This might need to be a part of your life if you enjoy books with folklore legends, forest and town secrets, truths that have to come out, rivals that might need to rely on each other, and YA Dark Appalachian Mysteries.

I loved the atmosphere and feel to this book, with an on edge feel right away from Rowan, and the book kicks off immediately. Now this IS a companion novel to the book “Bittersweet in the Hollow” which by the way is another good book, but I don’t think it’s actually required in order for the book to make sense on it’s own. Although I will note that there are some spoilery bits, so if you are planning on reading both; I recommend reading this one second.

I adore this kind of book, how can you say no to a little bit of weird forest, mixed with magic, mystery and some cozy YA horror? Kate’s writing is light and easy to read with a flair of romanticism that kept me content. I’m very much hoping we get to see more of the James sisters, but if not, I’m looking forward to reading more of Kate’s work.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue returns to Caball Hollow as Rowan James must team up with her old nemesis to track down what is haunting the Forest before it's too late.

I love a sequel that's set in the same world as the first, but follows different characters. It felt like the rom com series approach, except with a mystery at its core rather than a romance. Kate Pearsall's writing is stunning as ever, and while the plot didn't have me glued to the page the way that book 1 did, I loved getting to return to this Appalachian town with these robust and well-rounded characters. Pearsall also does an excellent job of convincing me to suspend my disbelief; aspects of the characters, their skills, and the mystery that would have ordinarily had me a little secondhand embarrassed felt normal and wholly believable within this world and the story's atmosphere.

I definitely think this is a worthy successor to Bittersweet in the Hollow, and I'm looking forward to any additional installments to this series.

4 stars More supernatural mystery in this sequel than what was in the first story but still kept believable in the fact that it is set in the Appalachian region. Rowen is the main in this story and while I liked Linden I think the new perspective of Rowen was needed to set the scene. Pearsall has set the end up to possibly make another story in this series.

I am an absolutely sucker for novels about Appalachian legends and mythology, so this novel was bound to be a hit. And it did not disappoint. I felt like I was walking with Rowan as she tried to discover what is happening in her town. I found myself surprised that I wasn't constantly jumping ahead to guess what was happening- I wanted to take the mystery of it all at the set pace. The end was very satisfying, so I'm glad I did.

Kate Pearsall returns to the eerie, magic-tinged world of Caball Hollow with another haunting installment in the James family saga. This time, we follow Rowan, the eldest sister, whose ability to smell lies has made her cynical, guarded, and deeply distrustful. When Hadrian Fitch—the town’s most notorious liar—shows up wounded on her doorstep, Rowan’s instincts scream to shut him out. But something sinister is creeping through the Hollow, stealing not just objects, but memories, and even Rowan can’t ignore the growing danger.

Pearsall once again masterfully blends Appalachian folklore with a creeping sense of unease, creating a story that feels both grounded and otherworldly. The slow unraveling mystery kept me hooked, and the rich, atmospheric writing made Caball Hollow feel alive—equal parts enchanting and unsettling. Rowan’s prickly personality added a fresh dynamic compared to Linden’s perspective in Bittersweet in the Hollow, and her reluctant partnership with Hadrian added just the right touch of tension and intrigue.

While the supernatural elements are chilling, they never overshadow the deeply human struggles at the heart of the story—family, trust, and the weight of painful truths. The pacing dragged slightly in places, but the ending delivered enough payoff to make me eager for the next installment. If you love slow-burn mysteries with a touch of magic and folklore, this series continues to be a must-read!

Wow, wow, wow. I found a new favorite series!
I happened upon this series because of the cover and was immediatly intrigued.
So I went ahead and got the first book from my library... and binged book one and two in the span of 24 hours. It´s been a long time since THAT happend. It was THAT good.
Reading the first book is a MUST though, or else one would get spoiled for a big reveal at the end of book one, and one might also feel a bit lost.

I loved the family and the sister bonds, the way that their magic was integrated into their characters and the plot was so well done. The love interests in both books were very swoony - but espescially in this one he does have his dark moments ;) But A+ for the banter.

I do hope so very much that we will get a third and fourth installment for the other sisters because I can just imagine how magical those would be.

(I posted my review/first reaction over on Instagram and am currently editing a reading vlog for my YT channel)

Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that Lies on the Serpent's Tongue is a sequel book until I was about 25% into my arc. Overall, I thought the ambience the vibes were excellent. The writing style was very very lush and phenomenally well done. I really liked the characters in the story, but I definitely was missing some things because I had not read the first book. I did think that the mystery was OK. I’m not a huge mystery enjoyer in general but overall, I thought this book put out a strong work. I would not recommend reading this without having read the first book.

This is the second book in the Bittersweet in the Hollow series.
I liked the mystery of the book, and I couldn't wait to finish it.
The characters are incredible, they felt very relatable and lovable.
Just like the first book I loved the ambiance and the writing style.
I highly recommend this series and look forward reading more from Kate Pearsall.

Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

"The smell of a lie is a potent thing, burnt around the edges and foul all the way through."

After a particularly turbulent summer, the women of the James family are just trying to get back to normal and continue serving the denizens of Caball Hollow in the same way they have for centuries. But Rowan James is finding it a little harder than the rest of them, mostly due to the fact that she can smell every time someone lies. And the way the citizens of Caball Hollow will lie straight to your face sets her teeth on edge.

And no one gets under her skin more for their lies than their part time farm hand, Hadrian Fitch. Recently revealed to be a lot more than he seems, he's back after having taken off without a word and he wants Rowan to put her gift to good use. You see, things are going missing and people's memory along with them and the Bone Tree, the gate to the Otherworld, is dying. It won't be long until it's gone for good.

Can she and Hadrian get to the bottom of the goings on before it's too late and someone loses something a lot more precious than an object or their memory.

This was an absolutely perfect follow up to Bittersweet in the Hollow. Picking up practically where the previous book left off, we're quickly immersed back into the world of Caball Hollow. Featuring a lot of the same cast from the first novel, Lies on the Serpent's Tongue deepens the mysteries of the Bone Tree, the James family, the Otherworld, and the Appalachian Forest surrounding the town. And with the ending we're left with, I have no doubt there will be more to learn in the future!

I really enjoyed getting the chance to follow in the footsteps of another James woman. Rowan is a stubborn, hard headed woman. Tenacious, fearless, and fiercely loyal, she will do just about anything for those she holds dear. Intelligent with a good head on her shoulders, she makes for a compelling lead.

I also very much enjoyed learning more about the mysteries of Caball Hollow, the way the Otherworld is tied so tightly to every little thing that goes on in that town and how even the smallest of mountain towns can hide the darkest of secrets. Ms. Pearsall just has a way with bringing you deep into the story and holding you there enthralled until the very last page. It was a hard book to put down!

The James women are clearly not done yet and I for one cannot wait until the next installment. I have a sneaking suspicion who the next James sister featured will be and if I am right, it won't be one to miss!

I’m so happy that I finally got to read this book! The first one is one of my faves of all time!! This story follows a different James sister, Rowan and we get to see her explore this world with the moth winged man and these poachers looking for ginseng, with some romance sprinkled in! This one didn’t grasp my attention quite like the first book however I love watching this world grow and we are learning more about the James Women’s magic along with the other side! I cannot wait for the next book!

Hadrian disappeared from the farm and Rowan was just fine with that. After knowing that he is The Moth Winged Man and all the sacrifices that were made by her mother and Linden to save the ones they love, Rowan isn't sure she can forgive him anyway. She finds herself pushed into volunteering for a position in the woods at a fire watch tower working for Vernie the head Forest Ranger.
She begins to notice things that are out of place and should never be in these woods. This leads her to find that the Bone Tree which is what connects their world to The Otherside seems to be dying. With this people's memories start to go except according to Hadrian they are just memories not that she cares what he says now that he has suspiciously shown back up. Tales of The Wampus Cat a being from folklore have begun circling around. Something is happening and Rowan will have to make her own Sacrifices to figure it out.

I want to thank #Netgalley for the chance to read #LiesontheSerpantsTongue by #KatePearsall in return for a fair and honest review.
If you loved #BittersweetintheHollow you will love the follow up!

4-4.5 stars
I'm quite enjoying this mystery series set in the Appalachian mountains and hope there are more books to come. The first book focused on one of the daughters in the James family (healers and herbalists who each have a magical gift) and this one focused on a different daughter. I would love to have a book centered on each daughter--and maybe one on the mother and one on the grandmother! While I think this would work as a standalone, I'd recommend reading the first one first.

The characters are well-developed and I really like the combination of regional folklore and magical realism with a dash of romance thrown in. The plot is also good and keeps you guessing.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

The sequel to Bittersweet in the Hollow, a book about a magical family living in a small Appalachian town, tinged with mystery and even a bit of horror (also cryptids!), Lies on the Serpents Tongue follows another James sister, Rowan, who can taste lies.
I loved this book almost as much as I loved the first one, I think Kate Pearsall is such a beautiful writer, and the world she creates is full of magic, whimsy, mystery, pain, and love. The setting is so immersive, the characters and their relationships are wonderful, and the mystery/thriller aspects are gripping while still feeling cozy. I love this series, and really hope there is more to come.

*Thank you Penguin Teen for the ARC!

The second book of the James family, set in Cabal Hollow in the Appalachian mountains.

This time we are reading in Rowan's POV. In the first book, Rowan wasn't especially my favorite of the James sisters, but I loved it so I gave her a chance anyway. I loved this book even better somehow.

The Appalachian setting, the mystery, and the mountain folklore were the perfect mix to hook me from the very first chapter. I would recommend this in any classroom setting wishing to juxtapose and discuss folklore crossover and similarities with that of folklore in the UK. It's fascinating.

I can't wait to see if this series will continue. There are more James family members and I'm still very invested!

Thank you to Randomhouse for sending me a complimentary digital book through Netgalley. All the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This review is currently posted to Goodreads

The is the second book in the Bittersweet in the Hollow series. While I have not yet read the first I absolutely loved this entire book.
Sisters Rowan and Linden both have special and unique abilities. One can smells lies and one can taste the feelings of others. The story is both Dark and Delightful from beginning to end. The writing is almost lyrical, the characters are strong and the story holds you captive.

This is a series that will create life long readers.

Thank you NetGalley and G. P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the electronic advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion

Lies on the serpents tongue is a quick read about truth,lies, deception. I absolutely loved this novel.

I liked this book! That being said, I did not enjoy it as much as the first, so as a sequel it was a little disappointing. But it was good!

Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the #gifted copy of this book.

Summary: Flowing right from the tumultuous summer, Cabal Hollow slowly returns to normal and the James women are coming to terms with their new secrets. But there's no rest for the weary as something new is haunting the town and stealing items, along with memories. Rowan's gift is to detect when someone is lying, but can she trust the one person who has lied the most to help her solve this new mystery?

My Thoughts: I absolutely love Kate's writing because it just draws me in and doesn't let go until the book is over. This book was just as good as the first one. I loved the banter between Hadrian and Rowan, which continued from Bittersweet in the Hollow. The two were destined to be partnered up and it was fun to watch their relationship grow. The mystery throughout this book had me guessing until the very last page. I love how the clues are there all along but there is so much happening that you get distracted before you can solve it. The sisterly bonds in this book are one of my favorite aspects because they are always there to support one another no matter what.

I grew up in an area in Ohio in Appalachia and would hear about some of these crazy stories, so it's fun seeing them come to life in this series. Though it is a series, this book could be read standalone, but I highly suggest you read it in order to get the full effect!

Read if you love:
👀Mystery
✨Fantasy vibes
⛰️Appalachian Settings
👯‍♀️Strong Sisterly Bonds
💖Enemies to Lovers

I enjoyed 'Bittersweet In The Hollow' and would recommend reading that first before reading this. I think that this is a good follow up. The story flows really well and is paced well. The characters are entertaining and well developed. I really enjoyed this and if you enjoyed the first book I think you will too. Special Thank You to Kate Pearsall,Penguin Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue was a nice companion to Bittersweet in the Hollow. I DEVOUR books that are set in Appalachia – and this one was no different. I really like the James Family and the atmosphere of the novel. The Mountain folklore-witchy vibes are everything. Not to mention Mothman. We love Mothman.

This was a YA mystery, and it did keep me guessing. When I did think one thing was going to happen, it was something else, entirely and was just a lot of fun to read.

Rowan is a force to be reckoned with and I related to her a lot. There’s a moment when she is told that just because she can do everything by herself, doesn’t mean she should have to. And I think a lot of people can relate to that sentiment.

Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel! It was a treat!