too much about Summer's past. The writing style was crisp and I loved the intensity of the scenes and dialogue. The villain was a little over the top, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. Definitely a 4.5 star read.

This one is gooood! A really unique and twisty story. Two, ahem, adventurous young women who are used to getting by stealing and pickpocketing their way through life find they've hit the jackpot with a couple of wealthy men. The secrets the men are holding are the real treasure trove, however. Highly recommend this book!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Summer and Leo, two women who wander around California and have no home. Two con artists who sleep in Summer's Land Rover. Summer is an expert pick pocket and Leo is learning some new skills from Summer. Then one night, Leo attempts to con the millionaire Michael Forrester and ends up traveling with him to his private island and Summer becomes concerned when she doesn't come home or contact her.
A thriller that kept my interest, despite being somewhat predictable. This would be a great read for summer.

3.5 stars rounded up
This was a face paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the friendship between the two main characters, Summer and Leo. This was my first book by the author, but it won't be my last. If your looking for a bingeable thriller I would definitely recommend this one.

I feel like the decision-making by the characters was unrealistic at best, but really best described as silly, which made it difficult to take the book seriously as a whole. I wasn't the right reader for this, perhaps.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. With main characters that aren't exactly heroes, this story propels us into a different light, rooting for antiheroes.

4⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ California & an island
Publication date ~ June 13, 2023
Est page Count ~ 292 (p+ 46 dated chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 36 minutes
Narrators ~ Kelsey Navarro Foster, Natalie Naudus
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, locked room (island)

Summer & Leo are bff's and con artists. When Summer doesn't hear from Leo after a night out on a private island with a billionaire she just met she begins to worry. Summer gets herself on that island, but she soon finds out it might not be as easy to get herself off of it.

We get some flashbacks to 15 and 10 years ago and I wasn't sure how they would get woven into the present, but it was nicely done. The back and forth between their perspectives and being stranded on a island really built up the suspense wonderfully. Overall, a solid thriller.

This one started out with a bang. I was so invested in the idea of it and what the girls were doing. I was rooting for them like hell yes get that money! But then when little miss leo went and got herself into some mess because she wanted to risk it all to get some extra cash I was annoyed by the choices they started making.
Summer put herself in so many risky situations and omg the suspense of some of the scenes.
Ultimately this ended in a way I was not a fan of. I feel like Wendy does way better with the YA mysteries.

"You Can Trust Me" is a compelling read, meticulously crafted characters that feel authentic and relatable, complete with flaws and motivations. The central bond between Summer and Leo transcends mere romance, serving as the emotional core of the story.

Moreover, the book delves into a critical examination of the wealthy and privileged, exposing their exploitation of wealth and power to manipulate others. This insightful portrayal serves as a thought-provoking commentary.

If you're drawn to psychological thrillers featuring strong female characters and gripping plots that keep you guessing, "You Can Trust Me" is an essential read. Well-written and captivating, this novel promises an emotional rollercoaster. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an hones review. The opinions above are my own.