**ARC REVIEW**
3 stars

This mystery whodunnit takes on the perspective of two sisters Maya and Naomi. Ten years apart - Naomi follows Maya and enrolls in Princetown, as well as getting 'bicked(?)' for an eating club Sterling and even more exclusively a secret society within it. Maya is out with college friends and finds out that her sister was announced dead, and she goes on a mission to find out who killed her.

I loved the elite clubs and development of finding out why the sisters weren't super close. I live for a flashback and most of Maya's perspectives were when she was attending school surrounding a tragic event. As the two story lines get closer together the story gets more exciting and tense.

Overall, I liked this mystery thriller. I loved the college based setting, brought me back to good times, and I liked the two perspectives. I do think that it went on a bit, at around 70% I was like what other 30% can happen!? That being said - it did take me a while to guess who did it so... I don't know. Overall, fun, and quick paced read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin random house for the ARC in return for an honest review <3

The Secret Society Sisters offers an intriguing premise with its focus on prestigious secret societies, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The story centers on two sisters, Maya and Naomi, twelve years apart, both members of exclusive societies at Princeton, and both embroiled in a mystery. While the plot contains some twists, including a killer I didn’t expect, the story’s pace is slow and doesn’t quite deliver the thrill promised by its premise.

The mystery unfolds as a slow burn, and while it starts strong, it eventually drags on. I found myself struggling to finish, especially as the book became more tedious around the one-third mark. The idea of secret societies is fascinating, but the plot feels bogged down by unnecessary subplots and events that could have been avoided with one simple action. The criminal activity surrounding the societies also feels overly unrealistic and detracts from the story's credibility.

Another issue is the sisters’ perspectives. Their voices are too similar, which made it difficult to distinguish between them, leading to frequent confusion about whose chapter I was reading. This lack of distinct characterization made it harder to connect with them. Additionally, the sisters’ strained relationship—marked by poor communication and unresolved tension—felt forced and unconvincing.

While the ending was unexpected, it left me feeling underwhelmed, with several plot points left unresolved. Overall, The Secret Society Sisters had potential but ultimately failed to live up to it. It’s a decent read but not one I’d enthusiastically recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book.

I'm probably in the minority here, so let's say this is a "me" problem.

The good: This would be a fun beach read or a light diversionary read. And I want to also say that I think the inclusion of non-white, non-privileged voices at elite institutions is really important. The best part about this novel for me was to read the experiences of characters who are not given stable spaces in their lives. These are important POVs that we don't see enough--and that we need to make mainstream to promote change.

The bad: the plot is fast moving, but the constant switching between two narrators--Maya and her sister Naomi--is dizzying at times, especially since I could discern almost not difference in narrative voice between the two and also because there are three time lines. Both narrations are told in 1st person, and they had virtually interchangeable voices. This was complicated by the same cast of characters--in all three times lines. The characterization, which should have been complex due to the issues I remark upon above, instead is rather flat and the plot becomes a little outrageous.

So this was a miss for me. I was glad to get to read this, however, and would be glad to give this author another try.

I found myself flying through this during the last half. I was so eager and on the edge of my seat to find out what was going to happen! I am especially impressed that this is a debut. The mystery felt well thought out and plotted.
My only complaint is the 3 different timeline/perspectives were a bit confusing as they were so so similar.

While I enjoyed parts of this book a lot of it felt unnecessary so the story didn’t flow as well as I thought it could have. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives and timeline, and the concept of the book was great! However, the way some of the back and forth was structured began to detract from the story, especially when more of the story started unfolding in the latter half of the book. It made it harder to connect and really get sucked into like you want with a mystery/thriller.

The description of this book immediately grabbed my attention, especially with its suspenseful elements of a secret society and the eerie feeling of being chased through the woods. The first half started off strong, pulling me in right away. However, the momentum slowed in the second half, and I struggled to fully re-engage with the story until closer to the ending, where the suspense finally returned. The two sisters’ perspectives felt quite similar, and I often had to remind myself who was narrating. Despite this, once I reached page 150, the story picked up, and I raced through the rest in just two days.

The premise of this book is certainly intriguing, but the pace was a bit slow and I found myself easily distracted. I’d still recommend it to someone who loves dark academia.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Society of Lies by Laura Ling Brown. This Reese’s Book Club pick pulled me into a world of intricate social dynamics and simmering secrets lurking beneath a well-groomed exterior. Brown’s writing is crisp and engaging, slowly peeling back layers of deception and power struggles as the characters navigate their carefully constructed reputations. Although a few plot points felt a bit predictable, the story’s compelling tension and nuanced commentary on truth and image kept me turning pages. In the end, Society of Lies offers a thoughtful exploration of what we hide from ourselves and others, making it a satisfying, if not groundbreaking, read.

I wanted to like this book because it had been on my shelf for a while. It might be my fault for not getting into it because I didn’t read it quickly but I just never felt connected to any of the story or characters.

Maya, Naomi's older sister, became the mother figure after their mother passed away. All she wanted to do was care for her sister and give them the best chance life had to offer. After getting into the most elite secret society at Princeton, the world became her oyster in terms of opportunities, but it came at a cost. Days before Naomi's Princeton graduation, she is found dead in the lake. What do the death of Naomi and the death of Lila have in common years later? Lies, and cover ups.

This is a great whodunit thriller written in two different timelines from the sisters POV. Kept me guessing until the near end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Hidden sects and secrets come to a crescendo in Lauren Ling Brown's Society of Lies, a gripping thriller that delves into the dark side of academia and the cost of climbing the social ladder. Maya reflects on her past days as a member of Princeton's elite eating club and its even more elite inner society after her sister dies shortly before graduation. Was Naomi's death a tragic accident or was she another pawn in a bigger game at play?

The narrative is split between three perspectives. Maya's past and present take up two of them and the months leading up to Naomi's death tell another. While I did find the narrative voices a bit too similar, I was still captivated by each plotline and each delivered their own mysteries and conflicts that were ultimately satisfying. The differing collegiate societies as told by two biracial MCs is really interesting, although sobering in its honesty about the spaces we allow minorities to occupy within ivory towers. Having the sketchy professor be a continual antagonist throughout worked to keep things grounded even as readers' expectations and guesses remain fluid as to why Naomi was killed and by whom. Princeton comes alive as a setting in all its sunlit library academia and shadowy, debauched parties. The relationship between Maya and Naomi is the kind that will leave readers feeling all their regrets - how much do we withhold while trying to protect someone we love? And is that for the better?

Overall, I had a good time reading Society of Lies. Readers who prefer their dark academia a little more realistic and less magical should rush to the shelves. Anyone who has ever joined a clique and later regretted it will cringe through these pages. Sisters with age gaps who could probably talk more will be guilted by this narrative into making a phone call. If you want to escape into the ivy league and claw your way into a better life, then this book is for you. Pick up a copy and join the Society of Lies.

DNF at 43%

I thought I was reading a thriller?! I struggled with this books for several different reasons. The pace is very slow, not much has really happened at this point, the book cares more about race/racism than developing any characters and adding any suspense to the book.

I love the dual POVs, but they are so similar, I can’t remember which POV I am reading.

This book had so much potential and the summary sounded right up my alley, but it was misleading. Such a bummer.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown is a captivating debut that delves into the dark underbelly of elite academia and secret societies. The story follows Maya, who returns to Princeton for her ten-year reunion, only to be thrust into a mystery surrounding her sister Naomi's sudden death. As Maya investigates, she uncovers secrets about the exclusive Sterling Club and its covert Greystone Society, which she and Naomi were both involved in. The novel is a compelling mix of suspense and emotional depth, exploring themes of belonging, privilege, and the lengths one might go to fit in. Brown's writing is vivid and detailed, making the campus setting come alive and adding to the overall tension. The characters are well-developed, particularly Maya, whose journey from a confident alumna to a desperate sister seeking answers is both relatable and heart-wrenching. Naomi's narrative, told through flashbacks, adds layers to the story, revealing the pressures and dangers she faced. I found Maya to be the most interesting character in Society of Lies. Her journey from a confident alumna to a desperate sister seeking answers is both compelling and relatable. Her determination to uncover the truth about her sister Naomi's death, despite the risks and secrets she encounters, adds depth to her character. Maya's emotional struggles and growth throughout the novel make her a captivating protagonist. While the plot is engaging and filled with twists, the pacing can be uneven at times, with some sections feeling slower than others. However, the strong character development and the intriguing mystery make up for these minor flaws. #netgalley #societyoflies

Overall, Society of Lies is an addictive read that keeps you turning pages late into the night. It's a promising start for Lauren Ling Brown, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future

Lauren Ling Brown's Society of Lies is a suspenseful work asking how far will people go to belong? Following the story of two sisters, Maya and Naomi, experiencing Princeton ten years apart, this book continues to forces characters to continue to ask that question. What will you do and what will you stay silent on?

This book is a fantastic look at the elite circle of secret societies and just how far they can reach.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.

A dark academia-style thrill set on an elite Ivy League campus. I found the ending somewhat unbelievable, but it was entertaining. I especially loved the relationships between the characters, and the writing was top-notch.

i really enjoyed this one! i love a dark academia setting, and this one really checked all of the boxes for me. i wish we'd gotten a little more depth in the sisters' relationship dynamic, but everything else was really solid.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review.

Who doesn't love a dark academia novel complete with secret society? I enjoyed this book, but wasn't "wowed" by it.

I was totally engrossed by this dual-timeline read. I loved seeing the (horrifying but addictive) story play out through the sisters’ eyes, a little more than ten years apart.

I had no idea who was the villain until the end. The characters were so well written—I either loved or despised each one of them.

The mystery surrounding (and embedded in) the secret society was fascinating. It’s one of those 0.1% things that I love reading about, especially when there’s scandal and rich people problems—this hit those criteria perfectly.

Overall, loved this and would gladly read the author’s next book!

This was a pretty typical thriller/dark academia for me. I did find it really slow for about the first 70% or so. I enjoy dual timelines but found myself having to go back and see who was talking in that chapter because there are characters that overlap. I enjoyed Naomi's narrative more than Maya, but I felt bad for both sisters. Then ending picked up pace and I enjoyed it. Overall I think it was a good debut. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I love the premise of this book, dark academia and secret societies at an Ivy League school. It started out strong but slowed down toward the middle, where frankly I was bored.
I also found it somewhat confusing with the multiple POV’s, you really need to pay attention to which year you are reading about.
Another thing that drove me crazy was the repetitive use of “out of the corner of my eye” and “ are you okay?” If it was said once it was said easily 50 or more times.
Overall a premise I love but the execution just wasn’t there for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.