Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

3.5 stars.

*How far would you go to belong?*

Maya heads back to Princeton for her 10-year reunion, anticipating a weekend full of nostalgia, familiar faces, and celebrating her younger sister Naomi’s graduation. But the weekend quickly turns tragic when Maya receives the devastating news that Naomi has died. The police are calling it an accident, but Maya’s instincts tell her there’s more to the story. As she digs into Naomi’s life, Maya discovers her sister's involvement in the exclusive and secretive Society of Lies—the same society Maya had once been a part of. The more Maya uncovers, the more she fears that Naomi’s desire to fit in may have led her to a deadly end.

The concept of *Society of Lies* immediately intrigued me, and the book starts off strong. The first half was gripping—full of suspense and mystery. Maya's investigation into Naomi’s death, combined with the dual narrative of the present and Naomi’s past at Princeton, kept me engaged and eager to learn more. The alternating timelines helped build tension and mystery, and the exploration of the dark side of university life and secret societies was an intriguing backdrop for the plot.

What I enjoyed most was the atmosphere. The sense of unease that permeated throughout the first part of the book was well-done, and I found myself immersed in the world of elite colleges and the dangerous allure of belonging to something so exclusive. Maya and Naomi were interesting characters, and the secrets Maya began to uncover kept me turning pages. I was particularly drawn to how the past and present intertwined as Maya’s search for the truth unraveled the layers of Naomi’s life.

However, as the story progressed into the second half, I began to lose interest. The pacing slowed considerably, and while the mystery was still there, it became bogged down by excessive detail and a growing sense of disorganization. The plot, which had been engaging and carefully constructed, started to feel more muddled, and I struggled to maintain the same level of investment. By the time I reached the final chapters, I found myself skimming through some sections to finish the book.

The character development, particularly for Naomi and Maya, also faltered in the second half. While I was initially intrigued by both characters, the emotional connection I had with them began to fade as the story became more convoluted. The back-and-forth dynamics between the characters and the shifting settings, while initially intriguing, eventually felt like they were hindering the narrative rather than enhancing it.

Despite its shortcomings, *Society of Lies* still had its moments. The first half was strong, with a gripping mystery and a dark atmosphere that I appreciated. The second half, however, felt like a letdown, with a story that lost its focus and became harder to follow. It wasn’t a bad book, but it didn’t fully live up to its potential, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the execution could have been much better.

In conclusion, *Society of Lies* offers a compelling premise, but it didn’t quite deliver on the promise. The first half was enjoyable and kept me hooked, but the second half lost momentum and became a bit messy. While it wasn’t a complete miss for me, I found myself wishing for a tighter narrative and a more satisfying resolution. I’m still open to reading more from this author, though, as I believe her storytelling has great potential.

I'm a sucker for dark academia, and this one didn't disappoint!

There are always buried secrets when it comes to secret societies at Ivy League schools. We know legacy admissions not only into the school, but into the societies, is something that drives our dark academia stories (and I'm here for it!)

This dual-timeline helps us understand how power can be abused, and heads can turn to cover anything up if you're powerful enough.

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Bantam for my honest review.*

Maya went to Princeton and was in a secret social club. While she encouraged her sister to go to any other college, Naomi goes to Princeton and also joins a secret social club - the same one as Maya. Maya has gone back to Princeton for Naomi's graduation, but Naomi is conspicuously absent from the festivities the night before. And then is found dead. Maya can't help but see the similarities between her experiences and what her sister went through.

Told in multiple timelines and POVs, we learn about how Maya and then Naomi join the Sterling Club and then the super super secret off set of the Sterling Club. And Naomi begins to investigate the death of a student from Maya's time at Princeton.

Well paced and a few twists and this novel is sure to keep your head spinning!

Maya returns to Princeton for her reunion and her sister Naomi’s graduation, only to learn Naomi has died in an apparent accident. Suspecting foul play, Maya uncovers dark secrets about the exclusive Sterling Club, which both she and Naomi were involved in. As she digs deeper, Maya fears her past at Princeton may hold the key to Naomi’s death. I enjoyed the dark academia vibe and the thrilling elements of the story, especially with the dual POVs, which likely added depth and intrigue as the mystery unfolded from multiple perspectives. Those aspects—secret societies, hidden pasts, and a tense investigation—can really heighten the tension and make for a compelling read.

This book was okay for me. I found myself forcing me to read it to finish it but didn’t think about it in between reads.

Society of Lies is an addictive dark academia. This debut novel tells the tale of murder and deceit in dual timelines. Maya must work to put together the pieces of her sister Naomi's life in the months that lead up to her death. Set at Princeton, Naomi follows her sisters footsteps by joining the exclusive Sterling Club and Greystone Society. After learning of Naomi's death and the possible involvement of the most exclusive social club on campus, Maya is forced to revisit her past and the coverup of the death of a fellow student possibly linked to a professor. This slow burn mystery will have you questioning who you can trust.

I really enjoy books that keep me guessing to the very end and this book was no exception. I also enjoy books that are told from alternating points of view. If you feel the same way this book should not be missed. I am looking forward to the next book by Lauren Ling Brown!

I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely very twisty and had me guessing.

I really like dark academia aspects in books and I think the author did well with this aspect. It kept me interested and entertained.

I look forward to more from this author.

What a great read to start 2025! Full of mystery and suspense, this novel leaves you guessing until the very end!

Maya graduated from Princeton ten years ago and now her baby sister, Naomi is graduating. But returning makes her full of emotions and bad memories because there was a death before she graduated. Unfortunately another death rocks Maya’s world and that is her sister. Determined to find out what happened, it may cost Maya her life but, she will not let her sister’s death go unsolved.

This story was well written, told from alternating points of view’s with dates – it keeps the reader in suspense. I loved the thrills and descriptions, it kept me engaged and wanting more. I truly didn’t see the end and that’s why it’s a 4️⃣⭐️ read❗️Thank you to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for the arc – these opinions are my own.

I tried multiple times to read this one and could not get into this book. Maybe it’s me. But I have to officially call it and label this a DNF.

This book has a really good idea behind it. I love the fact that its two sisters and the POV is going from present to both their times at the college. The only issue was that it took FOREVER adding in details that sent the reader on a goose chase when it wasnt even an aid to the story.

I feel like if it was cleaned up a bit, far as what information we consumed, I wouldve loved it a lot more. The ending did totally blow me away. Once I got to part four I didnt put the book down, I had to finish it!

This book started out strong, but unfortunately about 25% in I realized it may not be for me. I was not a fan of the characters and found the POVs very confusing.

This story was too all over the place for me, it went back and forth too many times and confused me quite a bit, the first few chapters I was into and ready to binge the book but somewhere it just started to drop off.

Society of Lies is an intricately woven dark academia thriller that's filled with twists and turns. It was such a good book and a truly
addicting read. I was captivated by both naomi and maya and couldn't put this book down.

I loved the idea of exploring the world of secret societies. This element of the story
was particularly interesting to me. I liked the mystery and the feeling that this secret society was so very powerful.

Overall, this was an excellent read that I didn't want to put down. I highly recommend this it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I can't wait for her to write a new book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a fantastic read. Hard to put down. Reminded me of the movie skulls and the secret societies in schools. I loved the two plots of two sisters told in past and present. A must read for suppose readers!

This book was a twisty look into the prestigious and wealthy 1% at an Ivy League school, with lots of prejudice and work arounds that wealth provides for those who misbehave badly. The back and forth POV was a bit distracting but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

This was a solid suspense story to close out my 2024 reading list.
There were parts that dragged, but for the most part it kept me going. The alternating timelines was done well and I enjoyed the reveal at the end and was pleased I hadn't figured it out!

Thankful for the ARC!

If you love dark acidemia this will be your jam, it has all the mysteries around Ivy league school. I loved the plot and though it was incredibly will written. You hear of these mystery organizations in Ivy league school that nobody talks about. Are they real??? It is about sisters and the secrets they keep and as big sister trying to protect them. What if that fails and your sister is found dead, the need to dig and what you find maybe something in your past you tried to bury. Some things cannot stay buried, and when they surface what would you do make sure the cycle is broken?

How far would you go to belong? Maya returns to Princeton for her college reunion, it has been a decade since she graduated. But this visit is not just about the reunion but also her younger sister Naomi is graduating. But what should have been a fun filled weekend turns dark as her sister has been found dead and the police are calling it accident. Maya is not convinced and the more she digs secrets about her sister and her past are pulled apart and she must face them no matter the danger.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for copy of this book for my honest review.

Society of Lies is a chilling and thought-provoking psychological thriller that will have you questioning loyalty, ambition, and the lengths people will go to fit in. The story follows Maya, who returns to Princeton for her college reunion, only to be thrust into a nightmare when her younger sister, Naomi, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. What seems like an accident quickly unravels into something far more sinister, especially as Maya discovers how much Naomi kept hidden from her.

The author does a brilliant job of weaving together past and present, using Maya's perspective to slowly unravel the dark secrets of both her sister’s life and her own time at Princeton. The atmosphere of the story is tense, with a constant undercurrent of dread as Maya delves deeper into the exclusive world of the Sterling Club—a secretive social circle that plays a significant role in the plot. The suspense builds steadily, with each new revelation about Naomi’s involvement in the club, and the haunting realization that Maya herself was part of this toxic, elitist world.

Maya is a complex and relatable protagonist, struggling with her own guilt and the haunting memories of her college years. Her determination to uncover the truth about her sister’s death, even at the cost of confronting her own past, makes her journey compelling and emotional. The twists, while somewhat predictable at times, are still effective and keep the reader hooked as the story escalates.

The only slight drawback is the pacing in the middle of the book, where the tension occasionally dips as Maya’s investigation gets bogged down in details. However, the final act delivers a satisfying, albeit chilling, conclusion that ties together the mystery in a way that feels complete. Society of Lies is a captivating and well-crafted thriller with a rich, atmospheric setting, complex characters, and an intense mystery at its core. It's a great pick for fans of psychological suspense and slow-burn thrillers.