"The Five Year Lie" by Sarina Bowen is an absolute rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue. From the very first page, I was hooked by Ariel's journey to uncover the truth about her deceased ex-lover, Drew.
The tension is palpable, and every twist and turn kept me on the edge of my seat. The author’s writing effortlessly draws you into Ariel's world, making you feel every shock and revelation right alongside her. I couldn't put it down, racing through the pages to uncover the secrets hidden beneath the surface. With its heart-stopping romance and spine-tingling suspense, this domestic thriller is a must-read for fans of the genre.
I devoured it in one sitting and was left eagerly anticipating her next venture into the world of thrillers.
If you're looking for a gripping read that will keep you guessing until the very end, look no further than "The Five Year Lie".

Very grateful to the publisher for this copy, opinions are my own.

I really did enjoy the premise of this novel, and the first half had me fully captivated. I felt the beginning was perfectly balanced between the tech thriller as the driving force with the romantic element intertwined. If I was grading just the first half, this was a 4.5/5-star novel for me. However, about halfway through, the pace jumped erratically and I really lost focus about what was happening. By the time Ariel left home and got on the bus to Michigan, I could no longer suspend disbelief - I simply couldn't imagine a single mom dragging her toddler through all of that rigamarole. The way she just... fell back in love with the man who abandoned her and their child was so far-fetched and all of the sudden they're back in Maine living happily ever after. Just unbelievable and dropped my rating down to about 3.5 stars. For a first time thriller, I think this is pretty good but I'll be eager to read more and see her Bowen's thriller style develops as she continues to explore this genre.

I know we're not necessarily supposed to comment on edits, but there were some glaring typos and mistakes that were hard to read past - I felt like the author got really sloppy in the second half. Incorrect names, referring to reveals before the reveal even happened (which was kind of a spoiler at times!), and generally spelling all needs to be combed through with a fine-toothed comb before publication.

I was so excited to open The Five Year Lie by Sarina Bowen.
This romance/thriller was utterly fascinating.
The writing was sharp and at a perfect pace that kept me interested.
This author does an excellent job of creating an atmospheric setting that adds to the tension of the story.
The writing itself is well done, and the pace keeps you turning pages.
The author's ability to create suspenseful settings and well-written characters makes this book worth reading. The setting & descriptions really put the reader in the action.
The Five Year Lie is one I found myself pulled into quickly and unwilling to put down.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

EXCELLENT! What a great book! It kept me on my toes! The Five Year Lie is full of mystery, lies, fraud, betrayal, potential murder, romance and love. It also poses questions about the allure of power, the influence of money and what can happen when advanced technology gets into the wrong hands. Just how safe are those personal doorbell cameras that so many people have today? What about all the other technological devices that people carry with them or have in their homes? How about workplace technology? This book was thrilling, tense, gripping and had me rooting for Ariel, the main character, the whole way. 4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the digital ARC.

I absolutely loved this thriller from Sarina Bowen. It had the touch of romance that IS Sarina however with a mysterious twist. I have to say, I had no idea what was going to happen until it happened. It literally kept me on my toes and turning pages. I couldn’t stop reading!

I thoroughly enjoyed the flashbacks of Ariel and Drew and l their budding, secret romance. Receiving that text message from Drew, who had been dead for several years, completely upended her and her son, Buzz, life.

I really hope this is not the last of this genre book we get from Sarina. I hope more are planned for the future.

I'm always a little hesitant when an author writes a different genre than what they are known for. Some do it well, and others aren't quite as successful. Sarina Bowen knocked this out of the park with this one, in my opinion. While parts of the mystery were easy to figure out if you read enough domestic thrillers, this story was absolutely about the twisted journey to the conclusion. Ariel has always tried to be strong, but she truly grows into her strength when she now has someone other than herself to protect. Sarina throws enough subterfuge your way to change your focus while keeping you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the conclusion.

Ariel has mourned and accepted the death of her one true love five years ago, but when she receives a text from Drew telling her that something has happened and to meet her under the candelabra tree, she doesn’t hesitate because he may be alive! When she arrives at the tree and he doesn’t show, all her memories of Drew come flooding back. Did Drew really die in that motorcycle crash five years ago? Ariel stars digging into his personal life, and his work life when he was employed at her father’s company, Chime Co. where they met. Her discoveries could put her life in danger, but she needs to figure out the puzzle of Drew’s secret life.

This book kept my nerdy side engaged with the introduction of Zain. His technology knowledge of cracking cybersecurity codes gave me major spy vibes. Throughout the book, I was rooting for Ariel and Zain to put their minds together and figure out Drew’s mysterious disappearance for the sake of Ariel’s five year old son, Buzz, who Drew never knew about.

This book was INTENSE! I love a good romance thriller with shocking twists, lovable characters, and an unforgettable ending. This book was long, but it was a very fast read with the chapters bouncing back and forth between the past and present. If you love an action packed book, this one is for you.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks/Harper Paperbacks for providing me an advance copy of Sarina Bowen’s #domesticthriller, The Five Year Lie, in exchange for an honest review.

Title: A Riveting Blend of Mystery and Romance: "The Five Year Lie" by Sarina Bowen

Rating: ★★★★☆

In "The Five Year Lie," Sarina Bowen delivers a captivating tale that seamlessly blends elements of mystery and romance. For Ariel, a 30-year-old single mother in Maine, life takes an unexpected turn when she receives a mysterious text from Drew, the father of her four-year-old son Buzz, who left her without a word years ago and tragically passed away soon after. As Ariel grapples with the shock of this unexpected message, she finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue and uncertainty.

Bowen's narrative unfolds with skillful pacing, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Ariel navigates the complexities of her past and the uncertain future that awaits her. The tension builds steadily as Ariel seeks answers, unsure if she's the victim of a cruel prank or if something more sinister is at play.

What sets "The Five Year Lie" apart is Bowen's ability to infuse the story with genuine emotion and depth. Despite its thrilling premise, the novel is grounded in the very real struggles and triumphs of its characters, particularly Ariel as she grapples with the complexities of motherhood, love, and loss.

While the romance in the story may not be the typical go-to genre for some readers, Bowen's deft touch ensures that it feels organic and heartfelt, adding an extra layer of depth to the narrative. The relationship between Ariel and Drew is portrayed with authenticity and tenderness, making it a compelling centerpiece of the story.

Overall, "The Five Year Lie" is a captivating read that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. With its blend of mystery, romance, and genuine emotion, Sarina Bowen's latest novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.

This was compulsively readable...I could not and did not want to put it down. Don't pick this one up until you are ready to binge read it in one setting!

The story has a very interesting premise. "On an ordinary Monday morning, Ariel Cafferty's phone buzzes with a disturbing text message. Something’s happened. I need to see you. Meet me under the candelabra tree ASAP. The words would be jarring from anyone, but the sender is the only man she ever loved. And it's been several years since she learned he died."

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed many of the authors hockey romance stories and I was excited to see that she was writing a mystery novel. The chilling message that Ariel receives from Drew has her looking to the past to find the truth as what she thought was the truth was a lie. The point of view of the story alternates between Ariel in the Present and Drew 5 years in the past. I found Ariel to be a very strong protagonist that was well developed and most readers will be able to relate to her inner thoughts and emotions. I thought there was a nice mix of romance in the mystery aspect of the story. I felt like there were a couple plot holes but that aspect did not diminish my enjoyment of the book. As Ariel delves further in the past more clues come to light that lead the readers on a very thrilling ride to the final reveal.

Thank you Net galley for this advanced reader copy.

4.5/5

I loved this book.
You go through the current times and the past times with Amelia, Drew, and the bad guys perspectives. The story twists and turns. It’s a little predictable but I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to keep knowing what was happening!

Ariel met Drew at the office, her father and uncle's company. He was a new programmer, and she was there because it was job and to appease her family. They kept their relationship away from the office, though. Soon, it ended when Drew left town and ghosted her, unknowingly leaving her pregnant.

Five years later, Ariel receives a text from Drew asking her to meet him. But how can that be? She has since found out that he died in a motorcycle accident. Is someone impersonating him? Ariel HAS to find out what happened to him.

This story is told in Ariel's present POV and Drew's POV from five years ago. It was pretty fast paced and kept me guessing. It is romantic suspense but leaned more towards suspense for most of the book.

Thank you to Harper and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own .

Ariel gets a text, five years late, from a man in her past who mysteriously disappeared. For years, Ariel has moved forward raising her son with zero closure and no answers. However, the text triggers a deeper dive into the series of suspicious events that occurred five years ago, and what she finds out changes everything. This was full of fun twists and turns, so I’d recommend to thriller lovers!

The beginning was very intriguing and captivating. I found myself immediately interested in Ariel’s story, personal family ties, and relationship past. I was compelled from the start! I really enjoyed the changes in timeline / narrator. From the reader’s perspective, this created a fun change in pace throughout the story.

I was very intrigued by the web of a story the business & her family ties brought into the mix, but I thought the romance almost distracted a bit from the main story. I loved some of the subplots, but there was a lot going on, so sometimes felt like too much to fit in. While certain areas were extremely detailed in the beginning and felt a bit slow, other areas were moved on from quite quickly and I felt they deserved more focus.

Overall, I enjoyed this thriller and would recommend!

DNF-ed at 30%. Wasn’t invested in the characters at all, and the plot wasn’t moving in the slightest even after being almost a third through the book. I was comparing this to The Last Thing He Told Me a bit (which I didn’t love either, but at least was incredibly more fast paced than this), and ultimately just wasn’t invested in the story.

The Five Year Lie is hands down the best book I’ve read this year, by far. What a ride. It’s heart stopping, heart wrenching, and heart warming all in one. I had a lot of oh my god how awful, oh my god what is happening. Not to mention oh no, I think (name redacted) is the bad guy. Then OH NO (name redacted) IS THE BAD GUY!

This was a marvelous book. I devoured it and I’m devastated it’s over.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Cover gives a creepy vibe that is why i requested this book.

This has lots of intrigue, mystery and suspense within the book. At page one it sucks you in and had you wanting to know the truth. Of course we like and want to know about the main character her name is Ariel. You learn about her and how she was five years ago and in the present state. She has a son who is Buzz, how can you not like that name, I love the character build and learning about what happened 5 years ago.

The book was written well and i will recommend and read more by this author.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

The Five Year Lie was intriguing, emotional, and full of mystery and suspense! The storyline sucked me in right away and had me very curious as to what the truth was. Ariel is a great main character. I enjoyed getting to know her and learning about her life, both now and five years ago. She's a great mom to Buzz, who is unbelievably cute, I loved him so much! She's also smart and creative. She hasn't always had an easy life, especially the last five years. I enjoyed all the mystery, and Ariel trying to find out the truth about what happened five years ago. I enjoyed a lot of the other characters, but I also had my guard up waiting to find out if they are actually trustworthy. I felt for Ariel throughout the book and not knowing who or what she could believe. That must have been really difficult for her. I really enjoyed the last fourth or so of the book. Things really started to pick up, and things started to fall into place. The Five Year Lie was a very enjoyable and interesting book, Sarina did a great job! *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I went into this request because I love the authors writing. This did not disappoint. A big thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for letting me read an early copy.

I have only one complaint and I will say it first. There is a part of the plot not in the description, that shows up from page one, that is something that really creeps me out. Had I known, I would not have requested it, so I guess it’s good I didn’t know.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The dual timeline really revealed the story in a way that kept you guessing, not knowing what would come next. Even when I thought I knew who or what was going down, I was wrong. This was an amazing read despite it creeping me out.

Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.

This is a fast paced thriller romance book. It takes place in Maine and that alone won my heart. I love the descriptions and specific places that anyone who has been there might recognize. We follow Ariel, a single mom living in Portland. There is a little bit of a dual timeline as we get glimpses of a relationship she had five years prior. She works for a company that is owned by her father and his brother. One day the man she is dating up and disappears without so much as a word. This starts us on a journey to discover what happened.
It is well written and kept my interest. If you like family drama and a thrill, this will be a fun read. There is a great romance involved as well. There is the occasional swear word but overall nothing too bad.

The Five Year Lie is a wonderful romantic thriller. Sarina Bowen shows off her fabulous writing chops in this new genre and it's a huge winner right from the start. I couldn't put down this mystery as a text message begins a wild adventure for Ariel Cafferty and the search for the truth about her son's father, Drew Miller. There are many missing pieces to a puzzle that Ariel had assumed was complete. As she gets deeper into the workings of her family's surveillance company, carefully woven threads unravel for her and the stagnant life she thought she'd be living forever. With each new chapter offering up increasing uncertainty and definite danger, when Ariel teams up with a fellow employee to find out exactly what transpired when Drew up and disappeared and was then presumed dead, that's when I knew I clearly had to hold on tight.

What a storyline. I had my suspicions about Ariel's father and uncle but Bowen very cleverly tries to throw the reader off the path over and over again with new revelations and a 5-year-old cell tower glitch that seems to be the impetus to uncovering the mystery of Drew Miller once and for all. I could feel the tension lurking at every turn as Ariel tried hard to keep her findings with the help of the innocent Zain a secret, knowing her first concern would always be her precocious son Buzz.

And who knew what and why? Although Ariel seemed somewhat convinced that Drew simply didn't want to be with her any longer after their short affair, what is ultimately revealed as the twists and turns keep coming with every turn of the page really did blow me away. There is clear gaslighting going on with those Ariel thought she knew best and I was as gobsmacked as she was as the race against time continues to speed up.

Even those characters who are less than noble add the right elements to this quest for the truth. While danger continues to lurk as Ariel and Zane get closer to the surprise of just who Drew Miller was and perhaps still is, I was impressed by this mother's drive to make sure she and Buzz were safe even when the last few chapters were wildly perilous. This is the edge-of-your-seat kind of storytelling and Bowen does a stellar job with keeping her characters and this reader on proverbial toes throughout.

My one small issue that I feel is worthy of acknowledging, is the use of the words white and black to describe the physical attributes of some of the people in this book. I'm not sure why it had to be pointed out because knowing their race did not change any part of the story. It simply felt out of place and kind of had me scratching my head as to why those words needed to be used. But that's just me I suppose.

All in all, however, Sarina Bowen combines all the elements of a well-written thriller with the right amount of romance to make us appreciate the hurt and pain of not knowing why the love of Ariel's life left so abruptly. She's a great heroine and all that she endures truly gives her a bit of Wonder Woman status. For both this reader and most definitely her son.

I am thrilled Bowen decided to step out of her usual and write this stellar story. From the dedication to one of my all-time favorite people to the intense and very gratifying conclusion, I'd say that this is only the start of what is to come, which is all kinds of fantastic..

5+ big stars!