Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam for providing the eARC!

When I requested this book months ago, I didn't realize it was the second in a series. After reading it, I had to go back and catch up with the first book, which I also enjoyed. Lies on the Serpent's Tongue continues the story of Rowan and Hadrian, whose interactions in the first book left me wondering about Rowan's repeated mentions of lying. While this was addressed in the first book, I found that the romance between the two didn't feel necessary in the second book.

There’s a lot happening in Caball Hollow, and frankly, I didn't feel much chemistry between Rowan and Hadrian. Their banter was fairly average. However, the mystery and thriller elements were definitely the highlights for me. I appreciated that these took up the majority of the story—about 80-90% of the plot, which was exactly what I was hoping for. That said, I did find some of the descriptions a bit excessive, though I usually feel that way in most books unless it's a high fantasy.

The romance felt rushed, so I won’t dwell on that, but I will say that the pacing of the mystery was a bit slow for my taste. Even so, the twists were truly unexpected, and I’m definitely intrigued to see what happens next. I’m eager to find out what’s in store after the surprising return of a certain character. Thanks again for the eARC, and happy release day!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance reader copy of LIES ON THE SERPENT’S TONGUE.

From the opening pages, this novel grabs your attention immediately. The more I read the wider my eyes grew with each new revelation. Right away there’s a sense of a small Southern town between the dialogue and town meetings, plus Rowan’s way of seeing things with her special gift—being able to taste a lie. Only, something strange is happening in town: animals that shouldn’t even be on the continent, people losing memories, a missing family book. Between the romance, supernatural elements, and mysteries that keep the tension growing, readers will be up late into the night just to finish this novel to figure out exactly what’s coming next.

After reading the first book in this series I was really looking forward to this one. I liked the relationship between Rowan and Hadrian. The only issue I have with this series is the pacing. Sometimes it feels like too many things are happening to quickly. I'll definitely be continuing with the next book.

Have you ever wanted to read a love-hate trope but with magic, mystery and old God's and folklore come to life? Then welcome to Caball Hollow's newest mystery, where truth and lies are as closely linked as love and hate are. But beware, you will not be coming up for air once you start this one!

Rowan James has always had the talent to smell lies, whether they are white lies, big lies or little half-truths. The real truth she has found is that everyone lies, especially Hadrien Fitch. But things are disappearing in Caball Hollow, including memories, and the only way to solve what is happening and fix it is to work together.

This story was so rich in folklore, mystery and plot! There are so many interweaving parts and it is packed full of action and emotion. While Rowan is not my favorite character, I loved how her character arced and seeing into her anger and bitterness. If you loved the first in this series you have to pick this one up.

The only reason that you may not want to read this one is if you do not appreciate hard to love main characters. Rowan takes awhile to warm up to, you learn a lot about her and how she processes her emotions throughout the story and really learn how amazing she is at the core. But it does take awhile to see beyond her anger.

This story was so rich, even more so than the first novel. I loved how much it built off of the world built in the first book, while still being a complete standalone story by itself. I found myself even more enthralled with this world and these characters as I read my way through this book and I cannot wait to see what happens next or to reread and see any little things that I missed! Anyone that loves mystery and magic and plot needs to read this series! It has become one of my favorites.

I liked the first book, Bittersweet in the Hollow, but I DEVOURED this. Rowan James is a much more stern and stubborn person than her younger sibling, and she's the one that takes charge and runs into trouble. Rowan takes everything personally and thinks she has to be the one to solve every problem...and there are big problems.

Hadrian Fitch is back and needs Rowan's help, the Bone Tree is dying and Caball Hollow is losing it's path to the Otherworld, and there's perfectly normal humans up to bad and selfish things.

Rowan is also sort of cursed with being beautiful, and only being seen for that instead of who she is as a person. It's made her harsh, and put up walls. Rowan doesn't trust easily, if at all.

Not only does she fight to save Caball Hollow, the Bone Tree, and even the Otherworld, she also realizes she's willing to fight for herself and what she wants.

I CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE IN THIS WORLD. These books are so satisfying and moody.

Here is my review for lies in the serpents tongue. I enjoyed this book and I gave it 4 stars. I had to read the first book because I didn’t know this was a series but it’s was ok because it was also very good

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS

Genre: YA Magical Realism

If you like Wilder Girls & House of Hollow, you will enjoy this one. It is the sequel to Bittersweet in the Hollow but I think you would be ok reading it as a standalone because they explain a little about what happens in the first book.
It is very atmospheric, set in the mountains in an isolated town. Small items begin to disappear, memories vanish, and a neighbor is found dead. Poachers are suspected, but it seems that it could be other worldly.

The main female character has the ability to smell if someone is lying. She is reunited with a character from the first book to help solve the mystery. There is a dash of romance but it’s not the focus at all.

I actually liked it a little more than the first book and enjoyed the dark atmosphere of the book.

Thank you Penguin Teen for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Haunting and beautiful, this was one of my favorite books I've read recently. It's a sequel to Bittersweet in the Hollow, which I also loved. This follows Rowan, sister of Linden, who the first book centered on. Rowan can sense when others are lying and no one is a bigger liar than Hadrian Fitch, the hired worker from her family farm that up and disappeared. But when he shows back up bloody and beaten, it will take both of them to solve the mysteries of Caball Hollow.

I just loved this book. The writing is incredible and it's so atmospheric.

During times of change, life can feel a little uncertain. I often find that when I’m feeling that way, reading a book I’ve been looking forward to is like a soothing balm on a bothersome itch. What better way to kick off a new year of reading than to pick up the sequel to one of my favorite books of 2024?

Not a lot has changed from when Bittersweet in the Hollow left off. Rowan James and her family are still trying to keep the peace in their small town of Caball Hollow. But something (or someone?) seems to be making beloved objects disappear and leaving gaps in people’s memories, and if it’s up to Rowan, she’s going to sort things out and lay them straight.

Rowan has the ability, be it a blessing or a curse, to detect lies. Though every lie tastes a bit different, there’s no mistaking the bitterness that fills her mouth when falsities are spoken. With this unique trait comes a self-imposed responsibility to act in a manner that won’t bring more negative attention to her family, which means that often, Rowan keeps any lies she tastes to herself until she can pinpoint the origins of the falsehood and decide if she should take action or let things, well, lie.

Caball Hollow isn’t necessarily a place I’d want to live, but I do enjoy the opportunity to visit and become acquainted with whatever supernatural menace is haunting the town currently. Lately, it’s been less otherworldly and more real than Rowan would like- she prefers to fight her battles without a team of amateur sleuths popping up every time she turns a corner, but unfortunately the news must be slow because the fact is, her family restaurant has been serving coffee refills to a group of young people toting cameras and notepads that are looking for a scoop that Rowan is determined to keep out of their hands.

Because there is something newsworthy going on in Caball Hollow, Rowan feels it is connected to her and her family deeper than she can fathom. And the last thing her loved ones need is people sticking their noses into business that is best kept under wraps. The James family protects their own, even if that means being forced to welcome in a young man to their lives that they previously employed and who had at one point attempted to leave the Hollow. Armed with her lie detecting and quick thinking, Rowan tries to keep everything running smoothly in her personal life and the lives of those she cares about. Unfortunately, she’s beginning to realize that she can’t do it all on her own and must share some of her secrets in order to keep other more important ones safe.

The last thing Rowan is thinking about is romance, but if you’re much of a reader, you’ve probably learned that a power couple is often just what an author chooses to keep the spark alive in a story that one hero or heroine just doesn’t have the capability to save on their own. The guy who used to work for her family is not Rowan’s type at all, or maybe he’s so much like her that she’s too annoyed to admit it. Nevertheless, he keeps showing up at the most inconvenient times and making her life harder. Pairing up with him to fight against whatever is causing distress among the Hollow may go against every instinct Rowan has, but the truth tastes far sweeter than any lie she has ever heard, something she can’t ignore if she’s to be the savior in this story.

The best endings to a good book are ones that leave you craving more, only to realize that the story truly is over until another book is released. Waiting for another glimpse into Caball Hollow is something I’ll anticipate but that won’t keep me from finding my next favorite book to hold me over until the next release from Kate Pearsall!

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy from Penguin Young Readers Group

This was my most anticipated read of the year and I'm so honored to have gotten an ARC from Penguin Teen. I adore Rowan's character. I could see so much of myself in her. She is stubborn and rash while so loyal to the people she loves. I love the twists and turns Pearsall uses in her storylines. Her writing instantly hooks me in.
Kate's writing will always bring back my passion for reading. I can't put into words how much this duology means to me. I can't say thank you enough to Penguin Teen and Kate Pearsall for the ARC!

When there’s a follow-up to a debut author’s book that you rated five stars there’s always that sliver of doubt about how good it’ll be. We’ve all been burned, right? They don’t call it the Sophomore Slump for nothing. Luckily, Kate Pearsall managed to navigate the tough waters of producing a companion novel (or is it a second in a series, maybe?) to the fascinating and excellent Bittersweet in the Hollow, which I rated five stars in 2023 and have never stopped recommending.

Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue has a lot of the same charm to it that Bittersweet in the Hollow did, even if it lacks some of its warmth. This is likely due to the increased action and adventure in the plot and the decreased time spent around the James family home and business. We spent a lot of the first book in and around all of the members of the James family, learning about each family member and growing to care about them. In this book the plot is more about Caball Hollow at large, the legacy of the James family, and Rowan’s contentious relationship with Hadrian Fitch than anything else.

Speaking of plot, take this as a serious warning: If you haven’t read Bittersweet in the Hollow you won’t understand the plot of this book.

As with the previous book, I was utterly charmed by the folklore, herblore, folk medicine, recipes, spells, and magic in Pearsall’s writing. It was one of the things that captivated me most in BitH and the prodigious use of it in this book was not only important to the plot but also adds so much character and atmosphere to the book I just think it sets the whole thing apart from other books in the genre. I respect the research that had to have gone into the writing process and the due diligence paid to issues that are plaguing our national forests (like are portrayed in the book).

I can’t wait to read the next Pearsall book. Whether it’s another BitH book or something new, I’m eager to see what’s next.

I was provided a copy of this title by the publisher and author via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Amateur Sleuth/Book Series/Fantasy/Folklore/Paranormal Mystery/Paranormal Romance/YA Book Series/YA Fiction/YA Paranormal Romance

This is book 2 in a series that follows sister witches in the mountains of West Virginia. I loved that occasional chapters would have little inserts from their family cookbook with remedies and talking about what plants were in harvest and that small touch made the characters feel so much more real. Also this is the first series I have read about the Mothman and it’s made me want to read more about him. Hoping for another book in the series after this

I completely enjoyed this read! After finishing I found out that it is part 2 of a storyline so I will be grabbing book 1 soon. The snarky MFC Rowan James is what I need in this moment as a main female character, she is witty, strong willed, but has a sensitive side. The writing in this book was great, I did not feel like I was coming in on the middle of a story, the character development, world-building, and plot lines were solid, and the pacing, in my opinion was perfect to assist in maturing the storyline. The mystery just got deeper and deeper the more you read, when one thing was revealed and seemingly solved, it broke open a whole new side of the mystery. It kept me wondering and that was a huge plus for me. There is a romance subplot and I actually liked that it was slight and didn’t take away from the main point of the story. The part that made me smile was the recipes from the family book and the information of what foods are in season during a specific period. At this point I am a member of the James family because I have their recipes now! Hadrian's story was heartbreaking to me, how he came to be in his situation and how he has to live now. The way he spoke of wanting to go home… that small part of the story broke me.

This was a cute cozy, small town, mystery with magic and a splash of romance mixed in for fun.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Group, and Kate Pearsall for the ARC of this book. The review I am leaving is honest and completely voluntary.

Back in the eerie Appalachian town of Caball Hollow, we follow Rowan, one of Linden’s sisters, who possesses a unique supernatural ability; she can taste other people’s lies.

I thought her ability would make it easier to solve the mystery in this story, but that’s not the case. It makes the mystery just as challenging to solve!

One of my favorite aspects of this story, beside the supernatural ability and the beautiful writing style, is the family dynamics.
It’s heart-warming to see the James women always having each other’s back and caring for their small town, despite the way of how some of the people in town treat them.

I’m thrilled to see Rowan and Hadrien as the main characters cause I love their banter and the tension between them in the previous book.
However, just like the first book, the romance is not the main focus of the story.
I would’ve love to see more of them working together to solve the danger lurking around the small town again.

The pacing was a little slow at first, but the twists and turns in the last half of the book more than make up for it, keeping me on the edge of my seat the whole time
That last line at the last chapter really surprised me! It made me wished I had the next book in my hands already!

Overall, Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue is a fantastic addition to the series!
Judging by the ending, the series is far from over, and I’m curious about which sister will be the main character next. My bet is on Juniper!
Well, no matter who it is, I will definitely keep an eye out for the next adventure in Caball Hollow!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: death, car accident, violence, blood

Thank you to Kate Pearsall, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am obsessed with the cover of this book! This was a good book with an interesting premise. I really enjoyed Kate's writing. It held my attention and the attention to detail makes you feel like instead of reading, you are watching a movie play out in front of you.

4.5! I actually liked this one better than the first one in the series. I tend to connect to more prickly main characters and Rowan was giving me prickly and angry in the best way. I was more invested in the romance in this story and felt that there was a more believable build up of a relationship between the characters. I found the mystery to be engaging and thrilling, and did actually find that I was surprised by what happened in the end. I feel that the ending was a little rushed as a result of all of the different mysteries the author tried to pack in, but overall I really enjoyed the plot as a strong highlight in the novel. I enjoyed where they left room for the story to continue in a new novel!

Thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

⋆⋆⋆⅞ — don't have much to say about this. the writing was really beautiful, and i enjoyed the plot. i will say that the romance was very hasty towards the end. rowan and hadrian very much have chemistry, and there's a romantic tension underlying most of their interactions, yes, but i feel like they don't interact that much for them to be all "i love you, i'd die for you" like they were in the last few chapters. 90% of the book is about the bone tree/missing memories plot, and only 10% is romance, so i felt like their relationship should have been left more ambiguous. but anyway, this was really pretty. and i think the ending is possibly hinting at a juniper and james darrow book??? which i am very much seated for, if the author ever goes that route.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.

This isn’t the type of book I usually go for, but I found Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue to be such a satisfying read. Rowan’s journey, as she navigates her magical gift and untangles a murder mystery, was captivating. Caball Hollow’s dark, atmospheric setting, with its eerie small-town charm and hints of magical realism, pulled me in completely.

The romance subplot is minor, but the relationship between Rowan and Hadrian felt genuine, adding a nice layer of tension and heart to the story. While the pacing slowed a bit in the middle, the unfolding mystery kept me engaged and eager to uncover the truth. The conclusion tied everything together nicely while leaving room for more stories in this world.

Even though I didn’t read the first book (Bittersweet in the Hollow), this book stood strong on its own, with everything explained clearly. If you love YA mysteries with magical realism and a dash of small-town intrigue, this one is absolutely worth picking up!

Kate Pearsall's Lies on the Serpent's Tongue is an absolutely beautiful and often tender, thrilling story following Rowan, who can smell lies. Upon entering the world, it. immediately made me want to read the novel it's companion to, Bittersweet in the Hollow. Persall's writing is brilliant, and I look forward to diving in more!

I really enjoyed this book I liked it just as much as Bittersweet in the Hollow. Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue follows another James sister, Rowan, who has a gift where she can tell when a person is lying. Rowan is thrown into a murder mystery and has to team up with Hadrian to find the killer. I loved the dynamic between Rowan and Hadrian. I love a good enemies to lovers trope!

I really loved this author’s writing. This was such an engrossing read. I loved the world that the author created and the characters. I loved following another sister in this world. I hope the author continues on in this series from the other sisters’ perspectives.

I definitely recommend this series to YA mystery thriller lovers.