Imagine that everyone you knew thought that you killed your best friend after an argument. Not only did you lose your best friend but now nobody trusts you. And your only defense is amnesia, it's really not looking good for Lucy.

Lucy left her hometown for L.A. after all these events took place. She left her ex husband and all her doubters in the dust. Well she's down on her luck and her beloved grandmother convinces her to come back to Texas for her 80th birthday party. Unknowingly, it's part of an elaborate scheme to get Lucy to finally tell her story to a podcast that had recently been started to investigate what really happened. Will Abby continue to have amnesia or will the podcaster uncover someone more sinister in Lucy's hometown?

Very, very good book. It kept my attention and kept me guessing until the end. The more you learn, it dawns on you just how much you may not truly know about those around you. I would definitely recommend.

This was such a good thriller! I had a lot of fun reading this and I flew through it on my recent flight.

I really enjoyed the podcast elements of the book and Lucy was hilarious. Her inner dialogue was the perfect dark humor for me and I loved her grandmother!

I didn’t see the twist coming and I was definitely giving the side eye to a bunch of people.

& listen, who needs enemies with parents like Lucy’s? 😂

Special thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this book and was able to also get it in audio. I would recommend getting it in audio because there is a nursery, kind of a cold case where a girl named Lucy supposedly murdered her best friend Savvie but there's hardly any proof besides the fact that Lucy was covered in Savvie's blood and her own blood when she stumbled out of the woods the night Savvie was killed in the woods not far from attending the wedding they were at. Only problem is Lucy doesn't remember a thing about what happened.

Lucy goes back to the town for her grandmother's 80th birthday and her grandmother also invited Ben, host and podcaster of "Listen for the Lie", where he tries to solve cold cases by interviewing people on his podcast that were tied to the case somehow. I liked it in audio because Lucy is laugh out loud funny and also I had a lot of theories on who killed Savvie, but I have to say I didn't guess so this book is a 4-star from me!

I enjoyed this book so much - I really did not want to put it down. I expected an up-all-night- page-turner. But the dark humor and sarcasm surprised me. With Lucy’s snark, the banter (and sparks) between Lucy and Ben, and Beverly’s scene-stealing, this book is great fun. And it is a solid mystery that really does a terrific job of pointing the finger at just about everyone. Since Lucy is such an unreliable narrator, even when the truth starts coming out, you may still wonder if it’s the true story or more false memories/lies.
The book is a fast read, aided by the format of switching between Lucy’s narration and the podcast episodes. This smart plotting allows for multiple voices and really propels the story forward.
I loved this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books, and Amy Tintera for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the format of this book, written as a murder podcast with narrative as an enhancement. Lucy, was the presumptive murderer but never charged or convicted except in the minds of all those in town, heads back home for her grandma's birthday, having left 5 years ago after her best friend Savvy was murdered. Having lost all memory of that horrible night, Lucy herself is unsure whether she is guilty or not, as she was covered in Savvy's blood with a bump on her head. Seeing her ex-husband, and former friends, hearing other peoples accounts as they speak to Ben on the Listen for the Lie Podcast, Lucy slowly begins to remember which puts her in jeopardy. So many twists and turns, I loved the surprises at the end. Fast paced, this will keep you on the edge of your seat for an ending that you won't see coming. many thanks to #netgalley #listenforthelie #amytintera #celadonbooks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Very quick read. Great balance between humor and mystery plus a little bit of steamy. This was my first Amy Tintera book. I liked her style and am adding her earlier books to my TBR.

4.5 stars rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I am not going to lie, I actually enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. I am not much of a podcast’y person, so I honestly wasn’t sure if I would like reading about one. None of the characters (except the grandma- I loved her!!) were particularly likable, which was actually perfect given the context of what happened. There were some far fetched parts but in the best possible dark and twisty ways. I literally sped through this book. I did figure out the “who done it” early on but that didn’t detract from the book at all. Read it- trust me!

It’s always hard to review a book that I didn’t love when it is well-loved by so many. That’s why it’s important to be very clear—I can see why so many love it, but for my own reading tastes, this didn’t work for me.

Right from the start, I couldn’t find a way to get immersed into the story. The humor started off with promise, but eventually it seemed as though it was forced and trying too hard. I was also really put off by the main character’s “inner voice” and her constantly picturing herself killing virtually every single person she encounters. I understand the mysterious, dark tone that the author was going for, but I don’t think it was executed well.

Then there was the issue with the writing style. The dialogue doesn't flow very well. Almost every back and forth conversation between characters is one-line dialogue, followed by another line of dialogue, and on and on it goes. It's not very engaging, and as a reader I couldn't get a feel for how the characters were speaking inflecting, their tone, etc.

I waited for something to grab me. A character, a plot point, a twist, or really anything, and unfortunately it never came. There were a couple standout moments, so I do see potential with this author. This one just didn’t work for me.

I do plan on trying this again on audio once it’s released. The podcast element of the story seems like it would do really well on audio with the right narrators.

This had a pretty unique premise and felt like a blend of Sharp Objects and Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Lucy is a pretty unlikable and hot mess of a character, but also realistic and understandable. Even though she was chaotic, I didn’t find myself frustrated by her decisions. The amnesia plot is also one I often find isn’t executed well, but it made so much sense here and was delivered well.

Love the podcast and mixed media elements here, and suggest checking out the audiobook as well for a more nuanced experience.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC! Looking forward to reading more from Amy Tintera in the future

4 ⭐️

It will be difficult to beat this book out of a top 5 spot for the year. The dark humor alone was enough to keep me entertained. Combined with the podcast and timeline jumps that were perfectly planned made this an exciting read.

Did you ever finish a book and think to yourself, "What did I just read?" THIS IS THAT BOOK! Listen for the Lie is whip smart, fast paced, and wickedly funny. It is sublime.

Did Lucy Chase kill her best friend Savvy five years ago? Everyone in her hometown thinks so, but Lucy has no idea. In fact, she has no memory of that night at all. What she does know is that she was found disoriented and covered in her friend's blood. Lucy is a free woman only because the police do not have enough evidence to arrest her, but that doesn't stop her family and neighbors from believing in her guilt. She leaves Texas for Los Angeles and is trying to restart her life without much success. When Ben Owens, the host of the podcast "Listen for the Lie", comes to town to try to solve the mystery of Savvy's murder, Lucy returns and tries to piece together what happened that fateful night.

With a mixture of Lucy's recollections and podcast segments, we get a picture of the dysfunctional relationships prevalent in small town Texas. Lucy is self deprecating and incredibly sarcastic. Her inner voice is fixated on killing and is one of the most memorable characters in the book. The short chapters, multitude of unlikable characters, and rapid pacing made this an entirely bingeable thriller/murder mystery. Fasten your seatbelt and prepare yourself for a wild ride. Amy Tintera has put herself on the map as a must read author with this phenomenal book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Everyone always thought Lucy killed her best friend, Savvy, after she was found walking from the crime scene with her blood all over her. Five years later a true crime podcast is digging into the case to find out the truth. I really liked Lucy as a character and how the chapters were divided between Lucy's POV and the script from the podcast. This was a fast paced thriller with some twists I didn't see coming.

Tintera did every single thing right in this book in my eyes. A MC who made terrible choices but was so damn funny and lovable, a plot that kept me guessing, and a podcast-in-a-book done 100% right. I loved this so much and just devoured it.

"Listen for the Lie" delivered an enjoyable ride, blending mystery with dark humor and a touch of selective amnesia. Set in the small town of Plumpton, Texas, the story revolves around Lucy Chase, who finds herself at the center of a murder investigation involving her best friend, Savannah (Savvy). Despite being five years removed from the incident and now living in L.A., Lucy is drawn back into the town's dark secrets when podcaster Ben Owens arrives to feature her and the murder on his new podcast. What follows is a gripping narrative filled with shady characters, unexpected twists, and Lucy's dry wit and sarcasm that keep the story engaging from start to finish.

Amy Tintera's comedic mystery is a binge-worthy read, featuring short, snappy chapters and consistent humor throughout. Lucy's character remains relatable despite her flaws. The exploration of the influence of true crime podcasts adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the ethical dilemmas and impact of media sensationalism.

"Listen for the Lie" excels in delivering a captivating and entertaining thriller experience. Tintera's skillful execution of the amnesia trope and solid exploration of themes make this a standout read in the genre. Whether you're a thriller enthusiast or looking to dip your toes back into the genre, this book is sure to keep you hooked until the very end. 🎙️🔍📖

Thank you Netgalley & Celadon books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera (2.5 stars out of 5)
SYNOPSIS: Although there was never enough evidence to arrest her, Lucy was thought to be a murderer…of her best friend. Everyone in her small Texas town believed it was Lucy who killed sweet Savannah. Five years later she has moved away and restarted her life in Los Angeles. Everything seems pretty normal (minus the violent voice in her head) until a podcast brings everything up again and her grandmother invites her back home for a birthday celebration. Everything unfolds when she gets back to Texas, including meeting the podcaster and finally figuring out what happened that fateful night.

MY THOUGHTS: This book had major “None of This is True” vibes with the podcast playing a role in the plot so I was super excited to read the ARC. That being said, there were many things I did not like about this thriller. I did like the grandmother character, who always believed the best in her granddaughter and showed her love that no one else did during the hardest years of her life. I also enjoyed the short chapters that kept the story moving fairly quickly. However, the main character was pretty insufferable. She was sassy to the point of being obnoxious and for some reason, so many men were attracted to that. It was like a child who can’t get attention any way other than acting out. That aspect of her character did not seem to match what she was going through. Lucy’s parents were downright toxic and did not help the situation or their daughter one bit. There were multiple men in the town who were physically abusive and alcoholics. Not to mention, EVERYONE seemed to be having extra-marital affairs. I found it disturbing and almost unbelievable that so many people in one tiny town were maintaining those kinds of relationships so regularly. In the end, the mystery was not so predictable, but by the time you got there, there was no gasp or “Aha! moment.” If you don’t mind the sarcasm and the unfaithful partners, you might enjoy this middle of the road thriller.

I savored every page of this book, it was that good!

Everyone suspects Lucy of murdering her bff 5 years ago and because of amnesia, she has no idea if they’re right

When she returns to the small Texas town for her grandmothers birthday, she meets true crime podcaster Ben, who’s coincidentally covering her unsolved crime!

I’m not exaggerating when I tell you I laughed/smirked/guffawed continuously! Lucy has zero filter and doesn’t give two shits - she and her grandma (who give even less shits) are my ideal characters! They say what they want and kinda delight in the shock factor! I also adore their relationship (think Daisy Darker)

I loved the short chapters and podcast - I’d have loved to have the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, and enjoyed the eBook so much, I ordered the audio from the library (someone tell me if it’s good please!)

I totally loved the final showdown - Lucy is my Queen 🤌

This book really stole me away from life and I definitely recommend finding a quiet spot and falling into this witty and well written whodunnit

Thanks to Netgalley and Celadon Books for access to this eBook ARC in exchange for my honest review

This one has all the makings of a top-10 year end contender for me.

I went into this whodunit blind, but I’m glad I did. Very binge-able, twisty, and sprinkled with sarcasm. 🤌🏼 If you’re not in with that type of humor you may do without this one, but this thriller was right up my alley. Loved the podcast component as well.

Thank you #NetGalley and #CeladonBooks for an arc of #ListenfortheLie in exchange for an honest review.

I've been seeing this book everywhere and with good reason. In a rapidly growing batch of new books centered on a true crime podcast, this one nailed it. I highly recommend the audio version for the full effect.

Everyone thinks Lucy killed her best friend five years ago, and even she isn't sure what happened. With an unexpected dry wit, our main character finally decides to explore the past, spurred on by the podcaster examing the case.

I enjoyed the story from beginning to end, and the narration was terrific.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #CeladonBooks for a free copy of #ListenForTheLie by Amy Tintera.

I finished this in 24 hours because every time I tried to put this book down, I couldn't stop thinking about it. The first line alone captured me. I'm also a sucker for a good mystery thriller with a podcast element. This book was fast paced with short chapters and lots of cliff hangers and because of that, it was soooo hard to not keep reading. There were enough reveals to keep me going and I was never bored.

I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for more mysteries from Tintera in the future and I would recommend this to anyone who loves mysteries with podcasting, amnesia, and flawed characters.

WOW, just WOW! What a riveting and suspenseful thriller that had me on the edge of seat for the entire read. The story follows Lucy Chase who years ago was the presumed killer of her best friend. She's living in LA, miles from her Texas past when a podcasters resurrects the mystery surrounding the murder.

Ben Owens, a smug, incredibly sexy podcaster, travels to Texas to interview those involved in the case. Lucy's grandma lures her home under the premise of 80th birthday, to work with the Ben to secure her innocence. Together, they'll either undercover Lucy's guilt or find the true killer.

Listen for the Lie short chapters , podcast format and insane tension made for an engrossing read from start to finish. The ending YES!

Thank you, Celadon Books