This was a quick, entertaining read about loss, deception, and friendship. I can honestly say that there wasn't any character that I particularly loved, but the main protagonist had at least some redeeming qualities, including her love for her child. There were unpredictable twists and despicable acts that were like watching a car crash that's hard to look away from. I loved the writing style, which was descriptive, but not overly so, and had an addicting quality to it. The story was intriguing, and I was left overall satisfied by the end. I rate this one three and a half stars rounded up.

Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer, for this ARC.

This was just okay for me. I enjoyed it, but nothing really stood out to me. I would read more from this author

Jocelyn, Rowan, and Cadence tell this story of a pre-wedding getaway in Wales gone wrong. Know in advance that their voices aren't distinct from one another but that won't much matter. Someone is dead but who? They all knew something was creepy about Marcus and Valentina-the other guests at the B&B-but are they the problem? These women have been "friends" for many years but they don't like each other, which comes through loud and clear. This is a familiar plot but Ischaso has embroidered it. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Chelsea Ichaso’s So I Lied weaves a compelling tale of secrets, lies, and the unraveling of friendships. The novel centers on a group of girls embarking on a trip, though each carries a burden of secrets they are desperate to keep hidden. As the journey unfolds, those secrets begin to surface, exposing the fragile dynamics of their relationships.

Ichaso’s storytelling is immersive, with a steady buildup of tension that keeps readers hooked. The pacing is well-balanced, offering moments of intrigue and character development before delivering the twists that redefine the narrative. The characters, though flawed and secretive, are relatable in their struggles, making their revelations all the more impactful.

The plot twists are one of the book’s standout elements, adding layers of complexity and unpredictability to the story. While the premise might feel familiar to fans of thrillers, Ichaso’s execution breathes fresh life into the genre. The writing is sharp, with just enough suspense to keep readers guessing until the final pages.

Overall, So I Lied is an engaging read, perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and stories about complex friendships. It’s a testament to the ways secrets can both bind and break people, and Ichaso delivers it with skill and finesse.

I really enjoyed this read! It was fast paced, kept me on my toes, and kept me engaged the entire time.

The characters were all unreliable and pretty darn unlikable, but it was clearly a very intentional choice by the author. At one point, I disliked a character so much I was rooting for them to be the one that turns up dead 😳

Every time I thought I knew the direction it was going, I was very wrong. Each twist, even the minuscule, made this story so much more engaging.

I also enjoyed the multiple POVs in addition to the NOW chapters.

The ending had a satisfying resolution, but wasn’t perfectly tied up with every conflict rectified, which I always enjoy as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book!

what.

No really. what.

The entire book you never know who, what, where, how, why everything is happening. From the betrayals to creepy happenings to the weird coincidences between friends and between strangers. When you have it figured out, you don't. Edge. Of. Your. Seat. The entire book. You will hate everyone at least once and then not. and then feel for them. THE EMOTIONS. You will feel them. All of them.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

I'll be honest, I'm not sure if I liked this book or not. I can't super frustrated with unreliable character narration. All the people in this book have lied so many times. I think it's hard for them to keep track of what is real and what is fake.

I also had a feeling about what really happened, although it was way more complicated and after the 4th or 5th accusation I again became a little frustrated.

I did like that the ending had a clear concise finale, but it was almost too convenient like they pulled a rabbit out of a hat just to wrap everything up. I honestly would have liked it better if one of the friends actually did it. It would be more authentic I think,. 😂

Also, as a person who reads books in 1 to 2 days, this took me about 4 days. It was a whole lot of she said, she said.... And you never really get to the whole picture which can be confusing

Thank you netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

digital ARC was provided by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer

So I Lied opened my 2025 greatly!

Synopsis
Jocelyn, Cadence, and Rowan are three best friends celebrating Jocelyn's engagement in North Wales. The three have been friends for ages and are bounds by secrets more than they can handle. The trip to North Wales might be the one they need or break them all.

What I like
I was so involved in the reading, much more so that I read it on the span of three days and savouring every bits. The three friends had their own personality and, like most human, some of them sucked, big time. I might dislike one when her story came up, but then felt pity when her pov came up again.
The secrets that they hide worked well too. The unraveling didn't come all at the same time, but little by little. Just when you think you knew everything, well, you were wrong. And I like to be proven wrong in reading.
Although there were many (at least six to seven) major characters, but the limited three povs made it bearable to read. Not a waste space.

What I don't like
There were so many layers on the secrets that I think some subplot should be moot. It just acted as some random (although not really) red herrings. There was a point where I asked myself if the story will go another way unimaginable, but thankfully, not.

Final thoughts
As a love of this genre, I can say that this book managed my expectation. No meek and or boring characters, expect the unexpected, and most of all, enjoy the reading experience.

3.5 rounded up. I enjoyed this book. It is a story of 3 friends on a bachelorette trip and everyone has their own secrets. This story is told from multiple POVs. I always love a good unreliable narrator.

"So I Lied" by Chelsea Ichaso is a masterfully crafted thriller that delves into the complexities of friendship, secrets, and betrayal. The narrative follows three women—Rowan, Joss, and Cady—whose seemingly unbreakable bond is tested during a trip to Wales. As layers of deception unravel, the story takes readers on a suspenseful journey filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Ichaso's ability to create an atmosphere of tension and intrigue is remarkable. The dual timelines and multiple perspectives add depth to the characters, making their motivations and vulnerabilities palpable. The portrayal of "messy women" navigating the consequences of their actions is both realistic and compelling, offering a fresh take on the thriller genre.

The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter revealing new secrets that keep the reader on edge. The intricate plot is tightly woven, leading to a climax that is both shocking and satisfying. Ichaso's exploration of the dark side of love and friendship is unrelenting, making this novel a standout in its genre.

In conclusion, "So I Lied" is a twisty, unrelenting gem that will captivate fans of psychological thrillers. Ichaso's adult thriller debut is a testament to her storytelling prowess, delivering a richly satisfying read that lingers long after the final page. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a gripping and thought-provoking thriller.

So I Lied 4⭐️
Secrets, drama, lying, toxic friendships, and murder… oh my!

3 friends travel to Wales to celebrate Jocelyn’s upcoming wedding. Jocelyn, Rowan, and Cadence have been friends since high school, although their relationships with each other have ebbed and flowed. High school friendships don’t always translate to adulthood. These three seem to force the friendship when they don’t really even like each other, but nothing an international trip won’t fix, right? They arrive at a small bed and breakfast (owned by Jocelyn’s aunt and uncle). The B&B is secluded and only hosts 2 other couples, but the women can’t shake the suspicious vibes of the other guests.

Chapters are told from Jocelyn, Rowan, and Cadence’s POVs, with chapters in the present interspersed. The ‘Now’ timeline chapters are short and mysterious with an unknown narrator. One of the friends is found dead, but the reader is unsure who it is.

While this was a bit over the top at times, it pulled me in and was entertaining. The characters were well rounded and distinct. I found myself feeling very strongly about one of the characters and secretly hoping she may be the one to meet her demise 🫣 I liked the suspense that came from getting bits and pieces from each POV and the mystery from the chapters in the Now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Pub Date Jan 28 2025

“The scream rings out beside me, piercing my ears, tearing through the whistling wind. ”
Here are reasons to read the Thriller book:

Welsh getaway - Jocelyn, Rowan, and Chelsea are having a Welsh getaway to celebrate Jocelyn’s upcoming wedding
Couple - They check into Jocelyn’s Aunt and Uncle’s bed and breakfast, and find themselves next door to a couple who will not leave them along
Unalive - As we go between the present, and what actually happened in the past, it’s clear that at least one person does not make it out alive.

This author is one I will pick up over and over, and I always love a thriller that takes place during a vacation. And while this book pops between 2 timelines, it also pops between 3 different points of views, being the 3 women on this trip. The real problem is that these characters are all hiding something and all unlikeable to a certain extent. The ending was pretty apparent to me, but don’t let that keep you from just enjoying the ride and the suspense.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It started quickly and kept up the same pace throughout the whole book. While, I wouldn't say it was extremely fast paced, the writing kept me engaged throughout the entire novel.
The idea of reading another book about 3 girl friends on a trip and they ask have secrets, was a little unappealing at first. I've read plenty of books with that M.O. but this one was definitely my favorite of the sub genre. The characters were flawed. I wouldn't say they were all unlikable, but a couple of them were the worst. So there was a huge chance for great character development and I think the author nailed it. The twists were unexpected, but not so much that they didn't make sense. The whole story flowed so naturally, I just really enjoyed this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the early release of So I Lied. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately I did not connect very well with the characters or plot. That being said I feel like it was more of a me issue than a book issue. I am planning on reading more of this authors work because I do feel like I would enjoy her other books and that this one was just not for me.

Told from multiple points of view of three old friends who reunite for one of their bachelorette parties. Uncover old secrets and lies that some thought would be taken to the grave.

This book was mysterious and had multiple unreliable narrators which I love in a thriller.

This was fun!! A short, twist read! I own a couple other hooos by this author and this was definitely the push i needed to read them asap!

I struggled with this one. I am not sure why because secrets and lies and scandal are my go to's in thrillers. Maybe it was because I didn't like any of the characters. I found myself zoning out throughout the book unfortunately. It could just be me not being in the right mood for this book. I seem to be in the minority though so if you're feeling inclined to read it, do pick it up and don't listen to my review as it seems many others loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an arc of this book, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

This was an enjoyable adult debut by the author. I really like Chelsea Ichaso's YA books, and it's always fun to see author's dipping their toes into other age ranges. You can definitely see some glimpses of YA writing in this, but overall, it is a really good adult mystery/thriller book!

The characters were very unlikable and unreliable, but it's also very clear that they are written that way on purpose. I really liked that element in this. The NOW chapters were a really fun add-on to the book, and they kept me constantly guessing about who ends up dead in the end.

The twists and turns were fun and fitting, and I didn't see most of them coming at all!

I would recommend this especially to those who have only read YA mysteries and want to try out an adult mystery for the first time, but this would work well for regular mystery readers as well!

So I Lied is a gripping, can't-put-down thriller. Three friends have traveled to North Wales for a bachelorette party. With the stress of her upcoming wedding, Jocelyn needs a relaxing weekend with her girls. While Rowan used to be the life of the party, she has quickly had to become the responsible one of the group since having her own child and losing the father in a terrible tragedy. She hopes to be able to let loose on this trip. Cadence simply does not want to be a part of this weekend, but she couldn't not go, since Jocelyn is one of her closest friends. With all three women hiding dark secrets, tensions could not be higher. When two strangers insert themselves into the bachelorette weekend, events take a drastic turn. Who are these two strangers, and why are they showing up everywhere?

So I Lied is fast-paced and exciting. There were so many twists that I absolutely did not see coming. The story is told through multiple POVs with the author really developing each character. There were plenty of times that I had thought I had figured everything out and was completely mistaken. I had no idea who to trust. The author also did a great job describing the remote bed and breakfast and the northern Welsh countryside. If it wasn't for all of the drama and tension, I would totally be wanting to visit. I will absolutely be recommending this book to anyone looking for an excellent thriller!

Three friends travel to another country on a bachelorette trip, but their adventure quickly turns sinister.

I really enjoyed this read! It was fast paced and kept me eager to turn each page. The chapters were a nice length and I always enjoy multiple POV. The synopsis doesn’t give away much into the full story, so I encourage going in pretty blind! I didn’t know what to expect but I didn’t mind, it was a fun & fast read.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

Chelsea Ichaso is so good at creating a great, suspenseful and twisting novel. I was so attached to the book, just waiting to see what happened next, because I felt like anything could happen next.

The plot revolves around three women who have been friends for years- Jocelyn, Rowan, and Cadence - and they’re celebrating Jocelyn’s bachelorette party at her aunt’s isolated Welsh B&B. But as the week progresses, not only does the group find themselves creeped out by some fellow guests, but they begin to feel cracks in their own friendships, as secrets begin to surface. And boy are they going to test the limits of even these lifelong relationships.

The book is set up so that we know something does eventually goes horribly wrong, but the who’s, what’s, why’s are what the rest of the book fills in, and I definitely didn’t guess what was going on before it was revealed! There were enough twists and suspects to give plenty of options, so anything was possible.

And it really did feel like the next chapter could have anything happening - because there was so much craziness going on, but in a good way. Lots of lies, secrets, and strangeness going on, there’s a little bit of everything! And I loved it. The atmosphere was full of suspense and the setting - a Welsh inn, surrounded by woods filled with ancient standing stones used in ancient rituals- was perfect.

When the ending was revealed, I was very satisfied with the outcome. It’s a good one. It felt complete, and wrapped up things nicely.

Chelsea Ichaso is a great author and I’ll be putting her on my list of must-reads for tge future!