This was probably the most aggravating book I've read in like forever. It was interesting but a bit on the dramatic side and repetitive in many places. It's hard for me to say exactly how I feel about this one. It was ok and the thing that saved it for me was the ending. I loved the last two chapters of this book so much. I also still think Lucy was guilty.... Maybe.

The "Let's Kill" drove me nuts. A few times would have been enough to get the picture. But I guess a ghost can overdo anything. Or a figment of one's imagination if you will. Voices in a person's head or a ghost, whichever it was it was a bit much at times. Savvy seemed to live in Lucy's head a lot. In many ways I can understand that. They were best friends after all.

There were parts of this book that drove me to exasperation. How Lucy's ex didn't believe her. How her parents could think the worst of her. How everyone in this town thought she was a killer yet she never went to jail. I just didn't buy that part. From how she was described I think she would have been put away for life. But that made it interesting.

Then we have Ben the podcaster. He's going to solve this murder and see that whoever killed Savvy is found out. He was somewhat likable but he was also to easy. There were things he did that I don't believe he would have really done had he been doing exactly what he said he was doing. (You'll have to read it to know what I mean I think)

I almost liked Ben. I almost liked Lucy. I detested Alex, Lucy's ex-husband. I don't buy that he changed either. I did not like her parents either. No wonder she moved so far away and refused to visit. I loved her grandmother for the most part. Yes she was a nut, but in a good way. She wanted to get to the bottom of things and clear Lucy so she cooperated with Ben in many ways. The way she talked and things she did with her own daughter, Lucy's mother, had me rolling in laughter. She was definitely a hoot.

Overall this book was ok. It was not as good as I had hoped but still it was ok. It kept me wanting to read to find out who the killer was. I suspected the one they arrested but just couldn't stop thinking there was something missing. I guess I will have to except the ending as it was and say that Lucy was innocent... But I have a few doubts.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AmyTintera, #CeladonBooks, for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

3.5 stars. Read and decide for yourself. Seems I am in the minority about my rating but it is what it is. Enjoy!!

GUYS! This thriller is a MUST READ. OMG, this thriller took me by surprise and I am so obsessed with it.
First of all, the FMC, Lucy has the most hilarious inner monologue and made this book so enjoyable. I am so obsessed with this character, I want this book to be made into a movie just so I can see more from her! I seriously could hardly care if she was a murderer or not, because I just loved to see how her mind worked.

True crime podcast thrillers are completely hit or miss for me but this was such a hit. I think Ben Owens was the perfect character. He was tough and ruthless when he needed to be but also could add a lot of empathy to his character and somehow the author made us root for Lucy and Ben even though they were on opposite sides.

The twists and turns were insane but still so believable, I loved the side drama and side characters, and the ending was CHEFS KISS.

Overall, EVERYONE needs to read this book!! I can’t wait to see what y’all think and I can’t wait to read more from this author! 🎧

Listen for the Lie was so good!! It was everything I look for in a thriller. I couldn’t put it down! I loved how it went back and forth between Lucy’s POV and the podcast. This story kept me guessing the whole time. The ending was very satisfying and didn’t leave any loose ends. Everything was plausible and believable. The dialogue was well written, the characters were solid. 5 stars!

Quick and easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s well-written and I could’ve easily devoured this in one day if I didn’t have children. One chapter leaves you thinking you know who did it, and the next will lead you in a different direction entirely. I’m usually pretty good at predicting murder mysteries but this one left me guessing until about 75% in, when I pieced it all together.

Great story! Lucy’s best friend Savvy is found murdered and Lucy is found wandering with Savvy’s blood all over her. And no memory of what happened. 5 years later Lucy goes back to her home town for her grammas birthday. A true crime podcaster is in town to delve into the old murder of Savvy. Did Lucy kill her? Well this book takes you on a rollercoaster ride. It’s so good and keeps you guessing to the end!.

Five years ago, Lucy’s best friend Savvy was murdered, and Lucy is found wandering the streets dazed and covered in Savvy’s blood. Lucy swears she cannot remember what happened, and because Savvy was so beloved in the community and Lucy not so much, everyone assumes Lucy murdered Savvy, even if the police could never prove it.

When we meet Lucy, she is living in L.A. trying to make a fresh start for herself, but when she learns that Ben, the host of the popular true crime podcast “Listen for the Lie,” has decided to investigate Savvy’s murder again, Lucy knows she has to return to Texas and help him find the killer, even if the killer turns out to be her.

The premise for this book grabbed my attention right away! I was fascinated by Lucy’s determination to find out what really happened even if it meant incriminating herself. I also loved that even though we’re supposed to be on Lucy’s side, she wasn’t the most reliable narrator so I could never fully trust what she was saying. Her internal monologue was fantastic too. I loved her dark sense of humor!

Another element I really enjoyed were the podcast episodes. It was interesting to follow the investigation this way and I liked how the episodes were interspersed throughout the story. Those episodes, combined with the twisty plot, and the short, fast-paced chapters made this a very bingeable read. I flew through it in just a few hours.

I have to admit I was a little nervous going into Listen for the Lie because there is so much hype surrounding this book. I’m so glad I gave into the hype though because this book is such a fantastic read, definitely one of my favorite thrillers of the year so far.

I really enjoyed this one! This was one of the most interesting and well-written thrillers I have read in years. It doesn't feel basic or tired whatsoever, and it used the podcast aspect really well. I liked the small-town Texas setting and did not figure out how everything fit together. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers as this one is absolutely worth your time.

I really enjoyed this one! I listened to the audiobook, and I was fully immersed in this mixed media thriller. The suspense and tension was on another level, and I found myself on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen. I was all in! A whodunit mystery thriller, this story was an easy binge for me. I flew through the audio, fully invested in finding out what really happened to Lucy's best friend, Savvy.

Not only was the story gripping and thrilling, but it was funny! I love funny thrillers, and the author wrote Lucy to be witty and sarcastic. I loved the dark humor components of this book. Lucy was extremely well developed, as we got to know her in present day, as well as flashbacks to when she was a teenager. We also got to see her dysfunctional family dynamic play out as well. Well done!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love true crime, and I love the sub-genre of books about true crime podcasts. Pair that with a really fascinating mystery about who killed Savi (thanks to amnesia, nobody knows—but everyone suspects Lucy), and you have a winning plot.

I really appreciated Ben’s tenacity, and I didn’t mind his blurring the ethics lines of journalism for the sake of furthering the story.

I appreciated that Lucy and her grandma had opposing but amazing personalities together. Grandma and her lifestyle are the epitome of what I hope I’m like at 80. I would have loved to know a little more about the after. And I very much loved the voice in Lucy’s head. It added levity (though maybe not intentionally?) to some very dicey situations.

Overall, absolutely killer book that I enjoyed very much!

"Listen for the Lie" offers a compelling read with its compulsively readable narrative and snappy chapters. The incorporation of the podcast element is well-executed, adding depth to the storyline without overshadowing the present events. One standout character is Grandma Beverly, a delightful presence that adds warmth to the narrative.

However, protagonist Lucy's character arc presents a mixed bag. While her initial humor and snark provide amusement, it gradually veers into territory that feels more abrasive than endearing. Her seemingly reckless behavior becomes increasingly grating, especially given the serious allegations she faces. Similarly, the prevalence of infidelity and moral ambiguity among the town's residents may leave readers feeling uneasy, though it does contribute to a plethora of red herrings.

Despite the shortcomings in likable characters, the story maintains momentum, particularly in its latter chapters. The podcast angle seamlessly integrates into the plot, enriching rather than distracting from the unfolding events. While Lucy's character development may initially give pause, her resilience in the face of trauma becomes increasingly admirable as the story progresses.

"Listen for the Lie" offers a blend of dark humor, suspense, and character-driven drama. While it may not appeal to those seeking wholly likable protagonists or pristine small-town morality, its fast-paced narrative and intriguing plot twists make for an engaging read.

Almost didn’t read this one because it was getting too much hype but so glad I jumped on the bandwagon.

As a true crime podcast listener, naturally I loved the podcast plot line. I thought it was well done and always enjoy when the narration is broken up by some transcripts.

Best part was the playful writing style!

5⭐️

A few years ago my husband and I stumbled upon true crime podcasts while we cruised around with our happily headphoned & distracted kids in the back of our suburban. It became apart of our long road trip traditions to fall into a trance with the soothing voices of popular podcast hosts. Even if they were discussing murder weapons and ALL of the trigger warnings. 

When I saw Listen for the Lie being teased on NetGalley I had to contain my excitement because I knew without a doubt that this book was in fact written for me. 

A small town murder, a suspect that has no memory, and a true crime podcast host determined to uncover the truth no matter what it takes. 

This fantastic read is for the book besties that love:

* Single POV
* Podcast transcript + interview 
* Sarcasm & witty banter
* A little spice
* Epic plot twists
* A little paranormal fun
* Small town Texas vibes
* Fast paced, bingeable read

I am jealous of anyone who is sitting down to read this book for the first time. I am jealous of the reader who is just discovering this book. It is thrilling, addicting, relatable, binge-worthy and so much fun. When I say I ate it up, I’m talking devoured.

If you are in the mood to sit and lose yourself in a book, this is the one. 

Thank you to the author @amytintera, @celadonbooks and @netgalley

I've read a fair amount of thrillers and this has to be one of the best! I was immediately engrossed in this nail-biter of a story! I couldn't turn the pages quick enough in this fast paced murder mystery.

Lucy Chase returns to her hometown five years after the murder of her best friend, Savvy. Everyone thinks Lucy killed Savvy, including Lucy herself, but the problem is no one can prove it and Lucy can not remember a thing. Ben Owens, a handsome and enigmatic podcaster, thinks he is going to crack the case as he leads Lucy back to that horrific night.

It can be hard to bring this level of suspense across an entire book, but it was brilliantly done. I loved the podcast episodes - they lead to more questions than answers and leads to more twists and turns in the story. Brilliantly done! I loved it!

Dark and hilarious at the same time, Listen For The Lie has completely exceeded my expectations. I loved every second of this book and it's now quite firmly the one to beat for 2024! I was already a big fan of a 'True Crime Podcast' trope but this story dealt with the medium in a really fresh and exciting way. The characters were such a laugh and that's not easy to portray in a crime novel but the story also dealt with some difficult topics and I thought that this was a really sensitive way to bring in the subjects that could be quite harrowing. I would be so happy to read a sequel and really hope there is one on the cards!

This is the best thrillerI have read in a while. Were the characters believable--not really, but the plot was suspenseful and I was guessing until the end.

This was wildly entertaining! It was fun to follow along as a reader while the characters are also trying to figure out who murdered Savvy. Lucy definitely got on my nerves at some point, but I still really liked her. I could see this being a series and follow Ben’s podcasts.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

THIS BOOK. WOW! I saw an article that said this was her first ever adult book and I cannot wait to read them all! Even with a large cast of characters, I felt like I knew them all and was immersed in this plot! Absolutely 5 stars!!!

Lucy is found wondering the streets covered in her best friend’s blood and she has no recollection of the events leading up to Savvy’s death. She was never proven guilty as there was never enough evidence to prove that Lucy did in fact kill Savvy and her memory of the night never came back. Fast forward 5 years later, the unsolved case gains interest when a true crime podcasters starts digging into the small towns murder. When Lucy finally returns to Plumpton, Texas from LA, she is encouraged to face her past and hopefully help solve Savvy’s murder with the help of the one and only podcaster host Ben Owen.

You know when you pick up a book and are hooked from page one? This is one of those. The plot had me wanting to read this one, but I definitely was drawn in by the podcast perspective as well as the very sarcastic humour Lucy kept the entire novel. I loved this small town vibe because everyone just starts pointing fingers at each other and so many Plumpton secrets are bound to come out. Come for the murder, stay for the drama? I could honestly go on and on about this one but honestly if you are looking for a mystery/ thriller novel with a podcast weaved in, this one is absolutely a must read!

✵𝖬𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖢𝖾𝗅𝖺𝖽𝗈𝗇 𝖡𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗌, 𝖠𝗆𝗒 𝖳𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖺 ＆ 𝖭𝖾𝗍𝖦𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗀𝗂𝖿𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖠𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾𝖽 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋’𝗌 𝖢𝗈𝗉𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝖾𝗑𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝗒 𝗁𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐.✵

The audiobook was fantastic. I love that it has a different narrator for the podcast portions and even a theme song. Very well done and entertaining. The story was well paced, kept me interested and was not at all predictable.

I was able to listen to the audio for this book and I think that is the best move- the production is incredible.
I feel like podcast based thrillers have been pretty popular and I have read a few. In this book, Lucy is suspected of killing her best friend but she remembers nothing from that night. A true crime podcaster comes to town to try and solve the case.
There were some elements that didn’t quite work for me, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. I really liked Lucy’s grandma! I had a hard time putting this one down and I think it’s a crowd pleaser.